NotNice gives back to alma mater

Ainsley Morris, more popularly referred to as NotNice, says that if he had a chance to time-travel, he would return to high school so that he could participate in the graduation ceremony.

The Billboard-charting record producer, known for diverse rhythms that activated the lyrics of Vybz Kartel's hits such as Last Man Standing and Cake Soap, and Jah Vinci's Watch Yuh Friends and In My Life, did not get to complete studies at St Catherine High School, as he was expelled and banned from going back on the compound.

But he holds no grudges for the punishment he received. NotNice returned to the institution recently, along with fellow alumnus, dancehall producer and business partner Kram Medley, to make a donation to their alma mater.

"Kram and I came up with the idea to give $200,000 to the school, to be split equally amongst four students as a means to assist with the back-to-school period. It has been rough on a lot of the parents and guardians, and so we decided, what better place to start than the place that helped raise us," NotNice told THE STAR. "I don't remember the last time I even set foot on the compound, but I was happy to know the principal, Mr [Marlon] Campbell, welcomed us and our idea."

He shared that there was no specific music project that was dedicated to accumulating the funds, but that once they realised they could meet the goal, they did not waste any time to hand over the cheque. NotNice Records' artiste Jah Vinci also joined them on the visit to share some motivational words with students, and also gave a short performance.

"St Catherine High School has one of the leading performing arts departments and bands that needs all the support it can get. This was very important to me and to all the members of NotNice Records, because we see the good in giving. When the Almighty puts you in a position to help others, help," said NotNice. "There is a past student association, [so] we know we are not the first to give back in terms of education, but you can never help enough. This is where you start groom them [students] to be better adults. I'll always remember the impression my math teacher Miss McKenzie had on me. That class nuh miss me at all."

NotNice said that there are too many persons with potential who are missing out on an education because of a lack of funds.

"This is just the beginning of our initiative to give back. We plan to continue, and possibly increase it, because sometimes many students only fall behind in [their] studies because they cannot afford school fee, or books and other supplies," NotNice said.