Jesse Royal, Beres Hammond, and MediSun Unite to Honor the Island with “Born In Jamaica”

Reggae artist Jesse Royal joins forces with legendary Beres Hammond and rising talent MediSun for a cinematic Jamaican Independence Day release, featured on Grammy-winning artist manager Natalie Prospere’s upcoming compilation album

L-R: Medisun, Beres Hammond and Jesse Royal on the set (Photo: Nickii Kane)

To mark Jamaican Independence Day, industry trailblazer Natalie Prospere brings together Grammy-nominated roots reggae artist Jesse Royal, legendary Beres Hammond and genre-blending newcomer MediSun for the heartfelt and cinematic music video “Born In Jamaica.” The track, produced by acclaimed Jamaican producer JLL, is part of Prospere’s upcoming compilation album Friends Only: Volume 1.

The “Born In Jamaica” music video is truly a love letter to Jamaica: the boat scene from the video was filmed in Port Royal, a recently named UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Jamaica Tourist Board, recognizing the video’s cultural significance, proudly collaborated on the project.

Shot on location in Jamaica, the video marks the directorial debut of emerging filmmakers Paris Hines and Keaton Greene. With Paris’s bold creative vision and Keaton’s refined visual sensibility, the duo delivers a striking, emotionally resonant piece that brings rich texture and depth to every frame.

Enhancing the visual narrative, acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Khalik Allah contributed select footage from his celebrated film Black Mother. The integration of his archival material adds a powerful layer of spiritual and cultural depth, further enriching the emotional landscape of the vibrant final piece.

“Born in Jamaica is a great reminder of Jamaica’s impact on the world to others, but also a reminder to Jamaicans that we provide a vibe that can’t be denied! From music to food to fashion to culture, Jamaica is a little dot on the map with an incredibly huge impact. This song is the Second National Anthem!” shared reggae star Jesse Royal.

Emerging talent MediSun added, “Jamaica is a symbol of rebellion, creativity, and spiritual power. To embody the beacon of light that Rastafari culture provides globally, with the blessing of the living legend (Beres Hammond), is truly an homage to our ancestry. Co-creating the moment with my sister, and some of my most respected peers, makes it even more magical.”

Music executive and Grammy-winning artist manager Natalie Prospere shared, “As a proud descendant of Jamaica, this moment is honestly a dream come true. Beres Hammond has been the soundtrack to my life since I was born. To be able to release this song and video with him—an anthem of Jamaican pride—is an absolute honor. I am eternally thankful to Jesse Royal, my brother MediSun, and everyone involved in making this a reality.”

The project is strongly supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board as part of its mission to market Jamaica as a premier and iconic destination with a rich history. Kris DaCosta, Destination Marketing Manager, shared, “We are proud to support Born In Jamaica as a powerful celebration of our culture, music, and people. This project is part of our efforts to future-proof destination marketing by tapping into authentic storytelling and leveraging the voices of Jamaican icons to share our spirit with the world. Through initiatives like this, we're finding new, meaningful ways to connect global audiences to the heartbeat of Jamaica."

“Born In Jamaica” appears on Friends Only: Volume 1, the debut compilation from Friends Only—a global creative collective and music label founded by Natalie Prospere in partnership with Disney Music Group. The project is a sonic tribute to the Caribbean, built on friendship, creativity, and a mission to uplift the region’s culture.