Singer Joseph Velvet bets on 'Evermore' 

For reggae singer Joseph Velvet, perseverance has never been just the title of an album. It has been the defining theme of his life.

Now, the vocalist is hoping that Evermore, a newly reimagined version of a song from his Perseverance album, will introduce his music to a new generation of listeners while reminding long-time fans of the talent that first captivated reggae audiences decades ago. Originally recorded with strong R&B influences, the song has been reborn as a full-fledged reggae production.

"The idea to do a remake of this reggae version came from my son, Joseph," said the singer, whose given name is Joseph Jordan Jones. "His thinking was that, with these popular musicians and the lyrics, the song would get noticed and, as a result, there would be more views, streams and downloads."

The new recording benefits from the contributions of some of Jamaica's most respected musicians, among them saxophonist, Dean Fraser; keyboard maestro Paul ‘Wrong Move’ Crosdale; bassist Danny Basie, and several other accomplished players whose performances help elevate the song's emotional depth.

For Joseph Velvet, however, the release represents more than a new single. It is another chapter in a career marked by resilience, setbacks and an unwavering belief in music. A former resident of Cockburn Pen in Kingston, Joseph Velvet burst onto the Jamaican music scene during the late 1980s with Wildflower, a silky-smooth cover version that became a breakout hit. The song generated significant momentum, opening doors that allowed him to perform alongside some of reggae's most celebrated names, including Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond and Shaggy.

 Like many Jamaican artistes, he later migrated to the United States in pursuit of broader opportunities, performing extensively across clubs and venues while continuing to release new material. Although subsequent singles earned attention, none matched the commercial impact of Wildflower. Then came a devastating setback. Just as the singer was regaining momentum in 2003 with recordings such as Arms Around Me and Love Face, a series of motor vehicle accidents left him with severe spinal injuries. Years of rehabilitation followed, accompanied by depression and uncertainty about whether he would ever perform again.

The turning point came through the encouragement of his son, JoJo Singa, whom he affectionately describes as his number-one fan. Inspired to return to the studio, Joseph Velvet began recording once more and eventually released his debut album, Perseverance. The project reaffirmed his commitment to music and demonstrated a determination that refused to be broken by circumstance.

His recent single, Do What I Got to Do, has generated encouraging buzz, while Evermore offers another opportunity to reconnect with audiences through a message of love, endurance and hope. He also remains passionate about the future of reggae music, although he believes the genre has drifted away from some of the values that once defined it.

"The current state of reggae music, the standard has fallen, and the music differs from the original form in terms of structure and content," he said. "The lyrical content in dancehall is toxic and poisonous and, when it comes to reggae, they are not addressing conscious topics like police brutality and poverty and educating the masses."

Whether listeners agree with that assessment or not, Joseph Velvet's own music continues to reflect the principles he has embraced throughout his career: positivity, perseverance and purpose.