Charly Black Talks European Tour, New Single ‘Oxtail Extra Gravy’

Dancehall artist Charly Black is currently on a high as he continues his European tour that started on February 9 and runs to March 9, 2024.

The Party Animal deejay is slated to perform across France, Belgium and Germany. “The tour has been good so far. The fans [are] accepting us but the [cold] weather is saying something else,” he told DancehallMag.

The Trelawny native, whose real name is Desmond Mendez, further said that the tour is aimed at maintaining a presence in certain parts of Europe. “My hopes for the tour is to stay relevant with my fans in France because it’s been a while, and also introducing them to singles,” he reasoned.

The entertainer released his debut 6-track EP So Many Reasons via Universal/ Aftercluv in 2021. Rio Bueno, his 11-track debut album, which included You’re Perfect and Gyal Extra Sexy, followed later that year.

However, he severed ties with the label last year on a sour note after what he had described as a five-year waste of time. Black said he feels liberated and is open to signing another record deal.

“My career after parting with Aftercluv is on basically the same; [I] only [have] more freedom. I am open to the right deals,” he told DancehallMag.

In the same breath, he is imploring his compatriots to be wise before putting pen to paper with international labels. “Make sure you prioritize your freedom, and also consider if the record label is on the same page with your career and goals,” Charly Black said.

His sophomore album No Excuses, was released on February 24, 2023 and distributed via ONErpm. The project featured collaborations with several of his compatriots, including Richie Spice, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, and Sean Paul. 

The deejay is currently promoting his latest track, Oxtail Extra Gravy, which he says is a “crowd pleaser.”

Black, alongside Sean Paul, was among the 50 most-played artists at Electronic Music Festivals in The Netherlands for 2022, according to Billboard Magazine in late February 2023. 

This is an honour that he has held close to his heart. “ ⁠It is a wonderful feeling to be streamed in the top 50 when there is so many great talents worldwide. To be honest, I just make music people with different cultures can relate to and have fun with in the same space.”