‘Mom and big brother were born on December 25’ - Charly Black speaks of his love for Christmas

International superstar Charly Black, will be ditching the microphone and the bright lights of the stage this Christmas, opting instead to spend the holidays with his mom, who is a Christmas baby.

The deejay said that his elder sister Michelle and his mom Carmen are going to be spending the holidays at his house. He said that he has not been able to spend Christmas with his mother in years, as his job as an entertainer has always taken him on the road.

"That is how I am spending my Christmas and it's an honour to me," he said.

Charly Black, the Gyal You A Party Animal hitmaker, said the house has been adorned with Christmas lights. He said that his is among three houses in his area that have been decorated with the colourful lights.

"I know that they are trying to avoid JPS [Jamaica Public Service, the light and power company] but I'm living my dream so January morning 2022, me and JPS will talk."

"Christmas is special to me, no joke. No matter where I am in the world, once the month of December starts, although it is not my month, but because my mother was born on December 25, it gives me a different feeling."

STAYING CLOSE TO FAMILY

Charly Black told THE WEEKEND STAR that he has always been excited about Christmas, which is widely regarded as the season of giving. He said that despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been making a concerted effort to stay close to his family and friends.

"We are still thankful, we still make sure that we link family members in Portland, St Thomas or MoBay, wherever they are throughout the year," Charly Black highlighted.

In fact, he said he might very well start a tradition where he takes no shows during the holidays, freeing him to be with his family for Christmas.

"I am not normally in Jamaica due to me being abroad working. If I do it this year, I think I want to keep it as a tradition so I can spend Christmas with my mother because I don't see her that much. I just don't want any shows overseas at Christmas because I want to spend time with my family here. My mother and big brother were born on December 25, so I want to keep it as a tradition," he added.

Reflecting on his youthful days celebrating Christmas, Charly Black, who grew up in Rio Bueno, Trelawny, said it was a most joyful season. He said that preparation for the holidays started on December 1 each year.

"It's more special to me than July and August. There was this man in the district name Boysie Christie, every Christmas he used to make every child feel good. He lived on Church Road and every Christmas, he would go in Rio Bueno Square and give toys to every child. Sometimes the toys would run out on me because I had to carry water to fill up the drums. Rio Bueno is always a vibes place and blessed place, a lovely place," the artiste shared.

He said that while there was no unique tradition in his family, there was always sorrel.

"My auntie always make the sorrel, that is one thing; sorrel was always in the house and she always bake."

The deejay recalled young men got the most respect if they wore the latest in clothes and apparels.

"In those times, I remember when a man have on a LA Gear he was the don. LA Gear used to run the place just like Clarks. Travel Fox, Patrick Ewing were shoes that used to stand back then."

ONE PAIR OF SHOES

He recalled wanting a Nike Air so badly that he took the logo off his cousin, Andel Dixon's old sneakers and attached them to the only pair of shoes he had at the time.

"Jah Jah, we give thanks now that we have from Louis Vuitton to Gucci to everything now, but that memory will never leave me. My cousin Andel Dix is the first person to make me wear a Nike Air."

He remembered how he had to stuff the front of the shoes with newspapers, in addition to wearing a pair of socks, so the shoes could fit.

Like most entertainers, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way in which Charly Black celebrates the holidays. Before the pandemic, he would either be partying or working during this period.

His wish is for an end to the violence that has left a countless number of Jamaican families grieving while marring the country's image on the international scene.

"I wish the youths could ease the violence and make people not think twice about coming to Jamaica anymore because it is very scary over the world. It's kind of sad. It's not a nice thing. Even Jamaicans living overseas sometimes feel like they are targeted," he said.

Music-wise, Charly Black intends to continue putting out hit songs.

"My fans in Jamaica can expect more ground work and hopefully COVID get to go away so we can get back to a normal entertainment time slot," he said.