Yellowman & Johnny Osbourne Set to Headline ‘Nice Up Jamaica’ Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert
It’s been a little over a month since Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica, but artists are still banding together to help the island nation rebuild.
On Dec. 16, Grammy-nominated dancehall pioneer Yellowman and roots reggae icon Johnny Osbourne will headline Nice Up Jamaica, a LargeUp-backed benefit concert set to grace New York City’s Brooklyn Bowl. Coming straight from Jamrock especially for this show, Yellowman will be assisted by his longtime backing group, the Sagittarius Band. Osbourne’s set will also feature support from saxophonist Anant Pradhan and percussionist Larry McDonald, who will both perform a joint set of their own. Additional Jamaican music giants set to perform include Screechy Dan, Red Fox and Yaadcore & Di Yaad Man Dem.
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Fans can purchase tickets through this link, and the event’s proceeds and donations will benefit several relief entities, including American Friends of Jamaica, Rebuild Cockpit Country, World Central Kitchen, and Stephen, Damian and Julian Marley’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Landing just a week before Christmas, the Nice Up Jamaica benefit concert is poised to bring some extra holiday cheer to those who most need it.
The iconic voice behind 1983’s classic “Zungguzungguguzungguzeng,” Yellowman has remained active, reissuing his Divorced (For Your Eyes Only) album on digital platforms last year. Similarly, Osbourne, who earned a slew of hits in the ’80s like “Ice Cream Love” and “Buddy Bye,” shared his latest album, August’s Universal Love Showcase, earlier this year.
DJs are an integral part of Jamaican music and culture, and they will be well-represented at Nice Up Jamaica. DJs Max Glazer, Ayanna Heaven, JonnyGo Figure, African Violet Roots, and Barry Cole will maintain the night’s vibes, while Power 105.1’s Nick Seale will serve as MC. Notably, LargeUp’s DJ Gravy will also get behind the turntables.
Over a month ago (Oct. 28), nearly 40 years after Gilbert, Hurricane Melissa became the strongest storm to strike Jamaica in the island’s history. In the following days, the storm also made landfall in Cuba (Oct. 29), devastated parts of Haiti, and brought residual rainfall and intense winds to the rest of the Caribbean — and, later, to the Northeastern coast of the United States. With a death toll of at least 45 in Jamaica alone, according to AP News, Melissa’s devastation rocked the island nation to its core. In the wake of the destruction, most of Jamrock’s biggest stars — like Shaggy, Shenseea and Spice — diverted their attention to helping rebuild their home and give back to their people.
The Nice Up Jamaica benefit concert will also accept donations of bedding, tarps and clothing.
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