Impressions: Photos From the Caribbean Love Now Jamathon in Kingston, Jamaica

Words by LargeUp Crew
Photos by Martei Korley

International support for the Caribbean following this year’s devastating hurricane season has begun to subside, but not in the region itself. This past Wednesday, it was Jamaica’s turn to large up its neighbors. Caribbean Love Now, an organization formed to support those affected by storms in the region, hosted its “Jamathon” (Jamaica + telethon = Jamathon) at the National Indoor Sports Center in Kingston, bringing out some of the island’s biggest names, and a handful of international guests, to raise funds for those in need.

The full list of performers is too lengthy to mention, but we caught short sets from each of the following: Toots and the Maytals; Stephen, Chino and Freddie McGregor; Raging Fyah; Jesse Royal; J Boog; Iba Mahr; Protoje; Beres Hammond; Fay-ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin; Sean Paul with Chi Ching Ching; Tarrus Riley and Romain Virgo, and finally Sizzla with a cameo from Bounty Killer. All artists at the event, hosted by Tommy Cowan, Nikki Z, Miss Kitty and Pretty Boy Floyd, were backed by an all-star band led by the “Dean of Jamaican Music,” Dean Fraser. Jamaica’s prime minister Andrew Holness also made an appearance at the event, which aired locally on TVJ and was streamed worldwide.

Martei Korley was on hand to document the show; you can see highlights from his lens below, and check out our Instagram for more.

No word yet about future events under the Caribbean Love Now banner, but you can continue to donate here.

He rules, he rules — God comes first! Big him up! DJ father

You can always find a peanut vendor in the crowd, at any Jamaican music event

The crowd revs up as Toots Hibbert enters the stage

Two of JA’s finest: Keyboard ace Bowie McLaughlin and bass player Mikey Fletcher were part of the stellar band which backed the entire show

Toots gives bandleader Dean Fraser a pound

When push comes to shove…

Freddie McGregor performed, as did his sons Chino and Stephen

Dean Fraser walks towards the stage followed by drummer Kirk Bennett and Christopher Martin

Colin ‘Bulby’ York and Kumar of Raging Fyah chat it up backstage

Freddie Mac hails producer Skatta Burrell after a top-notch performance

Bulby, with Stephen and Chino McGregor

The National Indoor Stadium, full ah vibes

Kumar of Raging Fyah puts it down

Jesse Royal checks in for his performance

Protoje puts one up inna di air

Kingston, be wise…

And another one

Romain Virgo, salute!

Three dudes fresh off the High Seas: J Boog, Iba Mahr and Nesta Garrick

Tarrus Riley repping the original Sky Juice

When the Chairman of the Board appears

What can you do to stop man from trying?

Tommy Cowan, veteran MC and presenter, yes indeed!

When Beres finishes the encore

[From L to R] Tommy Cowan, concert organizer Josef Bogdanovich, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Youth and Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange make pledges to the cause

Fay-Ann Lyons inna vibes

And again, with her other half, Bunji Garlin

Tall man Chi Ching Ching casts a giant shadow

Nuff respect to all officers keeping the peace

Sean Paul showed off his dancing game under pressure from Ching, sending the crowd into a frenzy

MCs Miss Kitty and Pretty Boy Floyd

Tarrus Riley, Sherieta Lewis and Romain Virgo performed “Carry On,” a song specially written for the relief effort by Lewis and Sean Diedrick.

Tarrus + full church choir = notes!

The ever-energetic Geefus poses up with two bredrin. Traffiiiiiccc!

A backstage portrait of Protoje

Can you feel the raw energy here? Kalonji and Bounty Killer, fresh from the Jamrock cruise, ready to take the stage.

Jah Cure shares a laugh with Skatta

Sizzla runs on to the stage, followed by Josef Bogdanovich

Sizzla burns the fire extra hot!

Never lost a step

And airborn half the time…

And when Kalonji tunup: Kickout!

Kalonji x Killer: Sizzla and Bounty meet on stage

Bounty Killer takes it all in

Two big voices, one stage

Sizzla steps forward, as Dean Fraser directs the band

Maestro!