Shaggy and Friends

By Steve James on Saturday, January 28, 2012 - Photos by Steve James - Comment

Shaggy's charity concert took place on January 7th featuring Tarrus Riley, Cocoa Tea, Beres Hammond, Gyptian, Stephen and Damian Marley, Lauryn Hill and more.

Held on the lawns of Kings House, the 3rd staging of The Shaggy & Friends Charity concert whose objective this year was to raise funds to help the construction of a 15-bed cardiac intensive care unit at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew, was a huge success.

The philanthropic series, which is the brainchild and special project of Grammy award winning artiste, Orville “Shaggy” Burrell got off to wonderful start with a silent action in the platinum area; a section reserved for the highest tiered seats. Items up for bid included a track shoe and jersey from Olympic record sensation Usain Bolt and a top designer watch valued at over 5,000 US dollars. Patrons in the platinum section also had the distinct privilege of being treated to succulent shrimp, other tasty local treats and a selection of premium brand wine.
One of the most touching elements of the night happened when the crowd shared in the moment the tiny patients of The Bustamante Children’s hospital where able to watch the first few performances of the night via live broadcast, courtesy of telecommunications provider L.I.M.E. The joy on their faces as they got to be a part of the event was very apparent, and moving.

The performances started at 8pm sharp and from strength each act built on the other. Romain Virgo, Assassin, Half Pint, Shaggy & Maxi Priest, Mr. Vegas, Denise Williams, Eve, the Marley brothers Stephen and Damian "Junior Gong" had the crowd almost eating out of the palms of their hands. Cocoa Tea, who has been blazing the trail everywhere he has been over the last year, turned the place out as well. Surprise act Beres Hammond delivered three to four songs and left the audience screaming for more.

Special guest Lauryn Hill closed the show but her set was a bit of an anti-climax. Patrons who had come really expectant and excited to see her left under whelmed. Her lengthy band change and her constant complaining to her backing band about the audio levels detracted from her performance.

All in all when the curtains came down, millions of dollars were raised for the Bustamante Children’s Hospital. All the artistes who gave their services for free made it a night to remember.