Govana hits pause on new music - Says not when so many Jamaicans are picking up the pieces after Melissa

Even with a trove of new music ready to drop, dancehall powerhouse Govana says he is holding back, citing the country's ongoing recovery from Hurricane Melissa as the reason.

"With everything happening in the country, I didn't feel upbeat about putting out music right now," he admitted.

"The timing didn't feel right, not when so many Jamaicans were still piecing their lives back together. But when the new music does arrive next year, fans can expect fresh grooves and some different types of vibes," he said.

Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica on October 28, wreaking catastrophic damage across the western parishes. At least 45 people died in the Category 5 storm, officials said, with some 360,000 people -- roughly 90,000 households -- directly affected and about 146,000 structures severely damaged or destroyed.

Govana was miles away when the storm hit, but distance didn't soften the blow. As images, videos and messages streamed in of flattened homes and displaced families, he says he felt the weight of it deeply.

"The storm never touch me physically, but it touch mi heart. When yuh see people a suffer, yuh can't just sit down and watch," reflected the artiste.

What followed was a quiet but steady stream of action. From overseas, he funded support missions into some of the most affected areas, sponsored people heading into the communities to distribute essentials, and teamed up with fellow entertainers Aidonia and Stephen 'The Genius' McGregor to send a major shipment of boards and zincs to families desperate to rebuild.

"I'm not the type to post these things online," he said.

Govana believes that Jamaica's road to recovery will not be defined by any one organisation, entertainer, or donor -- but by the combined strength of a people determined to rise again.

The artiste on Sunday volunteered at the I Love Jamaica Telethon, sponsored by Red Stripe, taking pledges and showing his commitment to seeing the nation rebuild. For him, the recovery process is about restoring hope.

"People are hurting, and it's going to take all of us -- Jamaica, the diaspora, anybody who loves the island -- to get things back on track," he said.

For Govana, rebuilding is as much about restoring spirits as restoring structures.

In the weeks since the storm, he has been struck by how much people are leaning on music to cope, and he understands that intimately.

"Even as a musician, I still rely on music to carry me through tough times," he reflects.

"I believe artistes have a special role in moments like these, not just to give financially, but to uplift spirits, shift moods, and remind people that better days are coming."

It was in that conversation about hope and resilience that Govana mentioned his recent partnership with Guinness -- a collaboration that, to him, mirrors the moment Jamaica is living through. As the country rebuilds, he sees it as proof that culture and corporate entities can stand side by side with purpose.

"Guinness stays true, and Govana stays true," he said. "It means a lot that corporate Jamaica is willing to stand beside artistes who remain grounded in the communities that shaped them. And I think the fans feel proud, too."

Known for songs such as Shallow Grung, Run Road and Bake Bean, Govana has long cemented himself as a powerhouse in dancehall, commanding attention with his various hits.

Last year he released his sophomore album, Legacy, and remains humbled by how deeply the project continues to resonate. Saved by a Psalm, in particular, has taken on a special meaning during this time of rebuilding.

"When I hear audiences sing it word for word, it still gives me goosebumps. It's one for the books," he says.

"That connection feels even more powerful now, in a time when Jamaica is pushing through loss and rebuilding piece by piece. The project's themes echo exactly what the country is experiencing: stories of struggle, perseverance, and the quiet determination to rise again."