Digicel, Shaggy’s ‘Rise Again’ Haiti relief song available on itunes

Digicel on Wednesday announced that ‘Rise Again’ – the song written by international reggae sensation and Grammy Award-winning artist Shaggy to support the relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti on 12th January – is available on iTunes for download and purchase for 99 cents (US) now with the artists and label donating their proceeds to the Digicel Haiti relief fund.{{more}}

‘Rise Again’ is a Caribbean song, which was written and performed by Caribbean artists for the people of Haiti. And with the New York Times hailing the song as “fast becoming a post-quake anthem”, ‘Rise Again’ has had a fantastic reception and is already getting heavy rotation radio airplay and news coverage across the globe.

In addition, from mid-next week, the video to accompany ‘Rise Again’ will also be available on iTunes.

Directed by internationally renowned film and video director, Jay Will, and filmed around Port Royal in Jamaica, the video’s central theme is of people from across the Caribbean coming together to rebuild Haiti and help the people of Haiti to rise again.

From red, white and blue balloons mirroring the colours of the Haitian flag being released to aid arriving on boats and planes and a mother being gently handed her new born baby by a nurse – the images portrayed are of hope for the future – and are interspersed with actual footage of the aftermath of the earthquake.

A veteran of some 50 music-related films and videos and with roles at MTV, CBS, ESPN and NBC under his belt, Jay Will has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Kanye West, Bob Sinclar, Elephant Man, Lee Scratch Perry and Vybz Kartel.

Commenting on the video, director Jay Will said; “The devastation in Haiti and the heartbreak is immeasurable.

The aim of this video is to offer hope and a chance for change and recovery. The simple message is: throughout all things, one thing will remain true – that despite the tragedy, despite the struggle, despite the hardships, Haiti will rise again.”

Colm Delves, Group CEO of Digicel, comments; “‘Rise Again’ succeeds in being both moving and uplifting and we are delighted with the reception that it has had across the globe to date. We would like to thank everyone for their support and encourage people to log on to iTunes and purchase the song so that we can keep giving to the people of Haiti in their time of need.”

Artists featured on ‘Rise Again’ include Shaggy; Sean Paul; Sean Kingston; Barbadian Artists, Alison Hinds, Shontelle Layne and Edwin Yearwood; Trinidadian Soca Artists, Destra Garcia, David Rudder and Kes Dieffenthaller; Jamaican reggae artists, Tessanne Chin and Etana; and Haitian artiste, Belo. The track was produced by Christopher Birch.

As the single largest investor in Haiti with a total investment of over U$300 million since its launch in 2006, Digicel has over two million customers in Haiti. The Digicel Haiti Relief Fund has donated US$5 million to NGOs in Haiti to support the relief efforts and over US$600,000 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 – totaling US$10 million.

In addition, over 60 video messages of support have been recorded by well known people such as the Fastest Man in the World, Usain Bolt; President Martinelli of Panama; West Indies legend, Sir Garfield Sobers; and many more. All videos are available to view on www.facebook.com/helphaiti.