Olaf Blackwood

Olaf Blackwood (born 5 November 1980) is a Jamaican singer-songwriter and record producer.[1][2]

Olaf Blackwood
Blackwood in 2019
Blackwood in 2019
Background information
Born (1980-11-05) 5 November 1980
Lacovia, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record Producer
  • Composer
  • Songwriter
  • Vocalist
  • Entrepreneur
Years active1995–present

Early life

Blackwood was born in Lacovia, a village in Jamaica's Saint Elizabeth Parish, where he helped support his family's farm throughout his childhood. As a child, his two passions were soccer and music. Inspired by his uncle Errol Blackwood, the lead singer of reggae band Messenjah, Blackwood dropped out of school at sixteen and traveled to Kingston to pursue a music career.

Music career

Blackwood recorded his first single for Garnett Silk's record label in 1995. He then released music for Mario C Productions on the Artillery rhythm.[3] After struggling to find success in Jamaica, Blackwood migrated to the United States in 2002. In the United States, he has written and produced songs for entertainers such as Shaggy and Tessanne Chin.

Blackwood achieved commercial success in 2017 with the single "I Need You", an Armin van Buuren and Fernando Garibay song for which Blackwood served as a featured vocalist.[4][5] "I Need You" was certified platinum by the RIAA and peaked at #7 on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart.[6]

Blackwood also mentors aspiring songwriters through his publishing company, Holland Bamboo Publishing.

Feature discography
Year Title Artist Album Source
2016 "Can't Lie" Safaree Real Yard Vibes [7]
2017 "I Need You" Armin van Buuren and Fernando Garibay N/A [4]
2019 "Keep on Calling" Niiko x SWAE N/A [8]
"Love Me Now" Shaggy Wah Gwaan?! (bonus track) [9]
2020 "Don't Say That" Miles Away and VENIICE N/A [10]
2021 "On Your Mind" Spice 10 [11]

References
  1. "Cloud 9 Press Release". Archived from the original on 19 January 2018.
  2. "Recording artiste Olaf Blackwood's fashion must-haves". jamaica-gleaner.com. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  3. "Mario C Jamaica Observer Article".
  4. Bein, Kat (6 January 2017). "Armin van Buuren & Lady Gaga Songwriter Fernando Garibay Drop New Single 'I Need You'". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  5. "Olaf Blackwood collaborates with Armin van Burren & Fernando Garibay on hit single". 11 February 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  6. "Billboard Netherlands Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019.
  7. "Billboard Safaree "Can't Lie" Premiere Interview". Billboard.
  8. "djTimes Single Release article". 28 June 2019.
  9. "Album Track Listing on Discogs". Discogs.
  10. "Genius Lyrics "Don't Say That"".
  11. "Album Track Listing on Reggaeville".
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