For decades, reggae vocalist Joseph Velvet has embodied the principle of persistence that gives his debut album its name – it is not just a theme for his music, but the backbone of a decades-long career marked by triumph, hardship, and unshakable dedication to his craft. Now, the seasoned artist is breathing new life into *Evermore*, a fan-favorite track from the *Perseverance* LP, with a fresh reimagining that aims to introduce his timeless sound to younger audiences while reigniting the admiration of long-time followers who fell in love with his work decades ago.
Originally crafted with heavy R&B influences, the new iteration of *Evermore* has been fully reworked into a classic reggae production, set for global release via Jones Production with worldwide distribution handled by CD Baby. Surprisingly, the idea for the remake did not come from industry executives or long-time collaborators – it originated from Joseph Velvet’s own son, JoJo Singa.
“The push to redo this track as a full reggae version came from my son Joseph,” explains the singer, born Joseph Jordan Jones. “He believed that pairing the meaningful lyrics with the work of talented, well-known musicians would help the song get the attention it deserves, and grow streams, views, and downloads for the track.”
The new recording benefits from the contributions of some of Jamaica’s most legendary and respected reggae musicians, a lineup that reads like a hall of fame of Jamaican talent. Iconic saxophonist Dean Fraser, keyboardists Boris France and Paul “Wrong Move” Crosdale, bassist Danny Basie, and a host of other seasoned players joined the project, adding layers of emotional depth and rhythmic complexity that elevate the reworked track.
But for Joseph Velvet, the release of the new *Evermore* is far more than just another single drop. It marks the next chapter of a career defined by resilience, unforeseen setbacks, and an unwavering commitment to the power of reggae music.
Even after more than three decades in the industry, the artist acknowledges that he has never quite received the mainstream recognition he believes his work has earned. Rather than lingering on past disappointments or missed opportunities, he has stayed focused on refining his craft and sharing the heartfelt message that runs through all of his music: “Go for what you want and believe in yourself. Just believe and persevere.”
That life philosophy was forged through years of personal hardship. Born and raised in Kingston’s Cockburn Pen neighborhood, Joseph Velvet broke onto the Jamaican music scene in the late 1980s with *Wildflower*, a silky, soulful cover that became his breakout hit and earned international distribution via VP Records. The track catapulted his career, opening doors for him to share stages with some of reggae’s biggest icons, including Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, and Shaggy.
Like many Jamaican artists of his era, he later relocated to the United States chasing broader performance and recording opportunities, touring consistently across club circuits and releasing new material steadily. While follow-up singles earned critical notice, none matched the commercial success of his breakout hit *Wildflower*.
The biggest test of his resilience came in 2003. Just as Joseph Velvet was regaining industry momentum with tracks like *Arms Around Me* and *Love Face*, a series of traffic accidents left him with catastrophic spinal injuries. What followed were years of grueling rehabilitation, paired with crippling depression and agonizing uncertainty over whether he would ever step onto a stage or hold a microphone again. The tracks he had recorded ahead of the accident never saw a formal release.
“There were times when I didn’t know if I would ever sing again,” he reflected.
The turning point came once again through the encouragement of his son, JoJo Singa, whom Joseph Velvet calls his number one biggest fan. Spurred on by that support, he found the courage to return to the recording studio, eventually releasing his debut full-length album *Perseverance* – a title that perfectly encapsulates the struggles and small victories that shaped his journey. The project reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to music and proved that his determination could not be broken by circumstance.
In recent years, his previous single *Do What I Got to Do* has generated promising early buzz among reggae fans, and *Evermore* offers another chance to reconnect with global audiences, carrying a message of love, endurance, and quiet hope.
Beyond his own work, Joseph Velvet remains deeply passionate about the future of reggae as a genre, though he argues that modern reggae has strayed from the core values that once defined the sound. “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 notes. “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.”
No matter where listeners stand on that assessment, Joseph Velvet’s own discography has always reflected the principles he has lived by throughout his career: positivity, persistence, and purpose. As *Evermore* launches on global streaming platforms, the veteran artist hopes its message resonates as deeply as the story behind it – a lifelong story of talent, hardship, and an enduring refusal to give up on the music he loves.
