On February 17, 2013, international reggae-dancehall artiste Orisha Sound and Jamaican music producer Sheldon Williams, popularly known as Shel K, were held up and robbed at gunpoint in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew.
The two were getting ready to shoot the music video for Sound's hit single, titled Embrace It, featuring Sizzla Kalonji.
Shel K, who was shot in the abdomen, survived after undergoing an eight-hour surgery at the Kingston Public Hospital.
Despite being advised to postpone the video shoot and leave the island, Sound bonded with her team and stayed in Jamaica to complete the production of the video.
The situation increased the determination of the Orisha Sound team to succeed in the highly competitive game of show business.
Shel K remained in critical condition for 24 hours, but recovered quickly. The video was filmed two days later, with the producer calling the shots from his hospital bed.
Later in the year, Embrace It went to No. 1 on multiple reggae anddancehall charts.
"The whole thing was a very rough experience. I was shot seven days after my birthday during Black History Month. I had a lot to do in terms of my work and I was determined to survive. The whole experience has made me stronger; it was like a rebirth," said Shell K.
Embrace It was included on Sound's 15-track album, Cupid, which was released in the United States last summer. The album also featured other locally produced tracks such as Sunshine Lady and Beautiful Sin.
One year later, Sound has no regrets about deciding to stay in Jamaica, despite the unfortunate incident.
Her latest single, World War 3, featuring Beenie Man, is getting noticed in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean.
"We don't back off because of a bad situation. We step in, deal with it and make the best out of it, no matter how hard it gets. One person can achieve a lot, but together as a team, the sky is the limit," said Sound.
Source The Gleaner: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140306/ent/ent4.html?