As winter's chill gripped New York, a wave of Caribbean heat surged through Long Island's UBS Arena on Friday night for the highly anticipated Jamaica Strong benefit concert. Headlined by icons Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Trinidadian soca superstar Kes, the star-studded fundraiser brought together an impressive roster of reggae, dancehall, and soca's biggest names, delighting a packed house while raising crucial donations for Hurricane Melissa relief efforts.
The night was a vibrant display of unity and resilience, kicked off by a dynamic showcase of talent. Grammy winners Shaggy and Sean Paul fired through career-spanning hit medleys, reminding everyone of their enduring impact on global music. New-gen dancehall sensation Teejay proved the timeless appeal of his signature track “Drift,” while reggae legends Marcia Griffiths and Gramps Morgan infused the evening with soulful gravitas. Dancehall's I-Octane even dove into the crowd, creating unforgettable, intimate moments with lucky fans.
A Star-Studded Lineup Ignites UBS Arena for Hurricane Melissa Relief
The UBS Arena, a venue increasingly known for hosting major Caribbean-headlined events, buzzed with energy as fans banded together for the cause of rebuilding Jamaica. The island faced its strongest storm in history with Hurricane Melissa on Oct. 28, nearly 40 years after Hurricane Gilbert, leaving a trail of devastation and a death toll of at least 45. This urgent crisis spurred Jamaica's biggest stars to action, leading to the creation of the Jamaica Strong concert.
Beyond the headliners, the lineup was a veritable who's who of Caribbean music, featuring powerful performances from Chronic Law, T.O.K, Tessanne Chin, Aidonia, Inner Circle, Ky-Mani Marley, Yaksta Richie Stephens, Mikey Spice, Abby Dallas, Kevin Downswell, Maxi Priest, I-Octane, and DeMarco. Noted radio personalities DJ Roy, DJ Norie, Dubbmaster Chris, and Dahved Levy expertly guided the evening as hosts. For those who couldn't be there, YouTube and Amazon livestreamed the entire four-hour event, with Amazon keeping it available for rewatch. Net proceeds from ticket sales and in-stadium donations went directly to the Jamaica Official Hurricane Relief & Recovery Fund, underscoring the concert's vital mission.
Kes Delivers Show-Stopping Set, Unity Shines Bright
Amongst a night of stellar acts, Trinidadian soca superstar Kes delivered arguably the evening's most electrifying and lively set. Despite being the sole artist not hailing from Jamaica, Kes commanded the stage with a barrage of hits like “Hello,” “Cocoa Tea,” “No Sweetness,” and “Savannah Grass.” His relentless energy, crisp vocals, and waistline-rocking catalog brought the aura of a true superstar to the UBS Arena. When he leapt into the front row to dance, he masterfully made the moment feel intimately personal for thousands. And catching a Jamaican flag from an audience member, Kes beautifully symbolized the cross-country unity that defines Caribbean culture, a truly necessary sight.
The concert also carved out poignant moments for reflection and tribute. Anchored by Jimmy Cliff’s timeless “Many Rivers to Cross,” a video montage honored recently departed West Indian ancestors, including the late Grammy-winning reggae and film star, Cocoa Tea, Owen Gray, and Max Romeo, among others. The four-hour extravaganza culminated in a powerful display of collective spirit: every performer took the stage to sing along to Jamaica’s national anthem, “Jamaica, Land We Love,” alongside the passionate crowd. From roots reggae pillars to new-gen dancehall breakouts, the united voices underscored the profound love, unity, and resilience of Jamrock.
"Jam for Jamaica": All-Star Anthem Led by Jerry Wonda Unites Legends
As the performances cycled through, AXENMAG caught up backstage with Grammy-winning Fugees producer Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis, who revealed an exciting new initiative. Wonda, known for his extensive work with R&B, hip-hop, and pop stars like Justin Bieber and Keyshia Cole, is currently spearheading a monumental “We Are the World”-esque charity song titled “Jam for Jamaica.” This ambitious project aims to unite nearly every notable Jamaican musician for Hurricane Melissa relief.
While Wonda kept the song's sound under wraps, he confirmed an incredible lineup of artists already involved: Buju Banton, Shaggy, Busta Rhymes, Damian Marley, Cedella Marley, Missy Elliott, Slick Rick, Gramps Morgan, Naomi Cowan, Mystic Marley, Capleton, Akon, Sean Paul, Baby Cham, Mona Scott, Stephen Marley, Jesse Royal, and Kevin Downswell. Gargamel himself, Buju Banton, has been teasing the recording process on his official Instagram page since late November.
“The song’s gonna be eight and a half minutes, but we separated it into two parts,” Wonda told AXENMAG. “So many artists wanna jump on it. And we’re going to do a Spanish version too. It’s coming out Feb. 6, Bob Marley’s birthday. We got the classic artists, the young artists and the young, young artists. There’s gonna be a whole documentary.” This upcoming anthem promises to be a powerful continuation of the spirit of generosity and unity showcased at the Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert, ensuring that relief efforts for Hurricane Melissa continue to resonate across the globe.
