Reggae Anthology: Young, Gifted and Yellow cover

Reggae Anthology: Young, Gifted and Yellow

Yellowman · 2013

146 min · 47 tracks · reggae

A vibrant collection of infectious rhythms and clever wordplay that showcases the playful spirit of dancehall reggae.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Bam Bam — This track is emblematic of Yellowman's playful lyrical style and infectious rhythm, making it a staple in dancehall playlists.
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    Zungguzungguzunggezeng — Known for its catchy hook and unique vocal delivery, this track showcases Yellowman's ability to blend humor with social commentary.
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    Lost Mi Love — This poignant track stands out with its emotional depth and showcases Yellowman's versatility as both a performer and songwriter.
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    Herbman Smuggling — This song highlights the cultural significance of cannabis in Jamaican society and reflects Yellowman's connection to roots reggae themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100
Foothills
Higher than 6% of albums we've rated

This anthology captures Yellowman's playful spirit but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.

What we noticed

  • Many tracks utilize call-and-response structures, engaging listeners and encouraging participation typical of dancehall performances.
  • The production includes prominent bass lines and rhythmic guitar skanks that are characteristic of reggae, creating a lively atmosphere throughout.
  • Several songs incorporate playful lyrics and clever wordplay, reflecting Yellowman's charismatic personality and humor.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • infectious danceable rhythms throughout
  • witty lyrics for playful mood
  • for lively gatherings
  • short tracks encourage repeat plays
  • celebratory vibes for any occasion

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer longer, cohesive albums
  • seek deep introspective themes

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Anthology that showcases influential tracks but not a mainstream entry point.
Career context
When 'Reggae Anthology: Young, Gifted and Yellow' was released in 2013, Yellowman was already an established figure in reggae and dancehall, known for his charismatic style. This album arrived during a period of renewed interest in classic reggae sounds, bringing together hits from his prolific career alongside previously unreleased tracks.
Stylistic neighbors
Eddy Grant· Shabba Ranks· Buju Banton

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Lost Mi Love

    The narrative shifts from fond memories to a sense of loss evokes deep emotional resonance.

    This transition illustrates Yellowman's ability to juxtapose joy and sorrow, enriching the song's overall emotional landscape.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Mad Over Me 3:25
  • 2 Shorties 4:37
  • 3 Soldier Take Over 4:01
  • 4 Lost Mi Love 5:12
  • 5 Mister Chin 4:04
  • 6 Mr. Wrong 3:08
  • 7 Herbman Smuggling 3:02
  • 8 Eventide Fire 2:55
  • 9 Operation Eradication 3:40
  • 10 Out of Hand 3:33
  • 11 Them a Fight I 3:02
  • 12 Death of Barnabas 3:08
  • 13 King and Queen 3:20
  • 14 Yellowman Getting Married 3:35
  • 15 I’m Getting Divorced 3:24
  • 16 Morning Ride 3:51
  • 17 Night Flight 3:44
  • 18 Top Form 3:19
  • 19 Water Rock 3:36
  • 20 Duppy or a Gunman 3:57

Disc 2

  • 1 Zungguzungguzunggezeng 4:09
  • 2 Who Can Make the Dance Ram 4:04
  • 3 Quite 3:36
  • 4 Bunn the Kutchie 4:34
  • 5 The Girl Is Mine 3:32
  • 6 Ram Jam Master (a.k.a. Wreck a Pum‐Pum) 3:01
  • 7 Body Move 3:34
  • 8 Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt 3:42
  • 9 Galong Galong Galong 3:36
  • 10 Walking Jewelry Store 3:19
  • 11 Gregory Free 3:55
  • 12 Jah Mek Us fi a Purpose 4:10
  • 13 Love Struck 2:48
  • 14 Rub a Dub a Play 3:28
  • 15 Rub and Go Down 3:51
  • 16 Bam Bam 3:14
  • 17 One Yellowman Ina the Yard 3:35
  • 18 Strong Mi Strong 3:50
  • 19 Blueberry Hill 3:44
  • 20 Where Is Santa Claus? 4:05

Disc 3

  • 1 Girl Watcher
  • 2 Don’t Burn It Dung
  • 3 Ease Up President Botha
  • 4 Galong Galong Galong
  • 5 Gal a Rush Me
  • 6 Mexican Divorce
  • 7 Reggae Calypso

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata