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Born Winston Foster in 1956 in Kingston, he was institutionalized early in life and grew up a loner. Taunted by others for his lack of normal pigmentation, he eventually took a stage name that frankly acknowledges his distinctive appearance. He took the in-your-face concept even further with the title of a new album, "Yellow Like Cheese."
First discovered in a talent contest, Yellowman went from hot dance hall disc jockey and "toaster" (rapper) to successful recording artist with the release of his 1981 hit, "Me Kill Barney." He quickly became known as a witty specialist in "slack" (sexually explicit) vignettes celebrating his prowess, but addressed social and political issues with equal skill. Yellowman also proved adept at providing original musical perspectives on pop music standards as diverse as "Sea Cruise" and "Take Me Home Country Roads" and Broadway's "Get Me To The Church On Time."
Coming to Honolulu in 1991 amid rumors of failing health, Yellowman announced, "I'm a man not that easy to tire" and delivered an intense 90-minute performance that included singing, rapping, expressive dancing and witty observations on male-female relations.
Yellowman was honored as "Most Outstanding Stage Personality" and "Most Outstanding Show Band/Group" (with his Sagittarius Band) at the 15th Annual International Reggae & World Music Awards in May. He closes a 12-week U.S. tour with a single show here Saturday. Earlier this week, he fielded questions.
Question: Does the music business look any different as you turn 40?
Answer: "It's different because there are some new dance hall acts but with me (there's) no change. In 10 years I'll still be doing this because I love entertaining people. That's my kick."
Q: What is the biggest contribution you've made to reggae music thus far?
A: "Making it well known. I am one of the reggae ambassadors who put the reggae to the four corner of the earth."
Q: There are many musicians here in Hawaii who try to sound like they're from Jamaica. Are there Jamaican artists who play Hawaiian music and try to talk pidgin and sound like Hawaiians?
A: "No. (Laughs) I've never heard of that yet. You see, we as reggae artists, we put impact on other artists like other nations. All over the world you have a reggae group in different nations. Yes, we get inspired by other non-Jamaican artists. I was inspired by artists like Elvis, B.B. King, Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, the Stylistics, the Jackson 5. Even when I do a cover song straight on, I do it like Yellowman. On my latest CD, 'Message to the World,' I do a cover version of 'Love Me Tender,' but I do it as Yellowman, not trying to sound like Elvis. My songs have grown up on other songs but I've always wanted to sound like myself."
What: Yellowman in concert