Yellowman shines at Bike Festival

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

Veteran dancehall artiste, Winston Foster, who goes by the stage name Yellowman, gave a cameo performance during the third staging of the Portland Bike Festival and Drag Racing last Sunday.

Held at the Ken Jones Aerodrome, Saint Margaret's Bay, the event attracted hundreds of patrons, including tourists, who not only turned up to view the many biker stunts, but also to see the performance of one of Jamaica's legendary icons, King Yellowman.

"This is awesome!" commented Jasmine Huell, a Canadian national at the bike show. "It is my first bike show, and I am happy to have taken along my husband and three children to today's event. The bikers are quite amazing and skillful, and I will definitely return next year for the event. I am very familiar with the songs done by Yellowman, which bring back memories of yesteryear. His movement on stage is somewhat unique, and he is so full of energy. I can't believe that a dancehall veteran from the 1970s and '80s is still able to thrill an audience."

The dancehall king, who was clad in an orange superman muscle shirt and black jeans, took to the stage shortly after 5 p.m., urging the youth to remain positive and to abstain from violence before doing Duppy or Gunman. And with the crowd singing along and dancing, Yellowman shifted gears into Getting Married on Blueberry Hill.

With the crowd singing and dancing, and with many patrons seeing Yellowman for the first time, he exited the stage shortly afterwards to massive applause from the crowd. Yellowman also took the time to pose with fans during a photo shoot before commenting jokingly, "Mi forget fi do the Orphan.

At the end of it all, Mr Johnson of Superior Motors and Auto recommitted his company's participation in the Portland Bike Festival and Drag Racing by announcing that the company would be playing a major role in the next event slated for December 26.

LOTS OF ATTRACTIONS

"The families were out in their numbers," said Johnson. "The organisers are doing something special at this motor sport event. I am very impressed, and there were lots of attractions for the children at the kiddie's village. I sell bikes and parts, which is my speciality, and this event provides me with the opportunity to showcase our many offerings. The event was well organised and it went on without incident. I am urging other sponsors to come on board next time around as this event also provides employment to dozens of persons."

Promoter for the event, Paul 'Bigga' Young, expressed thanks to the patrons, who, according to him, were more than satisfied this time around.

"We promised and we delivered," commented Young. "The families are satisfied, and this time around, there are no negative comments. The vendors had a field day and their goods were all sold out. Come December, it will be bigger and better. This type of event is unique to Portlanders, and what they witnessed here today has never been seen in the parish before. It is costly to run an event like this one, and we need the support of sponsors."

The event climaxed with an after-party, which saw Little Hero blazing a trail of hit songs, including God Alone.

Energy God Elephant Man also had the crowd screaming for the better part of 30 minutes with his many dance moves and hit songs.