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As Jamaica continues to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, local music collective Island Kings is stepping forward with music and community spirit. On Sunday, December 21, the group will host Kings of Christmas, a charity concert and Hurricane Melissa relief initiative, at the Sunken Gardens in Hope Botanical Gardens, St Andrew.
The event, spearheaded by Island Kings member and Off The Grid Foundation Executive Director Adiel ‘King Diel’ Thomas, promises a night of uplifting performances infused with purpose. Speaking with The Gleaner, King Diel shared that the inspiration behind this year’s concert came from a deep desire to give back at a time when many Jamaicans are struggling to recover.
“After everything Jamaica is facing right now … we wanted to use our platform for more than entertainment,” he said. “Island Kings has always been about family, unity, culture, and uplifting people. Turning our Christmas concert into a benefit event allows us to give back in a real, tangible way during a time when so many families are trying to rebuild and hold on to hope.”
The group is doing more than simply donating proceeds, as half of every ticket sale will go directly toward purchasing gifts for affected children across the parishes of St Elizabeth, Trelawny, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St James. In partnership with the Off The Grid Foundation, the team aims to distribute gifts to 1,000 children.
The concert also doubles as a large-scale toy drive. Patrons are being encouraged to bring toys to place under what organisers describe as a “big Christmas tree”, which will become a symbolic centrepiece of generosity before those toys make their journey to families across the island.
RESTORING MAGIC
“They can expect joy. They can expect love. They can expect to feel remembered,” King Diel said when asked what kids can look forward to. “A lot of children lost everything, including the little comforts that make them feel safe. We want to restore some of that magic. Our goal is to give them a moment of brightness in a very dark time.”
Musically, Kings of Christmas is shaping up to be a meaningful, high-energy holiday showcase. Island Kings promises a dynamic, family-friendly performance filled with a mix of soulful vocals, harmonies and Jamaican-inspired performances that reflect both the holiday spirit and our Jamaican roots.
“Our goal is to make the night feel inspiring, joyful, even therapeutic, and worth every moment out of your home,” according to the singer. Choosing music as the vehicle for this fundraising, King Diel says, was both intentional and organic.
“Music is our gift, and it’s one of Jamaica’s greatest healing tools. It brings people together, lifts spirits, and reminds us that, even in hardship, we can still find light. Using music allows us to connect with people emotionally while raising funds in a way that feels natural to who we are as artistes.”
Beyond the stage, King Diel himself has been actively involved in on-the-ground relief efforts since the passing of Hurricane Melissa. The concert, he explains, is not only an event, but a community movement.
“This is not just a concert, it’s a community effort,” he emphasised. “Everyone who attends becomes part of the relief mission.”
With hopes of turning the debut Kings of Christmas into an annual tradition, Island Kings aims to create a new holiday legacy, one that blends music, charity, and the indomitable spirit of Jamaican resilience.
“Most importantly, this event is our way of honouring the resilience of Jamaican people,” King Diel said, adding,“No matter what hits us, we rebuild together.”
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