Jamaican Stars Headline Benefit Concert for Hurricane-Ravaged Jamaica

In the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Melissa that struck Jamaica last month, the Jamaican government has teamed up with local cultural organizations to host a major fundraising concert in New York City. Scheduled for December 12th at the UBS Arena, the "Jamaica Strong" event will feature a lineup of popular Jamaican and Caribbean artists, including Inner Circle, Ky-Mani Marley, and KES the Band.

The concert is being organized by Jammins Events, Irie Jam Radio, and Roadblock Radio, with all proceeds going towards hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica. The funds raised will benefit Shaggy's Make A Difference Foundation, Sean Paul's preferred charity Food for the Poor, the Irie Jam Radio Foundation, and the Jamaican consulate's own relief initiatives.

"This is more than a concert - it's a movement," said event organizer George Crooks. "Every ticket purchased directly supports rebuilding lives, homes, and hope in Jamaica." Tickets for the concert will go on sale on November 14th through Ticketmaster.

Both Shaggy and Sean Paul have been actively involved in providing aid to their hurricane-ravaged homeland. Shaggy spoke about the dire situation, with many people left homeless, without running water or electricity. He described mobilizing private planes to deliver food, water, and medical supplies to affected areas. Sean Paul has also been matching donations for hurricane relief.

Despite the devastation, Shaggy remains optimistic about the resilience of the Jamaican people. "One thing about Jamaicans, we're resilient and we're all gathering," he said. "The community is also assisting us."