Reggae Singer Maxi Priest Earns UK Silver Certification for "Close to You"

The British reggae veteran's reggae-pop classic surpasses 200,000 units in the United Kingdom, according to the Official Charts Company, earning his first-ever UK certification for a single

British reggae veteran earns his first UK single certification

British reggae singer Maxi Priest's classic hit "Close to You" has officially been certified Silver in the United Kingdom.

The certification was issued by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on Friday, July 3, after the single surpassed 200,000 units in UK sales and streams, according to figures compiled by the Official Charts Company.

Released in 1990 through 10 Records as the lead single from Priest's fifth studio album, Bonafide, the song was written by Priest alongside Gary Benson and Winston Sela, and produced by Handel Tucker, Geoffrey Chung and Lowell "Sly" Dunbar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDMbcPSXkRVgQ&v=MbcPSXkRVgQ

"Close to You" became Priest's signature crossover hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart, and No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart. Its accompanying music video was directed by Geoffrey Baris.

The song was previously certified Gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America after surpassing 500,000 units sold. It also received Gold physical sales certifications in Australia and Sweden.

The new UK Silver award adds to Priest's certification history in his own country, where three of his albums inclduing Maxi from 1988, Bonafide (1990), and The Best of Me from 1995, have all been certified Gold.