Morgan Heritage co-founder Gramps Morgan says that the upcoming Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert at UBS Arena in Elmont, Long Island on Dec. 12 represents a moment of unity in Jamaican/Caribbean music that he is proud to be a part of.
The UBS Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena, is located at 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, within the historic Belmont Park, near the border of Queens and Nassau County.
“To see us come together and put our egos aside is truly a remarkable testament of what we can do together,” Morgan told Caribbean Life on Monday, Dec. 1.
Jamaican Reggae Queen Marcia Griffiths. Photo by Anthony Turner
Morgan, who will join Shaggy, Sean Paul, Inner Circle, Richie Stephens, and Marcia Griffiths, among others, as headliners of the UBS concert, said: “It is a great, great symbol of our unity and our tenacity.
“I remember back in 1994, being the opening act for Inner Circle in Jackson, Wyoming, those legends had put down some work like never before,” he added.
The “People Like You” singer said that having superstar Sean Paul join Shaggy for the Dec. 12 concert “proved the depth of Jamaica’s musical fraternity.”
He believes the magnitude of the moment could inspire something bigger.
“Imagine this being a tour like the Budweiser Superfest with Sean Paul, Shaggy, Inner Circle, and, of course, don’t leave Gramps, please,” Morgan said. “I can’t get enough of just thinking about the lineup and knowing that we’re going to be able to come together and do something for the island of Jamaica, because a lot of people are out there suffering.”
Morgan, who recently visited Trelawny, Jamaica, said the devastation from Hurricane Melissa reminded him of the urgent need to assist.
“To see something like this, of this magnitude in the United States, is a testament of what we truly can do,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.
“When you see people in the riverbed catching water, washing clothes, bathing, it is really saying something,” he added. “If this happened in the United States, they wouldn’t know to go down by the river and catch some water as Jamaican people do.”
Morgan, who was born in Brooklyn but lived with his family in St. Thomas, Jamaica for a few years, urged Jamaicans everywhere to show up on Dec. 12 at the All-Star Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert.
“This is not just a New York thing,” he said. “I implore everyone all over the United States; this is your chance to give back.
“People keep asking how they can help – well, by buying one or two tickets,” Morgan added. “Come to New York on Dec. 12 and be part of this momentous occasion.
“This is our culture; it is our reggae, our dancehall, our food, our fashion,” he continued. “This is us standing up for Jamaica.”