Charly Black to host back-to-school treat in home town

International dancehall artiste Charly Black says he feels privileged to be able to give back to his community of Rio Bueno, Trelawny as he prepares to host his annual back-to-school treat.

The event is set to take place on Sunday, September 1 at the Rio Bueno playfield. The platinum and diamond-selling Billboard artiste shared that he grew up in poor conditions while living with his aunt, and did not know his parents.

"I don't know what it is like to have that (his biological parents), even though they are still alive. It's my aunty who raised me and mi never born with a gold spoon in my mouth. So this is the main reason for my actions today, because I grew up in a community where nuff youth no have it like myself. So mi a do a one thing and the youth are looking out for it," he said.

Sunday also marks the anticipated return of the event following a four-year hiatus because of COVID-19.

"This Sunday will be even bigger, because it's the first we will be going all out on everything. We will have free rides all day for the kids; we will have free ice cream, popcorn and hot dogs for them also. We will have performances by Apache Chief and Freeman, the hilarious Granny, and entertainment by Intersetter Sound System," said the deejay.

Charly Black added that he also feels motivated by the heartfelt gratitude expressed by the parents who benefit from the treat.

"The treat is always something that I have done. I have done it more than five times now. As an artiste, I am trying to do all that I can to help my community. I see a lot of single fathers and, most of the time, after the show, they would come up to me to tell me thanks because what I did for them helped them a lot," he said.