Dancehall sensation Beenie Man is riding the high train for 2023. The self proclaimed “King of the dancehall” was recently nominated for a Reggae Grammy taking place in California this coming February. His song “Who Am I,” produced by Jeremy Harding, has achieved RIAA Gold Certification in the United States, more than 26 years after its initial release. The certification signifies that the song has reached the sales and streaming equivalent of 500,000 units sold in the US. The song earned its Gold Certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 15th. This recognition is a significant achievement, especially considering the extended period since its release. Also known for its catchy chorus “Sim Simma,” it played a crucial role in launching Beenie Man’s prolific and Grammy Award-winning career when it was released in 1997. It was part of his “Many Moods Of Moses” album under VP Records.

The song’s popularity is evident in its influence on other artists. American rapper Redman sampled the first line of “Who Am I” in his 1998 single “I’ll Bee Dat,” and rapper Nelly referenced the chorus in his 2000 single “Country Grammar.” The song has been sampled in over 30 other tunes, including recent releases. This Gold Certification represents a significant milestone for both Beenie Man and producer Jeremy Harding. It is their first song to achieve Gold status in the US. Despite controversy over certain lyrics before the song’s release in 1997, Beenie Man saw it as a selling point. The controversy did not prevent the song from becoming a major success. Overall, “Who Am I” not only played a crucial role in the careers of Beenie Man and Jeremy Harding but also left a lasting impact on the Dancehall genre and beyond. It’s a coincidence that his album “Simma” was recently nominated for a Grammy.