Fifteen years after the release of his chart-topping single ‘Hold Yuh,’ internationally acclaimed artist Gyptian is clarifying the narrative surrounding the song’s global success, particularly the role of the remix featuring Nicki Minaj. In a recent interview circulating on social media, Gyptian emphasized that while Minaj’s involvement introduced the track to a broader audience, the song was already a mainstream hit before her collaboration. He asserted that ‘Hold Yuh’ played a pivotal role in elevating Minaj’s career rather than the other way around. Gyptian stated, ‘The original track was the bigger one. She got bigger from the song. Don’t make the American dream sound like it’s more when it’s really not.’ He further explained that Minaj was an artist on a mixtape at the time, and the song’s success was driven by its inherent quality, not her contribution. Gyptian also highlighted that the revenue generated from the track was not due to Minaj’s part, as her remix was not officially released. The artist, who has largely avoided industry politics, felt it was time to set the record straight after more than a decade. ‘We’re big men now, so it’s time to set it straight,’ he said. ‘In reality, the song did it for her because nobody knew her outside of New York.’ Released in 2010 by VP Records, ‘Hold Yuh’ was a monumental success, peaking at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 69 on the Canadian Hot 100. It helped reintroduce Jamaican music to the global mainstream and earned Gyptian accolades, including a Soul Train Award and a MOBO Award. The track was certified gold in the US in 2013 and double platinum in the UK in 2024. Music experts and fans have defended Gyptian’s claims, noting that ‘Hold Yuh’ was a massive hit even before Minaj’s involvement. The song’s official music video has garnered over 181 million views on YouTube, while the track boasts over 280 million plays on Spotify.