Yami Bolo was born on October 1st, 1970 as Rolando Ephraim McLean. He was exposed to music at a young age through church services and practice with his own accordion and trombone. He gained professional training as a member of Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion Crew of the 1980's. He first graced a stage at the age of 13 where he performed "When a Man's in Love" at the St. Andrew Technical High School.

In 1987, he was invited to tour with Augustus Pablo's prestigious Rockers Crew, where in 1994 he made a lasting impression on the japan Splash tour, resulting in a collaboration with Kazafumi Miyazawa, called the Miya-Yami project. The collaboration won "Best Music Video 94" making Bolo the recipient of Sony's Silver Grand Prix Award. Their album "Love is Dangerous" became one of the best selling reggae albums in Japan.

Yami Bolo eventually went on to produce a total of 19 albums and has collaborated with a number of recognized artistes both in Jamaica and globally, a few of whom include Damian Marley, Sugar Minott, Capelton, Tapper Zukie and Tenor Saw. He also significantly contributed to Damian Marley's Grammy Award winning album "Halfway Tree".

His success as a reggae artist has allowed him to record many songs professing the Rastafarian faith as taught by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church throughout his three decades in the reggae industry. Yami Bolo has been performing Rastafarian works since the mid 1980's touring with many different reggae groups including Augustus Pablo's Rockers crew.

He has also produced 3 soundtracks for CTW's Sesame Street, which exemplifies his wide reach and international fame.