Ginjah Holds West Palm Beach Reggae Chart Top Spot for Six Weeks

Reggae vocalist Ginjah is riding a wave of overseas attention after Lay On My Pillow climbed to the summit of the Island Gold Radio Top 10 Reggae Chart in West Palm Beach and has stayed there for half a dozen weeks in a row. For the artist, the run stands out because no previous release has dominated that ranking for so long.

“When I heard Lay On My Pillow hit the charts, I felt elated. As an artiste, you always want to know your music is reaching places, but this right here is special. Six weeks at the number one spot and still holding strong. This is my first time having a song stay this long at number one,” he told the Observer.

Born Valentine Fraser, Ginjah said Beres Hammond chose his stage name—a gesture he still treasures as he builds his catalogue. A native of St James who spent his formative years in Central Village, he credits those surroundings with shaping the heartfelt tone listeners hear on his tracks.

“My upbringing influenced my music deeply,” he said. “I came from an environment where you learn resilience, humility and real emotion early. That’s why my songs carry so much feeling — they come from real experience.”

Juna Vill Records issued the single on March 13. Ginjah said the idea grew out of an honest exchange with his partner.

“This song came from a real moment. Talking with my girl, I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if you come lay on my pillow?’ Just to note, most of my songs are from my conversations. I sing for the ladies, so the message I want them to get is that someone cares,” he said.

He also saluted the station, its audience, and his label for helping push the track beyond Jamaica’s shores.

“Big thank you to Island Gold Radio, all the listeners, and Juna Vill Records — this is a true collaborative effort,” Ginjah said.

Chart traction abroad, he added, affirms that his work is maturing and finding listeners outside the island.

“International recognition at this stage of my career means growth and confirmation. It shows the music is not just local— it’s reaching hearts across borders. It motivates me to keep creating from my experience and to represent the culture the right way. This is only the beginning, trust me,” he said.

With Lay On My Pillow still winning reggae fans overseas, Ginjah urged younger Jamaican performers to stay the course.

“My advice to up-and-coming artistes is this: put God first, take your craft seriously, improve your writing, your performance and your mannerisms. Always believe in yourself no matter what. Trust the journey, put in the work and results will fall at your feet,” he said.