GYPTIAN JOINS FORCES WITH MARY J. BLIGE

Reggae Star Added to Blige's UK Tour

(VP RECORDS, NEW YORK) - Reggae star Gyptian continues to sizzle this year as he now joins forces with the iconic Mary J. Blige. Gyptian will be breaking from his tour schedule to join the R&B queen on the England leg of her UK tour. He takes the stage on November 2 at The O2 Arena in London, the same venue Michael Jackson was slated to headline for his infamous 'This Is It' concert. Gyptian then heads with Blige to the LG Arena in Birmingham on November 3, before resuming his own tour. Gyptian has been touring consistently since releasing his current album Hold You this summer, even joining Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Nas on several dates of their recent 'Distant Relatives' tour in the US.

Gyptian was enlisted for Blige's new single, "Anything You Want," which is expected to be on her new album. The reggae-infused track also features Busta Rhymes and has been receiving steady airplay since its release in early September.

This exciting concert collaboration was secured by Planet Reggae, the new booking division of VP Records/Greensleeves Records, with AEG, the world's #1 concert production company.

"These are the opportunities that come about by having the #1 record label in reggae enter the live-touring business," states Neil Robertson, head of Planet Reggae. "Our brand lends credibility and comfort for the major international talent buyers. When you combine that with a great artist like Gyptian and a manager like Ivor Ruddock, who both understand the bigger picture, you can expect more high profile opportunities which are good for the whole genre."

Gyptian has been heating up the UK scene recently, with his performance at BBC Radio 1Xtra Live in late September, and will return on October 20 for the MOBO Awards, where he's nominated for 'Reggae Artist of the Year.'

For more information on Gyptian, including his tour calendar, visit his artist profile at www.vprecords.com/gyptian. Please direct all press inquiries to the VP Records Publicity Department - Rhona Fox at 718-425-1151 or rhona.fox@vprecords.com.