Yellowman Beats All Odds; Embarks on N. American Tour

His fans call him King Yellowman because he was Jamaica’s first Dancehall superstar. He, more than any other artist, is credited with popularizing toasting ? the reggae version of rapping—in Jamaica and around the world. All the contemporary Dancehall superstars, including Beenie Man, Elephant Man and Mavado, owe their fame, at least in part, to Yellowman’s pioneering ingenuity outright bravery. In the 80s, Yellowman was one of Jamaica’s top selling artists; he outsold all Jamaican artists but Bob Marley.

BORN IN TO ABANDONMENT AND RIDICULE; BEATS THE ODDS
Born Winston Foster in 1956 in Negril, Jamaica, he was abandoned as a child because he was an albino, a condition that carried a heavy stigma. Thus, he was raised in an orphanage where he was constantly tormented and made fun of because of his skin condition.
The constant harassment pushed him to the point where he had to take control of his own destiny. He changed his name to Yellowman and took up music. He first started as a deejay and worked for several sound systems. Although he was booed at his first performance, he ultimately won over the crowds. It’s needless to say that no producers were willing to give Yellowman a minute of their time. Yellowman fought back with a campaign aimed at transforming him from an “untouchable” outcast to a sex symbol. He showcased himself at talent shows and won over fans with his energetic stage appeal and lyrics that combined “yellow jokes” about his skin with his purported sexual prowess.

YELLOWMAN’S STAR BEGINS TO RISE
In 1979, Yellowman won the popular Jamaican Tastee Amateur Talent Contest and after his victory, the same producers who wanted nothing to do with him, were all over him. Soon after, his music career took off. He later decided to add conscious lyrics to his songs and in 1982, he appeared at the Reggae Sunsplash Festival. In 1983, he signed a recording deal with CBS Records and in 1984, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for best Reggae album.

YELLOWMAN TAKES ANOTHER BLOW; BEATS THE ODDS, AGAIN.
In 1986, just when his star had began to rise, Yellowman was diagnosed with jaw cancer, resulting in the removal of part of his jawbone. Although doctors gave him 6 months to live, Yellowman beat the odds. Again. As if that were not enough, Yellowman was also diagnosed with skin cancer, which he miraculously recovered from. In spite of all that, two of his albums were Grammy nominated for best reggae album in 1995 and 1997. He continued to sell albums and maintaining one of the busiest tour schedules. Although he has slowed down, Yellowman is still considered one of the best Dancehall performers.
Yellowman will be touring N. America this summer and Kilimanjaro Entertainment is proud to promote his concert in Minneapolis, MN:
Date: Sunday, July 25
Time: 9:00 PM
Cover: $15 advance $17.00 at the door
Where: Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave. Minneapolis, MN
TICKETS

YELLOWMAN LIVE IN JAMAICA