April 18, 2026 • 8 mins
It's been months since Jamaica was devastated by Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms that's ever been recorded in the Atlantic basin. The cleanup and rebuild is expected to take years, if not decades, but as the storm made its way out of the headlines, the much-needed assistance started to dwindle, too. JAM'N 94.5's DJ Pup Dawg is celebrating 25 years in the industry by pulling together reggae icons at Big Night Live on May 7th, and it won't just be any party - he's rallying the community to send some big love and assistance down to Jamaica! Pup joins Nichole to talk about his big anniversary and share details about the upcoming event.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each week right here, we come together, we talk about
all the topics important to you and the place where
you live. To have you with us this week, I'm
Nicole Davis. If you're a local here in the Boston
area and you happen to be in to rap and reggae,
there's a pretty good chance you know who DJ pop
Dog is. For twenty five years, he's been entertaining those
(00:28):
of us in Boston on the airwaves and the DJ decks,
and of course he's on jamm in ninety four to five.
You can hear him several times a day. That's one
of our sister stations here at iHeart Boston. Now, as
he gets ready to celebrate this huge anniversary again twenty
five years, he is also taking time to rally those
of us here to help those in need hundreds of
miles away. It's all coming up on May seventh. It
(00:49):
is the Pop and Friends Benefit Concert. This is all
happening at Big Night Live right there by the Garden
and North Station. I went down the hall the other
day to the jam in ninety four to five studios,
sat down and talked with him about this. Listen, in
looking at you, you would not know you've been here
for twenty five years. But you've been here for twenty
five years, and that is something to be really proud of.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I think, thank you very much. Yes, it's gone by
quick man. This is my twenty fifth and October is
gonna be twenty five years.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Wow, that is incredible. I mean, tell me a little
bit before we get started about talking about this fundraiser event.
What does it mean to you to not just be
in like one place for twenty five years, but in
such a dynamic place.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Oh, I've been with the It's been an extraordinary I
just love every minute of it. Started from djaying and
being able to do you know, being around what you
love as a hobby, to do whatever. Yeah, for pretty
much my whole life now and it's been great.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
And you grow as a person too, I think with
all these experiences.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Definitely.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Yeah. So to celebrate this, we are talking about this
fundraiser of yours, Pop and friends taking over Big Night
Live and a guy I think some of us have
probably heard of, you know, through the years, is showing up.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Just a guy named Shaggy Grammy.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Yeah, you know, a couple hits here and there. How
did you get Shaggy involved with this?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So I'm really I feel like my because of my
love for reggae and dance hall, it took my career
at a whole different level because that culture really accepted
me and really helped me with my career. And Shaggy
was one of those Shaggy, Sean Paul, these are all
friends that I've actually traveled and toured with, and Shaggy
is one of those guys. And I was like, you
know what, they're going through some stuff right now with
(02:21):
the hurricane Melissa. Yeah, they had some relief fun and
then it kind of went it went missing again, you know.
So it was like, you know, I've DJed a lot
of fundraisers and charity events my whole career. I was like,
now it's time to step it up. It's my twenty
fifth year. Let's make a bigger impact.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
It really bothers me how that happens sometimes when it
comes to like hurricane relief, especially in a beautiful place
like Jamaica. You know, they need all the help they
can get. But as it goes out of the news cycle,
people forget right and the next tragedy comes along, but
there is still so much that needs to be done
down there, exactly.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
I was actually just talking to Bob Marley's grandson, Skip Marley,
and we were talking about how it really needs to
like you, thank you for you guys for doing this,
but yeah, every weeks because people just you know, there's
so much going on around in the world, and we
get it, so we have to stay in front of
it and just make sure our people over there are
getting helped with too.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
You know.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Yeah, yeah, what are you hearing down there right now?
How is the cleanup going?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
It was really well and then like again, it kind
of fell back, and now I think people are coming back.
But that culture, they're resilient, many they work together. Everyone's
come together, so they're moving along. And you know, it's
a very touristy town, so the tourists kind of stopped
a little bit, but I feel like it's coming back
again now. So that's that's how they thrive out there
for sure.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
You know. So, what's it like putting together a fundraiser
like this? Not only just like the personal significance, but
like the moving parts. Tell me what it's like to
put together someone I.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Didn't realize how much. So I'm producing the whole show too,
so it's okay. Yeah, so it's a lot.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
It's a lot.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I might, you know, give a lot of props to
you know, these Live Nation monsters that produce these shows.
I mean this is a just small scale, but even
our promotions department here at iHeart, we don't realize how
much goes into it.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
You know.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
I was like, oh, we're gonna throw benefits concert. Cool,
and then you realize all to do that.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Yeah, it's good because that's how we've always operated because
they always handle everything right. Yeah, And luckily Iheart's really
gotten behind it and they're gonna support and helping out.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
You guys are helping me out.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Kiss got involved, So it's really nice that the team
is all getting behind this.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
All right, So tell us a little bit about them.
What people will expect when they get a ticket and
they show up Beside Shaggy of course, who's gonna be there.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
So Shaggy is definitely the highlight. There's a couple other
big reggae artists. If you're part of the culture, you
know this girl named Hot Celebrity. She goes by Tina.
Now she had a big record called Walking Trophy in
the culture. She's pretty big. And then Tiffa another big
one in the reggae culture. Just smashes, they got fun times.
I got DJ sus One from our sister station in
New York on Power Plus up my jam in mixers.
(04:47):
So it's gonna be a it's gonna be a party
slash concert mix epic. Yeah, so it's gonna like ten
minute DJ set, fifteen to twenty minute artists set, DJ
set minute artists said.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
And then Shaggy is gonna finish it off.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
Okay, I'm seeing that. I feel a lot more in
the music culture these days. I go to a lot
of shows and I feel like they're breaking it up
more off, and that DJs are getting a little bit
more time. You would know firsthand. Yeah, you know, are
you noticing that shift in in live music culture?
Speaker 2 (05:17):
I am, because it's people don't want that downtime right.
They want to keep them energetic, they want to keep
it moving, and even just to bring the main act
out on a regular show, you got to keep that
crowd engaged in hype. And now if there's three hour wait,
I know, I don't like to go a show you know, Yeah,
you're just standing there. By the time the artist comes out,
you're like, I'm beat, you know, out of here.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Yeah, it's a Tuesday, you got to keep me awake.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
So it's going to be an early show.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
It's a seven o'clock doors, eight o'clock, the DJ will
come on, and then by ten ten thirty we should
be you know, it's gonna be fun and just going
to keep it moving exactly how I would like to
see a show. I'm hoping that's how it goes.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
I finger scrapped. I'm sure it will. And how much
are you trying to raise here for this relief effort
for Jamaica?
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Ten thousand dollars should be easy, though.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Yes, we're not all drawning in money right now, but
every little bit helps.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Right Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
So, I mean with Shaggy's support, you know, obviously moving
them around. He's not charging hut celebrity and Tiffa. It's
literally we're keeping the ticket prices really cheap.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Preset was thirty five dollars and regular right now this
tickets are on salf for forty five dollars.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
You can't find a forty five dollars ticket in this
region right now for anything.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Yes, yeah, so it's not a profit thing. It's a
it's a we're getting this ten thousand dollars check. I
want to hand it that night. We're gonna you know,
and present it from all of us that come out,
because it's gonna be from every single eleven hundred people
that are going to be in there.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
We want it. It's going to represent from all of us.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
That is incredible. So where can people get these tickets?
How can they get involved?
Speaker 2 (06:43):
It's even more legit. It's a Ticketmaster. It's like legit
spy guy. So yeah, sorry about their fees, which I
can't control, but they are keeping the fees a little
bit lower, so they're not it's not the gouging that helps.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Yeah, I'll kind So just go on Ticketmaster search for
what Shaggy or DJ pop Dog. How can they find sure?
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yeah, Big Night Live. I'm sure Shaggy is on there.
I think they got mine as a keyword in there
to DJ pub Dog. But yeah, Shaggy, Big Night Live, Boston,
May seventh.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Where can people follow you? And if they haven't already
started following you because you're like such a big name
of this community, how can they follow what you're up to?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Simple, djpup Dawg, DJ Pubdog.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
All right, word on Instagram and all the.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Other Yes, everything is the same TikTok.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I do a lot of I don't do any dances,
but a lot of the interview clips when artists are
sitting right where you are. You know, those get chopped
up on my YouTube shorts and all that. Ok.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yeah, everything is DJ pub Dog all right?
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Cool?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
And when are you on jam? And some people can
hear you?
Speaker 2 (07:37):
I do the morning show mix every morning seven and
nine o'clock. I do the Back in the Day buffet
every day at twelve o'clock, and then my show starts
at three o'clock three afternoon Drive from three to nine,
and then I do two mixes in there, five and
six o'clock mixes.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Do you sleep asleep?
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Right?
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Look at I have a little couch thing right there.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
I can confirm he actually does.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Well, DJ pop Dog, I mean, thank you for all
you're doing for the people of Jamaica, and we hope
to see you there and.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Have a great time real quick, nicolled. So this is
my first one, but I'm going to do two a
year and then going forward is not going to be.
It's gonna be for Boston. It's gonna be music programs
in schools for not like a district, but like say
a music program, say Roxbury. I'm just giving you an example.
Roxbury has a music program. So we're gonna, like do
a ten thousand dollars check for their music program. That's
my goal. And then five years I want to do
(08:22):
the TD Garden. So putting this out there with you, Nicole,
we're breaking news right now.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
You're manifesting this. I love this.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Yeah, Ito is definitely happening. The next one will be
in October.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
I look forward, and you know what, why don't you
come back on and talk with us about it. When
we get to that point.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
When I find out what school we're going to donate to,
we'll definitely do that. You're the best.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
Have a safe and healthy weekend. Please join us again
next week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole
Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each week right here, we come together, we talk about
all the topics important to you and the place where
you live. To have you with us this week, I'm
Nicole Davis. If you're a local here in the Boston
area and you happen to be in to rap and reggae,
there's a pretty good chance you know who DJ pop
Dog is. For twenty five years, he's been entertaining those
(00:28):
of us in Boston on the airwaves and the DJ decks,
and of course he's on jamm in ninety four to five.
You can hear him several times a day. That's one
of our sister stations here at iHeart Boston. Now, as
he gets ready to celebrate this huge anniversary again twenty
five years, he is also taking time to rally those
of us here to help those in need hundreds of
miles away. It's all coming up on May seventh. It
(00:49):
is the Pop and Friends Benefit Concert. This is all
happening at Big Night Live right there by the Garden
and North Station. I went down the hall the other
day to the jam in ninety four to five studios,
sat down and talked with him about this. Listen, in
looking at you, you would not know you've been here
for twenty five years. But you've been here for twenty
five years, and that is something to be really proud of.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I think, thank you very much. Yes, it's gone by
quick man. This is my twenty fifth and October is
gonna be twenty five years.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Wow, that is incredible. I mean, tell me a little
bit before we get started about talking about this fundraiser event.
What does it mean to you to not just be
in like one place for twenty five years, but in
such a dynamic place.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Oh, I've been with the It's been an extraordinary I
just love every minute of it. Started from djaying and
being able to do you know, being around what you
love as a hobby, to do whatever. Yeah, for pretty
much my whole life now and it's been great.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
And you grow as a person too, I think with
all these experiences.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Definitely.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Yeah. So to celebrate this, we are talking about this
fundraiser of yours, Pop and friends taking over Big Night
Live and a guy I think some of us have
probably heard of, you know, through the years, is showing up.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Just a guy named Shaggy Grammy.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Yeah, you know, a couple hits here and there. How
did you get Shaggy involved with this?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So I'm really I feel like my because of my
love for reggae and dance hall, it took my career
at a whole different level because that culture really accepted
me and really helped me with my career. And Shaggy
was one of those Shaggy, Sean Paul, these are all
friends that I've actually traveled and toured with, and Shaggy
is one of those guys. And I was like, you
know what, they're going through some stuff right now with
(02:21):
the hurricane Melissa. Yeah, they had some relief fun and
then it kind of went it went missing again, you know.
So it was like, you know, I've DJed a lot
of fundraisers and charity events my whole career. I was like,
now it's time to step it up. It's my twenty
fifth year. Let's make a bigger impact.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
It really bothers me how that happens sometimes when it
comes to like hurricane relief, especially in a beautiful place
like Jamaica. You know, they need all the help they
can get. But as it goes out of the news cycle,
people forget right and the next tragedy comes along, but
there is still so much that needs to be done
down there, exactly.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
I was actually just talking to Bob Marley's grandson, Skip Marley,
and we were talking about how it really needs to
like you, thank you for you guys for doing this,
but yeah, every weeks because people just you know, there's
so much going on around in the world, and we
get it, so we have to stay in front of
it and just make sure our people over there are
getting helped with too.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
You know.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Yeah, yeah, what are you hearing down there right now?
How is the cleanup going?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
It was really well and then like again, it kind
of fell back, and now I think people are coming back.
But that culture, they're resilient, many they work together. Everyone's
come together, so they're moving along. And you know, it's
a very touristy town, so the tourists kind of stopped
a little bit, but I feel like it's coming back
again now. So that's that's how they thrive out there
for sure.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
You know. So, what's it like putting together a fundraiser
like this? Not only just like the personal significance, but
like the moving parts. Tell me what it's like to
put together someone I.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Didn't realize how much. So I'm producing the whole show too,
so it's okay. Yeah, so it's a lot.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
It's a lot.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I might, you know, give a lot of props to
you know, these Live Nation monsters that produce these shows.
I mean this is a just small scale, but even
our promotions department here at iHeart, we don't realize how
much goes into it.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
You know.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
I was like, oh, we're gonna throw benefits concert. Cool,
and then you realize all to do that.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Yeah, it's good because that's how we've always operated because
they always handle everything right. Yeah, And luckily Iheart's really
gotten behind it and they're gonna support and helping out.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
You guys are helping me out.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Kiss got involved, So it's really nice that the team
is all getting behind this.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
All right, So tell us a little bit about them.
What people will expect when they get a ticket and
they show up Beside Shaggy of course, who's gonna be there.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
So Shaggy is definitely the highlight. There's a couple other
big reggae artists. If you're part of the culture, you
know this girl named Hot Celebrity. She goes by Tina.
Now she had a big record called Walking Trophy in
the culture. She's pretty big. And then Tiffa another big
one in the reggae culture. Just smashes, they got fun times.
I got DJ sus One from our sister station in
New York on Power Plus up my jam in mixers.
(04:47):
So it's gonna be a it's gonna be a party
slash concert mix epic. Yeah, so it's gonna like ten
minute DJ set, fifteen to twenty minute artists set, DJ
set minute artists said.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
And then Shaggy is gonna finish it off.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
Okay, I'm seeing that. I feel a lot more in
the music culture these days. I go to a lot
of shows and I feel like they're breaking it up
more off, and that DJs are getting a little bit
more time. You would know firsthand. Yeah, you know, are
you noticing that shift in in live music culture?
Speaker 2 (05:17):
I am, because it's people don't want that downtime right.
They want to keep them energetic, they want to keep
it moving, and even just to bring the main act
out on a regular show, you got to keep that
crowd engaged in hype. And now if there's three hour wait,
I know, I don't like to go a show you know, Yeah,
you're just standing there. By the time the artist comes out,
you're like, I'm beat, you know, out of here.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Yeah, it's a Tuesday, you got to keep me awake.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
So it's going to be an early show.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
It's a seven o'clock doors, eight o'clock, the DJ will
come on, and then by ten ten thirty we should
be you know, it's gonna be fun and just going
to keep it moving exactly how I would like to
see a show. I'm hoping that's how it goes.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
I finger scrapped. I'm sure it will. And how much
are you trying to raise here for this relief effort
for Jamaica?
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Ten thousand dollars should be easy, though.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Yes, we're not all drawning in money right now, but
every little bit helps.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Right Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
So, I mean with Shaggy's support, you know, obviously moving
them around. He's not charging hut celebrity and Tiffa. It's
literally we're keeping the ticket prices really cheap.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Preset was thirty five dollars and regular right now this
tickets are on salf for forty five dollars.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
You can't find a forty five dollars ticket in this
region right now for anything.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Yes, yeah, so it's not a profit thing. It's a
it's a we're getting this ten thousand dollars check. I
want to hand it that night. We're gonna you know,
and present it from all of us that come out,
because it's gonna be from every single eleven hundred people
that are going to be in there.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
We want it. It's going to represent from all of us.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
That is incredible. So where can people get these tickets?
How can they get involved?
Speaker 2 (06:43):
It's even more legit. It's a Ticketmaster. It's like legit
spy guy. So yeah, sorry about their fees, which I
can't control, but they are keeping the fees a little
bit lower, so they're not it's not the gouging that helps.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Yeah, I'll kind So just go on Ticketmaster search for
what Shaggy or DJ pop Dog. How can they find sure?
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yeah, Big Night Live. I'm sure Shaggy is on there.
I think they got mine as a keyword in there
to DJ pub Dog. But yeah, Shaggy, Big Night Live, Boston,
May seventh.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Where can people follow you? And if they haven't already
started following you because you're like such a big name
of this community, how can they follow what you're up to?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Simple, djpup Dawg, DJ Pubdog.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
All right, word on Instagram and all the.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Other Yes, everything is the same TikTok.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I do a lot of I don't do any dances,
but a lot of the interview clips when artists are
sitting right where you are. You know, those get chopped
up on my YouTube shorts and all that. Ok.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yeah, everything is DJ pub Dog all right?
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Cool?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
And when are you on jam? And some people can
hear you?
Speaker 2 (07:37):
I do the morning show mix every morning seven and
nine o'clock. I do the Back in the Day buffet
every day at twelve o'clock, and then my show starts
at three o'clock three afternoon Drive from three to nine,
and then I do two mixes in there, five and
six o'clock mixes.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Do you sleep asleep?
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Right?
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Look at I have a little couch thing right there.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
I can confirm he actually does.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Well, DJ pop Dog, I mean, thank you for all
you're doing for the people of Jamaica, and we hope
to see you there and.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Have a great time real quick, nicolled. So this is
my first one, but I'm going to do two a
year and then going forward is not going to be.
It's gonna be for Boston. It's gonna be music programs
in schools for not like a district, but like say
a music program, say Roxbury. I'm just giving you an example.
Roxbury has a music program. So we're gonna, like do
a ten thousand dollars check for their music program. That's
my goal. And then five years I want to do
(08:22):
the TD Garden. So putting this out there with you, Nicole,
we're breaking news right now.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
You're manifesting this. I love this.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Yeah, Ito is definitely happening. The next one will be
in October.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
I look forward, and you know what, why don't you
come back on and talk with us about it. When
we get to that point.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
When I find out what school we're going to donate to,
we'll definitely do that. You're the best.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
Have a safe and healthy weekend. Please join us again
next week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole
Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
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