Yellowman @Gregory Isaacs reception
© Mike Eccleshall Headed down to Gregory Isaac's reception at the Jamaican High Commision last night, to celebrate (read: publicise) the launch of the reggae legend's '30 Years of Love Songs' triple CD. Esteemed speakers lavished praise. Mr Isaacs sat obediently. 'Night Nurse' got rinsed. Necked plenty of loaded rum punch. Ate my bodyweight in jerk chicken wraps. Certainly got my moneys worth (read: freeloader).
Undoubtedly the most note-worthy moment of the evening belonged to surprise guest Yellowman. For the uneducated, take notes; Yellowman was arguably the biggest and bashiest individual to grace the Ragga/ Dancehall sound-systems of the 1980's. He famously overcame the toughest of upbringings to become (at his peak) as big in JA as some guy named Bob Marley.
Born as an albino and brought up in orphanages, he spent much of his life as a social outcast. In 1986 he was diagnosed with jaw cancer and given 6 months to live - remarkably he survived and continued to smash up Dancehalls. In the early 1990's he was diagnosed with skin cancer. No doubt, this boy has fought adversity... and won.
Nevertheless, he redefined the identity of the soundsystem 'deejay' (in the Jamaican sense) into what we know now as an 'emcee'. Preceeding and influencing all of today's icons (your Bujus, Sizzlas, Beenies, Capletons...), he combined boastful, sexually explicit lyrics with a captivating presence.
Graced by Gregory Isaacs and blessed by Yellowman, last night was the definition of raaare.
(Nice one Mikey)
Undoubtedly the most note-worthy moment of the evening belonged to surprise guest Yellowman. For the uneducated, take notes; Yellowman was arguably the biggest and bashiest individual to grace the Ragga/ Dancehall sound-systems of the 1980's. He famously overcame the toughest of upbringings to become (at his peak) as big in JA as some guy named Bob Marley.Born as an albino and brought up in orphanages, he spent much of his life as a social outcast. In 1986 he was diagnosed with jaw cancer and given 6 months to live - remarkably he survived and continued to smash up Dancehalls. In the early 1990's he was diagnosed with skin cancer. No doubt, this boy has fought adversity... and won.
Nevertheless, he redefined the identity of the soundsystem 'deejay' (in the Jamaican sense) into what we know now as an 'emcee'. Preceeding and influencing all of today's icons (your Bujus, Sizzlas, Beenies, Capletons...), he combined boastful, sexually explicit lyrics with a captivating presence.
Graced by Gregory Isaacs and blessed by Yellowman, last night was the definition of raaare.
(Nice one Mikey)
Labels: Gregory Isaacs, Mike Eccleshall Photos, Yellowman
posted by Killa Dan at 11:50
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