The Jamaican flag's colors are yellow, green and black. The yellow is a symbol representing sunshine and natural resources. It's not surprising that Winston Foster chose Yellowman as his dancehall reggae moniker. A cancer survivor and albino, Yellowman, has toured religiously with his Sagittarius band worldwide and will perform Oct. 5 at the Belly Up Tavern
During the '80s dancehall frenzy, Yellowman was the king of slackness (vulgar behavior or lyrics), earning the crown King of the Dancehall. Toasting is the reggae version of rapping, and Yellowman mastered the art form, turning mediocre riddims (rhythms) into major hits for producers.
Yellowman's lyrical flow and songwriting abilities were impressive as demonstrated in the track “Yellow Like Cheese,” a catchy, almost reggae pop song that's a crowd favorite. Yellowman is known for such hit songs "Zungguzungguguzungguzeng" and "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt," which made him the first dancehall artist to be signed to a US major record label (CBS Records).
Yellowman’s energy and stamina never fade, and while the quality of his voice quality is not the same as it once was, to diehard fans, it’s an honor to see the reggae legend perform. The 56-year-old is known for his sexually explicit lyrics and for boasting what he can do in the bedroom -- exploits always re-created onstage. I'll be going to the Belly Up to see if he stays true to his words.
Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 on the day of show.
