Some of Jamaica’s most popular and influential artists will come together at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood in the new year to raise money for Hurricane Melissa disaster relief.
The Stay Strong Jamaica benefit concert on Jan. 2 will feature performances by Shaggy, Julian Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Inner Circle, Third World, The Wailers and Wayne Wonder, among others.
All net proceeds from the concert will go to the designated beneficiary from the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, Jamaica’s Promise, which is providing housing, infrastructure repair and humanitarian aid to those affected by the Category 5 hurricane that hit the island on Oct. 28.
“Stay Strong Jamaica represents the extraordinary spirit of our people and the unwavering support of our global community,” Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a statement. “Given the magnitude of the damage, there is little doubt that it will be a long and arduous journey. But together we will rebuild stronger than before.”
Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are available, starting at $67.20, at Ticketmaster.com.
Other acts on the bill include Ernie Smith, I-Octane, Etana, Teejay, Shuga, Mykal Rose, Ed Robinson, Chalice, and Brick & Lace. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Jamaican minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, said reggae music is “the bridge to take us over troubled waters.”
“This concert is more than a fundraising effort. It is a reminder of the resilience of our culture and the unity of our diaspora,” Grange said.
For more information, visit JaPromise.org and MyHRL.com.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on IG: @BenCrandell.