Alkaline’s “Txtin'” Featuring WSTRN Secures Silver Certification in the UK
Dancehall artist Alkaline has achieved his first Silver certification in the United Kingdom for his 2017 track “Txtin“, featuring the British hip-hop trio WSTRN. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded the Brit Certified Silver Award on June 21, acknowledging the sale of over 200,000 units in the UK, as measured by The Official Charts Company.
Produced by RazorOnTheTrack, “Txtin’” explores modern dating culture focused on phone communication. Alkaline’s verse highlights a preference for direct, in-person interactions, including a ‘no-phone’ rule at home. The music video, filmed in Jamaica, has amassed over 47 million views on YouTube, and the track has nearly 30 million plays on Spotify. This marks Alkaline’s first UK certification.
Alkaline’s other top streaming tracks on Spotify include “Love Yuh Everything” with 30 million plays, “Gyal Bruk Out” with 16 million, “Ocean Wave” with 11 million, and “Things Mi Love” with 10 million. These figures reflect his growing popularity and influence in the music industry.
WSTRN, the group featured on “Txtin’,” is made up of Akelle Charles, Haile (Ras Haile Alexander), and Louis Rei (Louis-Rae Beadle). Originating from West London, WSTRN’s name reflects their roots. The members share a Caribbean heritage, with Akelle and Haile’s parents from Grenada and Guyana, and Louis’ parents from Jamaica. This background significantly shapes their musical style.
“Soca and reggae are foundational for us. Growing up, we listened to what our parents did and later explored other genres,” said Akelle in an interview with Loop News. He noted that his father was in a reggae band with Haile’s dad, which naturally influenced their musical direction. “It wasn’t something I planned from a young age, but everything fell into place, and because I enjoyed it, it made sense.”
WSTRN was formed in 2015, coming together through their initial collaborative sessions. They quickly gained recognition with their debut release “IN2,” which is now certified 2X Platinum in the UK. Their 2017 dancehall track “Ben Ova” has also been certified Silver in the UK.
The trio has worked with several prominent Jamaican artists, including Dexta Daps on “Influence”, Stefflon Don on “Special,” Skillibeng on “Unload,” and Lila Iké on “Never Leave.” These collaborations showcase WSTRN’s ability to blend various musical influences.
In May 2024, Akelle was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition. Despite this, WSTRN continues to maintain a strong presence in the music scene.
The Silver certification of “Txtin’” highlights the success of Alkaline and WSTRN’s collaboration and the lasting appeal of their music. Both artists continue to make significant contributions to the dancehall and hip-hop genres, and this achievement underscores their impact on the global music industry.
