Admitting that corporate resources have been redirected to rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Ghetto Splash’s chief organiser, Patrick Roberts, says the annual free concert will not be held this year.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer’s Splash while attending the annual Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony, held on Wednesday, December 9 at St William Grant Park in downtown Kingston, Roberts shared that, while the free stage show would have undoubtedly helped to lift the spirits of many Jamaicans during the holiday season, relief efforts remain the country’s top priority — a move he wholeheartedly understands and agrees with.

“It has been challenging working behind the scenes to still have the event this year, and we have to just understand that, while it may be a sad outcome this year, it is justified. The fact that Melissa devastated the island just a few weeks ago has really taken a toll on a lot of corporate entities,” he said. “They’re now putting their resources towards rebuilding efforts, and we understand and agree with that. We wanted to do the show, but it was very difficult, and so we decided to pass on this year and focus on coming back in 2026.”

Roberts shared that corporate Jamaica’s prioritisation of relief initiatives was not the only reason behind the show’s cancellation, as many of the artistes who would have given of their talent free of cost have also been tending to the needs of their fellow Jamaicans in the west.

“A lot of the artistes have launched their charity work and have been visiting the affected areas. Many of them are drawing on their own resources, which is commendable, and so they would not have been able to lend us their usual support this year, and we also understand that,” he continued. “They’ve been on the ground committing their time, and I just want to take this opportunity to big them up on that. It shows that the entertainment industry is very capable of lending its support in many different ways as the need arises.”

Having grappled with sponsorship woes over the past few years, Roberts says that, while skipping a year may do more harm than good to the annual event, he remains optimistic that its 2026 return will be bigger and better.

“You know what, I’m not even worried about 2026 because we paused during COVID and managed to bounce back after that. In 2020 and 2021 the show didn’t happen, and in 2022 we came back with a bang. I am confident that we will do it again next year,” he said. “This is one of those shows that the people look forward to during the holidays, and maybe it’s disappointing this year, but we will start with promotions early next year and get the artistes on board, and we will be back bigger and better.”

Ghetto Splash has been a staple on the Christmas calendar for over three decades and has been held at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium for the past 10 years. Over the years, the concert has attracted immense support from the entertainment fraternity and has seen performances from the likes of Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Aidonia, Pamputtae, D Angel, Agent Sasco, Jahshii, Bugle, Govana, and many more.

A section of the Ghetto Splash crowd inside Waterhouse Mini Stadium in 2018.