There is no shortage of anguish on television news in Jamaica — from homicides to domestic abuse and missing children.

It was while watching one of those newscasts that singer Hezron was inspired to write Resilience, a song released May 1 by his Hardshield Records.

“It was an incident I watched on TVJ News in which a man left his wife and child at home in the night to fill his motorcycle with gas so he wouldn’t have to stop while going to work the next day. While he was at the gas station gunmen came and started a shootout with others and he was accidentally shot and killed during the process,” Hezron recalled.

“The raw, agonising pain of his wife when she told the news reporter about the story transcended and ignited the chords and melody in my heart. And what also inspired me was when she was asked how she would manage. She replied, ‘As long as there is life I will continue to survive’.”

The St James-born artiste produced Resilience which he says many Jamaicans, including himself, can relate to. He added that there are countless stories of people overcoming personal and professional challenges in a country beset by economic woes and chronic crime.

In Hezron’s case, it was an “indiscretion” while living in the United States 20 years ago that prevented him from travelling there for several years. The matter was resolved four years ago.

Like the wife of the slain motorcyclist, he said his will was unwavering throughout that ordeal though there were times of frustration.

“My life has always been about overcoming. Personally, resilience to me means never giving up or backing down. This song is just a reminder to all of us that, don’t forget that unique quality we all share, we just need to tap into it and we will overcome any obstacle,” said Hezron.

— Howard Campbell