Yellowman is father Christmas - Deejay tells of his love for the holiday season

For Yellowman, Christmas was the time dedicated to spending time with his children. The reggae-dancehall artiste, whose given name is Winston Foster, has an undying love for the Yuletide season.

"I would set up the Christmas tree, put gifts under the tree, and dress up like Santa and sit under the tree from midnight Christmas Eve until Christmas morning," he said.

He shared that the tradition was one he did religiously every Christmas for his six children, from as early as the 1980s. The veteran deejay reminiscing on his 'Christmas I'll Never Forget' memory, said he felt it necessary to be Santa Claus, to teach his children the meaning of the holiday.

"Christmas is for children. It's just a day people stay together with their children and their family," he said.

Although he doesn't remember the physical gifts he gave his children, he recalled sharing with them the gift of family interaction, as he believes it is important for the family to stick together.

This year, however, he is no mood to be singing carols, as he described 2020 as the worst year. "This year is just a bad year, too much people die, innocent people. Because of the 'plandemic' lots of persons lose their lives. It's not a pandemic, it's planned," the singer said.

Before his rise to popularity, life was difficult for Yellowman, who grew up in the Maxfield Children's Home and Alpha Boys' School. Despite the tough circumstances, Yellowman enjoyed the idea of looking forward to see if Santa would visit, even as he reflected on the true meaning of the holidays. He said that things are not the same anymore and the focus of children has shifted.

"Children nuh want see Santa, them want money and glimmer. People nah look forward to Christmas again. Right now, in dem days here, Christmas is pressure and stress to people," Yellowman said.

HELPING OTHERS

However, he believes the Christmas spirit could be restored to the Jamaican society by helping others. Last month, Yellowman and other entertainers were actively seeking donations for 14-year-old Tracy-Ann Ricketts, who is battling bone cancer. Ricketts has a tumour growing on the right side of her face, which caused it to become disfigured and resulted in her losing sight in her right eye.

Yellowman told THE STAR the he would be spending his time this Yuletide season, helping the Ricketts family raise awareness to her situation. "I always give back, my Christmas is helping people. Like this little girl, she is a baby and she should be celebrating Christmas, but she needs the help. Only few persons helping. But my dream is that people will live good right through the year, not just Christmas," the Zungguzungguguzungguzeng hitmaker said.