Shaggy, Sean Paul team up for Jamaica benefit concert — How to watch
- - Shaggy, Sean Paul team up for Jamaica benefit concert — How to watch
Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY December 12, 2025 at 3:04 AM
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A star-studded lineup of musicians is coming together to raise money for Jamaica, after Hurricane Melissa devastated the country in late October.
The Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert will kick off Friday, Dec. 12, at the UBS Arena in New York and stream live on YouTube at 9 p.m. ET. Fans watching online will be able to donate directly on YouTube.
"Jamaica is a land defined by its extraordinary strength and spirit," a release announcing the concert said, adding of the event: "The global heartbeat of Reggae and Dancehall will unite for an unforgettable night of music, culture, and compassion."
Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc in the Caribbean. Here's how you can help.
Who will perform at the Jamaica Strong benefit concert?
Jamaica Strong will raise money for the island nation following a devastating hurricane.
The concert will include performances from stars like Shaggy and Sean Paul, who hail from the Caribbean Island. Other artists slated to play and help raise "vital funds" for Jamaica include Ky-Mani Marley, Inner Circle, Tessanne Chin, Aidonia, Chronic Law, Gramps Morgan, Marcia Griffiths and KES. Maxi Priest, Richie Stephens, Mikey Spice, Tessanne Chin, I-Octane, Demarco, T.O.K and Kevin Downswell will also perform.
At least 90 deaths have been blamed on Hurricane Melissa, including 45 in Jamaica, where Melissa struck as a Category 5 hurricane on Oct. 28 with winds at the surface of more than 150 mph. The incredible 252 mph peak wind gust marked the highest wind speed ever recorded by the National Center for Atmospheric Research at the National Science Foundation.
Jamaican officials said in November that Melissa caused at least $8.8 billion in damages. The storm also claimed lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Hurricane Melissa hit the southwestern coast of Jamaica around 1 p.m. ET Tuesday with catastrophic winds speeds of about 185 mph after churning slowly toward the island nation. The hurricane center said Melissa's landfall is one of the most powerful in the Atlantic Basin's recorded history. As the storm's center moved across western Jamaica to its northern coast, Melissa became a Category 4 storm with winds of 145 mph and torrential rainfall that caused flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge, the hurricane center said.A police officer inspects a car damaged by a fallen tree after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Hurricane Melissa hit the southwestern coast of Jamaica around 1 p.m. ET Tuesday with catastrophic winds speeds of about 185 mph after churning slowly toward the island nation. The hurricane center said Melissa's landfall is one of the most powerful in the Atlantic Basin's recorded history. As the storm's center moved across western Jamaica to its northern coast, Melissa became a Category 4 storm with winds of 145 mph and torrential rainfall that caused flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge, the hurricane center said.A police officer inspects a car damaged by a fallen tree after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
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Hurricane Melissa hit the southwestern coast of Jamaica around 1 p.m. ET Tuesday with catastrophic winds speeds of about 185 mph after churning slowly toward the island nation. The hurricane center said Melissa's landfall is one of the most powerful in the Atlantic Basin's recorded history. As the storm's center moved across western Jamaica to its northern coast, Melissa became a Category 4 storm with winds of 145 mph and torrential rainfall that caused flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge, the hurricane center said.A police officer inspects a car damaged by a fallen tree after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
">Hurricane Melissa hit the southwestern coast of Jamaica around 1 p.m. ET Tuesday with catastrophic winds speeds of about 185 mph after churning slowly toward the island nation. The hurricane center said Melissa's landfall is one of the most powerful in the Atlantic Basin's recorded history. As the storm's center moved across western Jamaica to its northern coast, Melissa became a Category 4 storm with winds of 145 mph and torrential rainfall that caused flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge, the hurricane center said.A police officer inspects a car damaged by a fallen tree after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CdqMHpkodEptPnUDBF.aoQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b1f4635feb0164059363eb5510afa979 class=caas-img>A store stands destroyed following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9ysCSxzjcX6JsodA9AEJYw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b00e90300487de2ad81f6ae0d389804b class=caas-img data-headline="Category 5 Hurricane Melissa slams Jamaica: See the aftermath of catastrophic winds, rain" data-caption="
A store stands destroyed following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025.
">A store stands destroyed following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9ysCSxzjcX6JsodA9AEJYw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b00e90300487de2ad81f6ae0d389804b class=caas-img>
A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/waSoL8zragQV.uGnkazlhg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/abe421113bc5f736a6d3d1fda7849a5c class=caas-img data-headline="Category 5 Hurricane Melissa slams Jamaica: See the aftermath of catastrophic winds, rain" data-caption="
A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025.
">A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/waSoL8zragQV.uGnkazlhg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/abe421113bc5f736a6d3d1fda7849a5c class=caas-img>
1 / 8Category 5 Hurricane Melissa slams Jamaica: See the aftermath of catastrophic winds, rain
Hurricane Melissa hit the southwestern coast of Jamaica around 1 p.m. ET Tuesday with catastrophic winds speeds of about 185 mph after churning slowly toward the island nation. The hurricane center said Melissa's landfall is one of the most powerful in the Atlantic Basin's recorded history. As the storm's center moved across western Jamaica to its northern coast, Melissa became a Category 4 storm with winds of 145 mph and torrential rainfall that caused flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge, the hurricane center said.A police officer inspects a car damaged by a fallen tree after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
While Humanitarian organizations have mobilized to provide immediate relief and prepare for long-term recovery after the storm, the nation is facing a long road to rebuilding.
The Jamaica Strong benefit concert is aimed at bolstering that recovery, offering a "donate" button directly on the YouTube livestream. One hundred percent of the funds raised through YouTube's donation tools will go directly to hurricane relief via Shaggy’s "Make a Difference Foundation," according to a release for the concert.
"Watching is supporting. Donating is rebuilding. Tune in … to witness history, celebrate culture, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Jamaica. Let us show the world what it truly means to be Jamaica Strong," the release says.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shaggy, Sean Paul to perform at Jamaica benefit concert —How to watch
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