Hodari Q fulfils Christmas wish

Hodari Brown remembers listening to Christmas favourites like David Foster's ' Carol Of The Bells' and dreaming of writing his own Yuletide song.

He has achieved that as Hodari Q, which is his stage name, with Under My Christmas Tree which was released in November. The singer also produced the song which captures the mood of his favourite time of the year.

"I have always wanted to do a Christmas song. Christmas is my favourite time of the year. I just love the atmosphere, the Christmas lights everywhere. People are usually more friendly at that time of the year, [plus] the visiting friends, linking up with family, the joy and the laughter that are usually present during the season. It also reminds me of when I was a child enjoying Christmas with my family," he said.

Listening to seasonal standards like The Salsoul Orchestra Christmas Jollies were highlights of Hodari Q's childhood. Unlike fellow Jamaican artistes like Boris Gardiner and Carlene Davis, who recorded Yuletide songs with a reggae flavour, he chose a pop sound "for a more universal appeal".