Holt, Yellowman to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards

Yellow Man

PIONEERS IN the development of reggae and dancehall music in Jamaica and indeed across the world have been honoured each year at the world's greatest and Jamaica's best reggae show, Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest.

This year musical stalwarts, John Holt and Yellowman will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contributions to the growth of the music. Both were instrumental in carving out a niche on the world stage and solidify reggae and dancehall as a separate genre of music.

John Holt, known as one of the most superb musical composers of our time, will be performing on July 21, 'Ignition' at Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest and will receive his award on that night. Yellowman will be honoured during the 'Top Ranking' night on July 19 at Pier One.

More popularly known as Jamaica's very first dancehall superstar, Yellowman ushered in a new era in reggae music following Bob Marley's death. He was one of the most vocally dexterous performers of his time with a loose easy flow and definite wit in his wordplay.

Born Winston Foster in Negril Jamaica in 1959, Yellowman recorded prolifically in the early 1980s and came to fame when he won the Tastee Talent Contest in 1979.

Holt

EARLY START

Coincidentally, John Holt also got his first steps in the music business through the talent show circuit. At the age of 12, Holt entered his first contest and over the next four years he became a staple at these shows, snatching 28 titles in the process.

During the 1980s, Yellowman flooded the Jamaican market with more than 40 singles. His first full-length album, Mad Over Me was recorded for Channel One in 1981, but he didn't truly hit his stride on record until he partnered with dancehall producer Henry 'Junjo' Lawes. The 1982 album Mister Yellowman was released internationally by Greensleeves and is still to date, acclaimed as his best album.

After 1983's Zungguzungu-guzungguzeng album, Yellowman signed a major deal with CBS records. His lone album for the label King Yellowman boasted Take Me Home and Sea Cruise. He subsequently released Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt. After a bout with throat cancer, he returned to action with the hit Blueberry Hill and recorded the Yellow Like Cheese album with Philip 'Fatis' Burrell.