In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Jamaica’s reggae community finds itself grappling with profound challenges. The storm’s ferocity has deeply affected both the island’s physical infrastructure and its cultural heartbeat. As musicians, producers, and fans reckon with the aftermath, the resilience and creativity that define reggae are once again called into action, underscoring a sense of unity and determination to rebuild. This article delves into how the reggae community, a crucial part of Jamaica’s identity, is navigating the storm’s impact and striving to recover.
Musical Sessions Interrupted
Last week, prominent figures in Jamaica’s music scene, including former Wailers guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith and DJ U Brown, were engrossed in a session at Anchor recording studio in Kingston. However, their collaboration with Harper Simon, son of Paul Simon, was abruptly halted. “The hurricane was hitting the next day and the airports were closing,” recounted producer Wayne Jobson, who was in charge of the session. Saxophonist Dean Fraser sent Jobson a cautionary message: “This is going to be bad. We just have to wait and see. Then get busy.”
Widespread Devastation
When Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall on Tuesday, it left a trail of destruction across Jamaica. Roofs were ripped off, hospitals and streets were flooded, and power outages affected around 80 percent of the country. This disruption extended to the reggae community, a core element of Jamaica’s heritage. As the island begins to recover, musicians and producers are dealing with the hurricane’s aftermath in their own lives and work.
Connecting Through Shared Stories
As Melissa’s immediate impact subsided and the storm moved towards Cuba, its effects were palpable throughout Jamaica. Kingston, a hub for reggae’s rich history, fared better than other parts of the island. Jon Baker, owner of GeeJam Studios in Port Antonio, noted, “We had a few cancellations and some travel disruptions, but the property has thankfully stood strong. GeeJam was built to handle this weather.”
Rohan Marley, son of Bob Marley, shared that the Bob Marley Museum and the legendary Tuff Gong studio in Kingston were largely unscathed. These properties are now serving as relief centers. “That’s what we call the meaning of hope, you know,” said Marley, highlighting the focus on community support during this challenging time.
Struggles and Resilience
Despite some areas enduring significant damage, other facets of the reggae scene have faced tougher struggles. “All the studios are shut down and nobody is working,” stated Jobson. Music Mansion in Montego Bay, where Maxi Priest recently recorded, was hit hard and remains closed. Meanwhile, the Catherine Hall Sports Complex, a significant venue for Reggae Sumfest, is submerged. Radhe Vaswani, a key figure in Jamaica’s music marketing, noted, “In Montego Bay, the storm feels personal.”
The annual Jamrock Reggae Cruise, co-founded by Damian Marley, was also disrupted. Intended to sail from Miami to Jamaica, it was rerouted to Cozumel. “It’s all devastating to everyone,” Rohan Marley commented. Yet, he emphasized the community’s resilience: “We have life. We are creative people, and we still have our creative souls and hearts.”
A poignant symbol of resilience was the mural “Touch Up” in Montego Bay, featuring reggae legends like Marley and Peter Tosh. Though most of it collapsed under Melissa’s fury, Vaswani remarked, “Even though parts of the wall have fallen, it remains a testament to Jamaica’s resilience. It reminds us that no matter the storm, we will persevere.”
