Shuga brings Montego Bay back to life

Determined to put her home town back on the map after Hurricane Melissa's fury, Shuga resurrected a 1970 Bobby Bloom hit, Montego Bay, turning it into a soaring, uplifting track.

"I am from Montego Bay, and so I wanted to do something that represents where I'm from, and, of course, I found a whole new meaning in the song after the Hurricane [Melissa] hit," the Digicel Rising Star 2009 winner said.

Shuga's home parish of St James was hit hard by Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 storm that devastated much of western Jamaica last October. She recalled the terrifying experience firsthand.

"It was devastating. It's nothing I've ever experienced in my entire life," she told THE STAR.

"Even now when I'm thinking about it, mi a tremble. Mi never know we wuda still de here man. Just to see everything tearing a part right in front of your eyes, it gives a bad feeling and like it's coming for me," Shuga said.

The storm left countless families displaced and businesses -- including much of the tourism industry -- crippled.

"To see how down everyone was after losing their homes and some people lost their lives, and the song [ Montego Bay] started to feel like an uplifting anthem for Montego Bay, because of course, it is the tourism capital, and that industry was completely shut down," Shuga said.

"I did the video just to remind people that this is Montego Bay, and this is who we are. We have to get up and start moving and build back," Shuga explained.

The video was filmed entirely in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and produced by Donovan Germain and released via VP Records. Shot in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board, the video moves through familiar locations across Jamaica's second city and reflects Shuga's early years performing along the island's north coast hotel circuit, alongside appearances by Montego Bay-based artistes.

The project came together with support from local businesses, community leaders, cultural partners and was produced by Terminal 4 in Kingston.

Shuga performed at the Afro-Carib Festival stage at Miramar Regional Park in Florida on Saturday, February 28. When asked how she felt about the reception from her second time performing at Miramar Regional Park for a Caribbean crowd, she said it was a great feeling.

"To be outside of Jamaica performing for a new audience with a band and a reception like that, I'm truly grateful," she said before noting that she hopes it will not be the last.

Her first performance at the location was during the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival back in November 2024.

"To be called back means my first performance wasn't bad. When someone calls you back, that means you're doing something right," she said.