Jamaican reggae star, King Yellowman. Photo credit: Getty Images
Winston Foster, better known on stage as King Yellowman, was
born on January 15, 1956, in Kingston, Jamaica. He was abandoned as a newborn,
most likely due to his albinism. Prejudice against Albinos persists in the
Caribbean and Africa.
Yellowman said in an interview in one of his videos that a
garbage collector had discovered him in a shopping mall. One of my favorite
reggae performers since the early 1980s in Nigeria, I was overcome with emotion
when I heard this depressing comment from such a wonderful artist whose music
transformed the reggae scene.
He experienced severe prejudice, ridicule, and social
exclusion as an albino growing up in a mostly Black community. Peers and even
some adults treated him as if he had been cursed or not entirely human. He was regularly made fun of and given the
disparaging moniker "Yellowman," which was used to denigrate him.
Despite these difficulties, Yellowman turned the stigma into
a source of power. He turned his moniker into a potent stage presence by
embracing his identity and using it as a source of pride. In the middle of the
1970s, he started playing at sound system dances, where he developed his
abilities as a deejay, or toaster, utilizing wit and comedy to engage
audiences.
His early career was characterized by studio rejection
because of the color of his skin; producers would frequently turn him away,
physically force him out, and occasionally even kick him. But he persisted, and after coming fourth in
the 1979 Tastee Talent Contest with the song "Barnabas Killing," he
became well-known.
Yellowman used his music as a platform to question social
norms. He reclaimed his identity through his music, memorably saying, "Hi,
my name is Yellowman," in "Them a Mad Over Me." And they
nickname me Mr. Sexy in the ghetto, transforming a derogatory word into a sign
of self-assurance and sexual empowerment.
According to him, his music served as a means of breaking
down that barrier and demonstrating that albinos may be viewed as strong,
attractive people rather than as misfits. In addition to bringing him
international attention and controversy, his audacious persona and irreverent,
frequently sexually explicit lyrics, known as "slackness,” helped change
attitudes regarding albinism in Jamaica and elsewhere.
In the 1980s, King Yellowman's unique sound, contentious
lyrics, and calculated partnerships helped his music become well-known
throughout the world. After finishing second in the 1978 Tastee Talent Contest
and starting to perform at sound-system events, especially with Aces
International, he initially became well-known in Jamaica.
His breakthrough came in 1981 when he signed with producer
Henry "Junjo" Lawes, making history as the first dancehall musician
to sign with Columbia Records, a major American record company.
His first album, Mister Yellowman, in 1982, was followed in 1983
by the world-famous Zungguzungguguzungguzeng, which went on to become one of
Jamaica's most imitated songs. Hip-hop icons like 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., and
KRS-One later remixed and sampled the song. His 1987 version of “Blueberry
Hill” topped the Jamaican charts for several weeks, demonstrating his ability
to cross over into mainstream pop and R&B audiences.
Yellowman faced a potentially fatal situation in 1986 when
he was told he had only six months to live due to skin cancer that had migrated
to his jaw. He underwent significant surgery that left him permanently scarred,
but he recovered remarkably and resumed his musical career with the song
"Blueberry Hill."
Later, his focus turned to more socially conscious subjects,
as evidenced by albums like "Freedom of Speech" (1997), which was
nominated for a Grammy, and "No More War" (2019), which showcased his
transformation from a contentious figure to a voice for awareness and peace.
Despite the difficulties of his past, Yellowman is still performing all over
the world with his Sagittarius Band and has released another fantastic song,
"Kiss Me Each Morning."
His music struck a chord in Nigeria and other African countries, where dancehall and reggae had an expanding fan base. His audacious demeanor and dynamic stage presence also contributed to the development of a devoted global fan base. I may say that Yellowman gained international notoriety because of the smash song "Reggae Calypso."
King Yellowman - Kiss Me Each Morning (Official video - 2020)
His status as a worldwide dancehall hero was cemented by his
international performances, which took place in nations including Nigeria,
Spain, Sweden, Italy, Germany, the UK, France, Kenya, the US, Canada, and other
parts of the world.
King Yellowman's current success in the reggae industry is proof that being different from others may lead to prejudice in life. Discrimination, however, can never stifle talent or deter someone who is committed to using his vocation to transform the world.
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