January 28, 2009

Out of Kingston, Jamaica, news has been steadily streaming about fundraising efforts to help Haiti. One to note is a collaborative effort by the island’s principal mobile phone server, Digicel and reggae artists Shaggy on a musical fundraiser entitled “Rise Again.”

Allegedly, Shaggy, and renowned producer, Christopher Birch, wrote and produced the song to raise money for the Digicel Haiti Relief Fund which was already immersed in creative collection for the embattled nation.

“Rise Again is a Caribbean song, which was written and performed by Caribbean artists for the people of Haiti,” a Digicel spokesperson said.

Reportedly after the song was written, “Shaggy went straight into the studio with Birch.” The song was written in less than a day and the rhythm produced within five days, with artists such as Grammy and Billboard-caliber artists such as Sean Paul and Sean Kingston. The track features Barbadian Artists, Alison Hinds, Shontelle Layne and Edwin Yearwood; Trinidadian Soca Artists, David Rudder, Kees Dieffenthaller and Destra Garcia; Jamaican reggae artists, Tessanne Chin and Etana; and Haitian artiste, Belo.

“Rise Again” is being released worldwide and 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to relief efforts for the beleaguered nation.

Speaking about the launch of the song, Shaggy said: “Rise Again is for the people of Haiti. It is to show them that we are here for them and that we will support them each step of the way as they begin rebuilding their lives which were shattered by the earthquake. I am very proud of this song and the collaboration with Digicel. With today’s launch of Rise Again, we can raise much needed funds to support the relief efforts in Haiti.”

Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, said: “As part of the Digicel Haiti Relief Fund, we wanted to collaborate with international artists to produce a song that would support the people of Haiti who lost so much as a result of the earthquake. People across the world can purchase Rise Again and all proceeds will go directly to the relief efforts in Haiti.”

As the single largest investor in Haiti with a total investment of U$300 million since its launch in 2006, Digicel has over two million customers in Haiti. The Digicel Haiti Relief Fund has donated US$5 million to NGOs in Haiti to support the relief efforts and over US$500,000 has been raised by its customers across the Caribbean and Central America through a text and voice donation line. The mobile company also gave each of its two million customers US$5 in free credit – totaling US$10 million.

In addition, over 60 video messages of support have been recorded by well known people such as the Fastest Man in the World, Usain Bolt; President Martinelli of Panama; West Indies legend, Sir Garfield Sobers; and many more. All videos are available to view on www.facebook.com/helphaiti.