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This week, 5 Questions With ... had a quick conversation with not one, but two celebrities who have responded to the plight of Jamaicans after the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28.
American DJ and music producer Thomas Wesley Pentz, better known as Diplo from Major Lazer, and model Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young, known professionally as Winnie Harlow, have been on the ground doing humanitarian work with the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), BREDS, the Sean Paul Foundation, and Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFTP-Jamaica).
Diplo and Winnie Harlow took boats through Treasure Beach and out to Parottee in St Elizabeth to deliver food, water and supplies to families in those areas where roads have been destroyed and relief is hard to obtain.
On Wednesday, Diplo and Winnie Harlow were joined by Sean Paul and members of his foundation for a meeting with Food For The Poor to discuss how they could strengthen relief efforts. They also assisted the FFTP-Jamaica team in packaging hygiene kits and other essentials for distribution.
Diplo, who celebrated his birthday on Monday, shared his deepest feelings about his “best birthday ever” on social media.
“Spent my birthday this year in Jamaica, not throwing a party, but helping rebuild one @winnieharlow and I, alongside CORE and BREDS, took boats through Treasure Beach and out to Parottee to deliver food and water to families hit hard by Hurricane Melissa. No cake, no candles, just good people, big hearts, and real purpose,” he wrote.
“Jamaica has given me so much, the music, the people, the spirit. It’s shaped who I am and how I see the world. Even now, after so much loss, that same energy still shines. This is a strong country. Entire communities are rebuilding from nothing, and they need our help...,” Diplo added.
Winnie Harlow has also shared heartfelt posts on social media showing her interacting with people and distributing care packages.
“I am my brother’s keeper. I cried along with my country, not being able to reach our relatives to see if they were okay. Also, this disaster must bring attention to climate change. It’s my duty as a woman of Jamaican descent to use my voice,” she posted on Instagram.
1.You’ve joined the on-the-ground relief efforts here in Jamaica following the hurricane. What inspired you to personally come and assist?
Diplo: Jamaica needs help and I’m here to help. That’s the easy answer.
2.You’ve always maintained a strong connection with Jamaica through your music and your home in Portland. How has the island shaped your creative journey over the years?
Diplo: Jamaica inspires everybody so it’s very easy for me to have conversations with the music I’m making. I’ve always taken inspiration from this beautiful place so I built a studio here. I honestly just love the culture here ... the people and the music ... for me I guess it’s the whole fabric of the Jamaican culture.
3. Can you share whether your home in Portland suffered any damage during the hurricane?
Diplo: The [parish of] Portland was spared a bit on this hurricane, it hit the south coast more than anything but there are people up in the hills – in the Blue Mountains – that have been affected really hard. I been concentrating a lot of my time in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland … just been on the west side so far. Personally, I haven’t had a chance to even see my house and I have to head out to America now.
4. You’ve returned to Jamaica to support the relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa. What motivated you to get personally involved?
Winnie Harlow: It was really important for me to come out and be on the ground this time. I wanted to be on the ground, hands-on, making sure I’m pulling my weight for my country and my people.
5. Are there any fellow models, public figures, or organisations joining you in your outreach or lending support to communities most affected by the hurricane?
Winnie Harlow: I am here in Jamaica with Food For The Poor Jamaica, as well as CORE, and I actually did do some work with Food For The Poor for Hurricane Beryl. I will be back in December and I think it is really important that we continue to spread the word that help is needed.
BRAWTA
Whenever you’re back home, what’s your go-to Jamaican dish?
Winnie Harlow: My favourite dish when I’m home would have to be stew peas and white rice, but I like mine with pig tails – salty (laughs).
English (US) ·