September 15, 2023
article reposted by Chelsea
No Games, a massive hit for singer and producer Serani in 2008, has been certified gold in Germany.
The certification commemorating sales exceeding 200,000 units, was made available by Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI) which translates to Federal Music Industry Association in English, in its recent 2023 report which was posted on its website on Thursday.
No Games, which peaked at #55 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 2009, was previously certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in October last year for sales exceeding 600,000 units.
In a previous interview with the Jamaica Observer‘s Splash, Serani shared his appreciation for the accolades that the song continues to reap.
“I’m happy to know I’ve accomplished something that seems almost impossible to many musicians throughout our struggles. It makes me feel like this is why I never gave up. Makes me feel like there’s much more to be accomplished. Makes me remember never to count yourself out when even many do. Believe in yourself,” said Serani.
The song No Games is featured on the popular Unfinished Business rhythm and was a #1 hit locally before it crossed over to urban radio in the United States.
It is featured on Serani’s debut album of same name, released by Phase One Music/Rockstone Media in October 2009. It rose to #77 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.
Serani said he had no expectations that No Games would’ve been the hit that it became.
“I try not to live my life having such strong expectations. What I would say is I had loved the song and I believed that during my moment in 2007/2008 any well-made song that I released had a stronger chance of being a hit,” he shared.
He recalled the recording session for the song that became his signature hit.
“Jordan McClure of Chimney Records recorded me at his studio. I did multiple takes because usually when I record I don’t know the song word for word. I’m usually reading the words from my phone while recording. I’m generally uncertain of each melody I’ll use or each line or which tone of voice to use for each word or line. So, I do them part by part. Jordan did a great job with vocal direction. I remember it like it was yesterday,” Serani disclosed.
Serani (real name Craig Marsh) started out as a musician and he later evolved into music production. He contributed to Sean Paul’s 2005 Grammy-nominated album The Trinity, having co-produced the Billboard-charting single We Be Burnin.
No Games, he said, has been a life-changer for him.
“Border lines have been crossed, and I gracefully walked across while they’ve allowed me to go all over the world. The song continues to grow and borders continue to get crossed.”
In 2020, No Games was sampled by American rapper Eminem in his song Farewell, which was included on his multi-platinum selling, chart-topping album Music to Be Murdered By.
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