Digicel recent announced the collaboration which featured renowned producer Christopher Birch in the song entitled “Rise Again” to raise money for the Digicel Haiti Relief Fund.
A release from the company said Shaggy did not hesitate when approached and made contact with Birch – producer of his diamond selling album ‘Hot Shot’- and took just one day to come up with the lyrics of the song. Only five days were needed to produce the song and it includes artistes such as dancehall king Sean Paul and Sean Kingston, whose “Suicidal” hit was a hot number in the Caribbean and the US.
“‘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,” Shaggy said at the recent launch of the song.
And according to Digicel Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Colm Delves: “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.”
The Digicel release said that the song has already made “waves in the US with E News carrying a preview of the song on the E!TV Entertainment News.”
In addition to Shaggy, Sean Paul and Sean Kingston other artistes featured are; Barbadian Alison Hinds, Shontelle Layne and Edwin Yearwood; Trinidadians, David Rudder, Kees Dieffenthaller and Destra Garcia; Jamaicans, Tessanne Chin and Etana; and Haitian
artiste, Belo.
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 Digicel customers across the Caribbean and Central America through a text and voice donation line. Digicel also gave each of its two million customers in Haiti US$5 in free credit – totalling US$10 million.
In addition, over 60 video messages of support have been recorded by well-known people such as athlete Usain Bolt, President Martinelli of Panama, cricket legend, Sir Garfield Sobers; and many more. Videos can be viewed on the Help Haiti Facebook page.
