He had set himself the ambitious goal of raising 2 million US dollars for the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston. While that is a long way off, Shaggy's donation through his Make a Difference foundation is still first-rate: 27 million Jamaican dollars (265,000 euros) were raised.
Once the 8 million Jamaican dollars of production costs for the concert are deducted, no less than 19 million Jamaican dollars (185,000 euros) will go towards improving the facilities, equipment and care given to the children.
The sum was raised through a big concert, Shaggy & Friends, on Saturday 3 January, featuring Buju Banton, Macy Gray, Sean Paul, Tony Rebel, Sean Kingston, Tarrus Riley, Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Daville, Elephant Man and Marcia Griffiths, among others…
Meanwhile, Shaggy also gathered all his friends in his Big Yard studio to record a collective single in the vein of Heal the world, with most of the artists present for Shaggy & Friends: Luciano, Sean Paul, Etana, Marcia Griffiths, Elephant Man, Freddie McGregor and Gramps Heritage.