THREE years ago while preparing to perform at a talent show in Queens, New York, singer Turban X suffered an experience every artiste dreads. He ‘lost’ his voice shortly after taking the stage.

Things got even more serious when he sought medical attention. Doctors discovered a tumour on his vocal chords and although he got a reprieve when it was diagnosed as benign, Turban X had to put his music career on hold.

After a break of nearly two years, the 38-year-old vocalist is back in the game, recording a flurry of songs and working on his first album.

“I believe God silenced me for a reason, he was showing me something,” Turban X told the Jamaica Observer. “But I decided to take the risk and start singing again.”

One of the first songs he did since returning to the recording studio was Teach The Children which is part of a compilation album to be released in Africa by an independent South African label.

Ironically, Teach The Children was recorded in New York last year and taken to South Africa by David Judah, the promoter whose talent show Turban X fell ill two years earlier.

The compilation, which includes songs by Luciano and Half Pint, is expected to be released in July.

Born Warren Whyte in Golden Spring, St Andrew, Turban X has lived in the United States since 1998. He began recording in 2009 but his first song, Jah Love, was not released.

His next two songs, Cant Trust Them and Falling Star were self-produced but his momentum was stalled by his vocal scare.

Since the start of the year, Turban X has been working with veteran singer/producer Ed Robinson, a partnership that has so far yielded the songs Paradise Jamaica and Father’s Love which will be included on his upcoming album.