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‘It pain mi heart’ - KipRich moved to tears by Hurricane Melissa’s impact
November 18, 2025
Dancehall artiste KipRich says he has been deeply shaken by the stories and scenes of destruction in western Jamaica, where thousands are still struggling to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Melissa.
With his voice heavy with emotion, he described the images as almost unbearable.
"It bring tears to me," the Loyalty artiste said. "Mi cry deep inside when mi see weh people really a guh through."
Melissa - the most powerful storm to hit Jamaica since records began 174 years ago - left at least 45 people dead and more than 300,000 affected. Western parishes bore the brunt of the blow, with approximately 146,000 buildings sustaining major to severe structural damage, ranging from extensive roof loss to total collapse.
For KipRich, the suffering of the survivors was particularly difficult to witness.
"One lady tell mi seh from di storm pass shi nuh sleep in a bed, she affi sit up every night until day light," he recounted.
"Mi see a 98-year old lady on a mattress weh mildew, yuh a see inna di sky from her house. It's not like these people have options, dem affi live and stay inna it. When mi see dem kinda things, dem pain mi heart," he added.
As the country grapples with the aftermath, Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora have rallied, donating food, clothing and other supplies while volunteers descended on the hardest-hit communities. Among those using their influence to help are members of the entertainment fraternity, mobilising their platforms and resources to support recovery efforts.
Kizzy and KipRich, known for their popular cooking vlogs, were among those on the ground in Siloah, St Elizabeth, where they prepared hot meals and distributed care packages to affected families. The pair "ran a boat" along the street-side with residents, creating a moment of comfort in the midst of hardship. Kizzy said the emotions were overwhelming.
"People were crying," she shared, noting that many expressed profound gratitude despite their losses.
Seeking to provide more than just relief, KipRich used the moment to call for greater recognition of entertainers' role in national life.
"I think this should even mek di government respect we [entertainers] more because a we deh pon di ground and all wi can hear from di government a baay planning," he said. "It just prove dat we are for the people and we are truly the voice of the people," he added.
"Mi just waah di people know, wi in dis together, wi not leaving them until better come. Just be optimistic and keep your minds and spirits up," he urged.
He also cautioned artistes against exploiting the tragedy for commercial gain.
If he were to produce a Melissa-inspired track, he said, it would not be to "try and get a hit song from di people dem pain". He said that he would donate the proceeds to affected families or channel them through his charity to support continued relief efforts.
