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 veteran 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 longtime fans of the talent that first captivated reggae audiences decades ago.

Originally recorded with strong R&B influences, Evermore has been reborn as a full-fledged reggae production and is being re-released through Jones Production with worldwide distribution by CD Baby.

The idea for the remake came from an unlikely source: his son.

“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. The lineup reads like a roll call of reggae excellence, featuring saxophonist Dean Fraser, keyboardist Boris France, 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.

Despite decades in the industry, the singer admits that he has not always received the recognition he believes his work deserves. Yet rather than dwelling on missed opportunities, he continues to focus on his craft and the message he hopes to share through his music.

“Go for what you want and believe in yourself,” he said. “Just believe and persevere.”

His philosophy was forged through personal adversity.

A native 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 and was distributed internationally by VP Records.

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 songs he had recorded during that period were never released.

“There were times when I didn’t know if I would ever sing again,” he has reflected.

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 — a title that perfectly captured the struggles and triumphs that had defined his journey.

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.

The veteran singer 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.

As Evermore begins its journey on streaming platforms worldwide, the singer hopes the song’s message will resonate just as strongly as the story behind it—a story of talent, adversity and an enduring refusal to give up.