German reggae singer Gentleman, born Tilmann Otto, developed a passion for Jamaican music during his first visit to the island at age 17, inspired by artists like Dennis Brown, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Sizzla, and Anthony B. His career in music began in 1997 when he collaborated with the German hip-hop group Freundeskreis on their track “Tabula Rasa,” showcasing his unique singjay skills. Gentleman’s debut album, Trodin On, released in 1999, blended dancehall and hip-hop, and marked the beginning of the “Germaican” music movement, although it didn’t gain international success. He has released three albums with VP Records, with the most recent one being his MTV Unplugged project in 2015.
His 2002 album, Journey to Jah, marked a significant turning point in his career, focusing on roots reggae and influenced by the birth of his son, signaling a shift away from controversial themes to more positive messages. The album featured collaborations with respected reggae artists like Morgan Heritage, Capleton, and Luciano and was produced by prominent figures such as Richie Stephens and Bobby Digital. Gentleman maintained his popularity with interim releases like the “Runaway” EP and the live CD/DVD “Gentleman and the Far East Band” in 2003, as he toured globally, expanding his audience. In 2023, he covered “Help!” by the Beatles for Rub-A-Dub Soul.