Sean Paul Speaks on Devastation After Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica

Tue Nov 04 2025 06:33:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Jamaican artist Sean Paul addresses the overwhelming aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which has left many lives shattered and a community in desperate need of support.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Grammy-winning reggae artist Sean Paul shares the emotional toll the disaster has taken on his family and the island of Jamaica. With reports of widespread destruction and loss of life, he emphasizes the urgent need for aid and community support. Fellow artist Shaggy is also mobilizing efforts to assist those affected by the storm, highlighting the resilience of the Jamaican spirit amidst tragedy.

In a heartfelt account, Jamaican music superstar Sean Paul described the overwhelming effort needed to assist those devastated by Hurricane Melissa, which recently ravaged parts of Jamaica. The Grammy-winning reggae singer expressed deep concern for his own children and the trauma they experienced during the storm.

It was very frightening, especially for my young kids, Sean Paul recounted while speaking to BBC News. That's the first time they've seen trees dance like that and the wind move like that. They're in shock still, and traumatized. Can you imagine the children who are in the epicenter of it? It feels like you're in the Middle Ages. The hurricane, which reached category five status, brought winds of up to 185 mph and has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 28 people in its wake.

While Sean Paul and his family were in Kingston, the coastal areas to the west of the capital suffered significantly more damage. He shared the emotional struggle of witnessing the destruction, even as Kingston remained largely unscathed. It is really difficult to bear. You're wondering if at any moment, could a tree crash through your roof? he remarked.

In response to the devastation, Sean Paul has committed $50,000 to match donations made to Food For The Poor Jamaica. He called the situation mind-blowing, as he and his team work tirelessly to provide necessities for those affected. After days of communication and trying to help out, on Saturday, I broke down. It's just the amount of energy it takes, and the depression that starts to set in, knowing there's so much more to be done. We haven't even tipped the iceberg yet, he expressed.

Reflecting further on the situation, Sean Paul took a drive through the countryside, where many people are still disconnected and unaware of the help being organized for them. Some people don’t even know that help is coming, he mentioned. He vividly described hearing stories of infants sleeping in cardboard boxes due to the dire lack of resources.

Fellow artist Shaggy also spoke about the devastating impact of the hurricane while coordinating aid efforts across the island. I don't think I can unsee what I've seen... It's rough. Nobody could really prepare for something like that, he stated after witnessing the destruction in Black River, an area severely affected by the storm.

Both Sean Paul and Shaggy are advocating for concert events aimed at raising funds and supporting their communities as they work together during this challenging time. It breaks my heart. I've never seen anything like this, it looks like a bomb exploded, Shaggy added in a show of solidarity for their nation. As the recovery effort continues, the spirit of resilience remains strong across Jamaica, with the community and its leaders uniting to support each other in the face of adversity.