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S Hotels Jamaica has donated music memorabilia valued at $5 million to key cultural institutions in Kingston, with a vintage jukebox officially handed over to the Jamaica Music Museum on Tuesday as part of the initiative.

The donation, which includes rare artefacts tied to the evolution of Jamaica’s music industry, was made in collaboration with key stakeholders, with the Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica also in attendance at the presentation ceremony.

Christopher Issa, CEO of S Hotels Jamaica, said the initiative is deeply rooted in both personal history and a broader commitment to preserving Jamaica’s cultural legacy.

“My grandfather operated jukeboxes across Jamaica in the 1950s, and that formed part of the musical fabric of the country,” Issa said. “We felt it was important that these pieces of history be preserved and placed where the public can appreciate their value.”

He noted that the donation reflects the evolution of Jamaica’s music industry, from early distribution systems to global prominence.

“There is a deeper connection here. The individual who assisted my grandfather in servicing jukeboxes became involved in selling records, part of the early development of the industry. These stories are part of who we are,” Issa added.

Issa also pointed to Jamaica’s post-Independence push toward local manufacturing, noting that jukeboxes were once assembled locally as part of efforts to build the economy.

“At a time when Jamaica was developing its manufacturing base, even jukeboxes were assembled here. They helped to distribute music across communities and supported employment,” he said.

Beyond the memorabilia donation, Issa has expanded his support to another key Kingston heritage site—Culture Yard in Trench Town, the former home of Bob Marley.

At the location, Issa donated a statue of Joe Higgs—widely regarded as the “father of reggae” and a mentor to Marley—and is also funding the restoration of the vintage Volkswagen the reggae legend drove during his lifetime, which remains a major attraction at the site.

Executive Director of the Jamaica Music Museum, Herbie Miller, described the donation as both historically significant and part of an ongoing relationship with the private sector.

“This is not the first time Mr Issa has supported the museum, and we certainly hope it will not be the last,” Miller said, noting that sustained partnerships are essential to preserving Jamaica’s musical heritage.

He underscored the importance of the jukebox as a cultural artefact.

“Receiving a jukebox into the foundation is important because every object in this gallery carries a story,” Miller said. “These are not just machines—they represent how music was experienced, shared, and remembered.”

Miller reflected on the role jukeboxes played in Jamaican society, describing them as central to community life.

“People would gather around, select their favourite songs, play them repeatedly, sing along, and create memories. That experience is part of our social history, and preserving it is critical,” he noted.

Among those welcoming the donation was Patricia Chin, co-founder of VP Records and one of the most influential figures in the global reggae and dancehall industry.

Chin highlighted the deep historical ties between her family and Issa’s, dating back to the earliest days of Jamaica’s music distribution network.

“Your grandfather was one of the people who helped to start us in business. Both my father and my husband were servicing jukeboxes across Jamaica alongside him,” Chin said. “That’s where it all began, and more than 50 years later, we remain connected through that history.”

Her remarks underscored how the jukebox helped to shape Jamaica’s early music economy, laying the groundwork for an industry that would later achieve global reach.

The initiative forms part of S Hotels’ broader commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement, particularly in areas that celebrate Jamaica’s enduring global influence through music.