Grammy-winning, diamond-selling reggae/dancehall superstar Shaggy made a significant double impact on his homeland recently by first making another major contribution to the Bustamante Hospital for Children, and then by staging an epic free concert on Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston to launch his 10th studio album “Summer in Kingston” and debut the video for the first single “Sugarcane”.

In a brief ceremony at the hospital on July 15, the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation handed over the latest shipment of vital medical equipment to hospital executives. The contribution included over 40 beds, incubators, IV stands, ventilators, vital signs monitors and other furniture and equipment valued at a total of US$350,000. The gift also included three computers donated by Flow and donations to cover the cost of seven cardiac surgeries raised from the auction at the second Shaggy & Friends benefit concert in 2010. While Shaggy was unable to physically attend the ceremony due to a commitment in Los Angeles to appear on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, he managed to connect with the gathering through Skype.

Dr Lambert Innis (centre), head of the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, talks about the difference that the donation of equipment from Shaggy's foundation will make in the delivery of healthcare at the hospital.

From left: William Mahfood of Wisynco, Sharon Burke of Solid Agency and Tina Myers Matalon of Restaurants of Jamaica Ltd. chat at the handover ceremony.

From left: Rebecca Packer, director of the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation, Dr. Michelle Anne Richards-Dawson, SMO, Bustamante Hospital for Children, and Lyttleton Shirley, chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SEHRA) examine an incubator donated to the hospital by the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation.

Hospital beds

A day later Shaggy was back on the Rock, a with a little help from his friends – Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Agent Sasco (Assassin), Chino, Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor and others – he locked down the main artery of the business district and solidly entertained the large crowd. During his performance, Shaggy revealed that MTV was present for the occasion. The Jay Will-directed video for “Sugarcane” was well received. Shaggy’s eight-track digital album is set for release on July 19.

LIME used the occasion to introduce Peppa — a brand new entertainment channel on LIME Mobile TV that features the daily call-in programme “Buss It Out”, which is hosted by popular media personality Ragashanti.

Shaggy (left), LIME promotional model (centre) and Ragashanti (right).

From left: Elephant Man, Shaggy and Bounty Killer.

Chino (centre), Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor (left) and Shaggy (right).