Gyptian was born Windel Bento Edwards on October 25, 1983 in St. Andrews, Jamaica. His family took after his mother, a Seventh-day Adventist, and regularly attended church on Saturdays. It was there his family, not the singer began to believe one day he could be selling Gyptian tickets and albums. His parents tried desperately to get Windel to meet with Mr. Wong, a producer in nearby Portmore. One day they finally dropped him off, and from that day forward he has been working hard to become the star his parents' envisioned.

Mr. Wong and Earl Chinna Smith helped the young singer develop his vocal styles. There work eventually paid off, as Gyptian won the 2004 Star Search competition at Ken Wild Flower Lounge. This was more than just a local talent competition. As the victor, Gyptian performed at Sting 2004, an annual music festival in Jamaica, one bestowed the "greatest one night reggae show on Earth."

That night began a quick ascension in the national music scene for the man dubbed Gyptian (named so because he often tied his shirt around his head and twisted his chin hair in the semblance of an Egyptian pharaoh). In 2005 he released two hits, "Is There a Place" and "Serious Times." In 2006 he enjoyed some international acclaim, nominated for Best New Entertainer at the International Reggae and World Music Awards thanks to the popularity of "Is There a Place," "Beautiful Lady," and "Mama, Don't Cry."