Kingston, Jamaica: – What began as a vibrant, feel-good opportunity to put Jamaica’s culture on display quickly turned into something far more meaningful when international recording artiste Sean Paul appeared on NBC’s Today Show with hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones. The Grammy Award-winning artiste not only brought his signature energy to the segment, but also delivered a surprise donation of musical instruments to Lewisville High School, aimed at breathing new life into the St. Elizabeth-based institution’s music programme and inspiring the next generation through sound and creativity.
Following Hurricane Melissa last October, Sean Paul, knowing the devastation that comes with a natural disaster of that magnitude, acted quickly through his Foundation to provide relief. Highlighting the work of the Sean Paul Foundation, he shared, “We have been to over 40 communities — 25 of which I have been to myself — to deliver food packages, other essential items, and just help persons to rebuild.”
The Foundation conducted 12 trips to hurricane-affected areas across six parishes with the help of key partners, Food for the Poor Jamaica, JDF Luana Camp, and Highway to Education among others, with visits including not only homes, but churches and schools. Principal of Lewisville High School, Rosemarie Thompson Collins, was also one of the specially invited schools on the Today Show. Much to her surprise, Collins would receive the donation from Sean Paul.
“There were several schools in our journey, but what struck me about Lewisville High School was their music programme. Their music room, which was one of the biggest I’ve seen at a school, was completely destroyed in the passing of the hurricane,” Sean Paul said in the interview.
“I wanted to help to get it back to [where it was] before the damage. Music is an uplifting part of my life. It has been said it helps you to study, with brain function and such and I hope it also helps your school to have fun sports days and other functions,” he continued in a heartfelt moment with the principal.
The instruments donated include a 5-piece drum set with cymbals, two keyboards with stands, two acoustic guitars, two mini glockenspiels, two hand conga drums, a ukulele, two half-moon tambourines, and 30 recorders. The musical instruments have since been delivered to the Lewisville High School by Sean Paul’s personal stage technician Mark “Brigga” Brown. In addition to the instruments, a Starlink internet system was also presented to the principal, to aid digital learning opportunities.
“When I was contacted, I didn’t think twice. I actually thought I was coming on the Today Show to sell the devastation,” Collins explained. “The plan is to now use music to escape the trauma and I know our students particularly the boys who are into music, will truly appreciate it.”
During her interview, Collins shared with Jenna and Sheinelle, her immediate strategy to mitigate learning loss was to have students return to the campus, especially those expected to sit their final secondary school exams (CSEC), in a matter of two weeks. Shortly after, Sean Paul and his team delivered care packages which “were well-needed” and the artiste was given a tour of the property including the music room.
The Today Show segment also saw Sean Paul spotlighting his current single “Ready for the Ride”, featuring Stalk Ashley. He was joined by popular Jamaica dancers Kimiko Versatile and the North Coast Boyz, bringing the track to life on set as the artiste showed a few of his dance moves and was treated to a high-energy, choreographed performance from the dancers.
