Jamaican dancehall artiste Malie Donn is making an early international statement with his debut studio album, The Golden Child, landing at No. 2 on the US Apple Music Reggae Albums chart within its first 24 hours.
Released on September 4 through VP Records, the 21-track project moved ahead of Masicka’s Forever Reign on the US reggae chart, giving the Spanish Town-born, Portmore-raised artiste a major debut on one of the world’s largest music markets.
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The album also entered the Top 10 on Apple Music reggae charts in several Caribbean territories, suggesting that its early momentum extends beyond the United States and Jamaica. Apple Music lists The Golden Child as Donn’s latest release, with 21 songs spanning his melodic, trap-influenced dancehall sound.
Born Kymalie Hylton, Malie Donn has emerged as one of the younger names gaining attention in Jamaica’s current dancehall scene. His rise has been fueled by songs including “V6,” “Van Cleef,” “Van Cleef Pt. 2,” and “Holiday,”building a growing audience at home and internationally. Billboard named him its Caribbean Up-and-Comer of the Month in August.
The Golden Child reflects that progression, combining themes of ambition, resilience, confidence and personal growth with the modern dancehall sound that has become central to Donn’s growing catalogue. The album includes collaborations with Squash, Byron Messia, Javo Donn and Antuwang, while production credits include DJ Frass and other established Jamaican producers.
The title track, “Golden Child,” featuring Squash, was released shortly before the full album and reinforces the project’s themes of perseverance and elevation. Donn has described the album as a reflection of the pressure, growth, victories and lessons that have shaped his journey.
The No. 2 debut gives Malie Donn a strong opening to what could become a defining period in his career. With the project gaining traction across Caribbean markets while simultaneously breaking into the US reggae chart, the young artiste is demonstrating that Jamaica’s newest generation of dancehall performers can still translate local momentum into international attention.
