Lila Iké and Shaggy headlined the Issa Trust Foundation’s benefit concert held last Saturday at Couples Resort, delivering standout performances at a well-orchestrated, all-inclusive affair.
From start to finish, the evening was seamless. Entry into the venue was smooth with no traffic delays—not due to a lack of attendees, but thanks to well-planned logistics that included police escorts and shuttle buses for patrons. The event drew a high-profile crowd, including Usain Bolt, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and Lady Allen, wife of the Governor General.
The culinary offerings matched the prestige of the event, with a 10/10 dining experience featuring Jamaican favorites like curried goat, shrimp, and more—adding to the warm, elegant ambiance.
WMV arrived just in time to catch Lila Iké’s performance, which was nothing short of mesmerizing. Taking the stage in a vibrant yellow-green floor-length gown—ruched at the waist with an asymmetric neckline—Iké exuded confidence and style, her natural afro completing the radiant look.
Marking the 5th anniversary of her debut EP The Experience, Lila performed standout tracks like “Forget Me” and “Fry Plantain” with raw emotion and vocal precision. Her delivery was both soul-stirring and intimate, commanding full attention from the audience throughout her set.
Then came Shaggy, making his long-awaited return to a Jamaican stage after more than five years. He kicked off his set with “Mood” before launching into the platinum-certified anthem “Boombastic,” immediately bringing the crowd—dignitaries and all—to their feet.
With the help of a live instrument substitute software known as Ableton Live, Mr. Boombastic performed with just a drummer and pianist, delivering a masterful 90-minute set full of energy and charisma. Alongside his longtime collaborator Rayvon, he revisited global hits like “Angel” and “Strength of a Woman,” while also previewing new material, including “Til a Mawnin’” and a stunning unreleased rendition of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” set to appear on his upcoming album.
A highlight of his set when when he brought out Maxi Preist after seeing him backstage to sing their hit “That Girl.” He shared with the audience that it was a special moment as Maxi was guy to take him on tour.
Shaggy sang every song to the very last note, fully engaged with his audience. By the time he closed with the timeless smash “It Wasn’t Me,” the crowd was completely enthralled—a fitting end to a night of world-class music and purpose.
