Notch’s ‘Nuttin Nuh Go So’ Goes Silver In The UK

Notch’s Dancehall hit Nuttin Nuh Go So is now certified Silver in the United Kingdom, 23 years after it was released on Tony Kelly’s classic Buy Out riddim.  

According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the song was issued the Brit Certified Silver Award on Friday (November 29) after it sold over 200,000 units in the UK, as measured by The Official Charts Company.

Notch, whose real name is Norman Howell, first gained prominence as part of the duo Born Jamericans. The group, formed in Washington, D.C., fused dancehall and hip-hop on their Billboard-charting debut album, Kids from Foreign (1994), and their follow-up, Yardcore (1997).

After they disbanded, Notch embarked on a solo career, showcasing his versatility as a vocalist and songwriter. His connection to the reggae and dancehall landscape deepened with tracks like Nuttin Nuh Go So, where his sharp lyrics and memorable melodies shone.

On collaborating with Notch, Kelly had high praise for the singer’s artistry. 

“Notch is one of the easiest but more technical artistes to work with. Easy in terms of his melodies and his pen game is off the chart, so he comes prepared,” he told the Observer. “Technical in terms of all the pieces and backgrounds he has in his head. As long as you have an empty audio track he’ll find a spot to put a harmony, ad lib, filler. An amazing artiste.”

Released in 2001, Kelly’s Buy Out Riddim also spawned major hits such as Sean Paul’s Like Glue—currently certified gold in the UK—T.O.K.’s Money to Burn, Mr. Easy’s Drive Me Crazy, Beenie Man’s Miss L.A.P., and BUD’s Tonight.

The producer revealed that the riddim was created five years before its official release, around the same time he produced the Bookshelf Riddim (Sean Paul’s Deport Them, Beenie Man’s Bookshelf, Mr. Vegas’ Jack It Up).

“I love to experiment and go against the grain, you know, like creating a new path. And when I get new equipment (rackmount keyboards at the time) I’d dive into the sounds to see what and what [may] stimulate me and give me a vibe and speak to me like ‘use me, use me’. And then my creative juice just starts flowing,” Kelly explained.