Palmer-Caesar puts focus on youth
GOSPEL singer Sherene Palmer-Caesar is seeking to inspire and uplift the youth with her latest single Survivor.
“I was inspired to write Survivor because when I look at today’s society a lot of youth are losing faith and lowering their standard, meaning that if we’re supposed to do a survey and ask the question, ‘What are the things youth are suffering from in today’s nation?’ I guarantee that around 85 per cent or more would say, ‘Not knowing their worth, suicidal thoughts, believing that other persons opinions are more valid than theirs’ — which then lead to depression,” Palmer-Caesar told the Jamaica Observer.
“In saying that crime and violence increases within our youth — and the sad thing about it, many of these youth that get themselves in violence, hang out on the streets, get involved in scamming, become exotic performers or rob people — they are so educated but because they believe that no one believes in them they try to fit into something that they are seeking help to become. The youth are the future, and we can’t keep planting negative seeds within them, saying nothing good will come from them or they are worthless, or comparing them with others. Those things help to impact them in a negative way… The reason I decided to send this message to the youth is because I want them to know that despite the negativity that they’re constantly hearing, the failures that they keep on receiving and not having anyone around them, I want them to always remember that I, Ruth-Sherene, a youth advocate, is cheering for them because it’s okay if it didn’t work the first, second or even the third time. Get up again, because it doesn’t matter how many times you fail, you are a survivor and you will survive and that’s what our youth need — just a bit of reassurance that someone believes in them and love them,” she continued.
Survivor was released on November 25 and is co-produced by Palmer-Caesar and Brandon Johnson.
Palmer-Caesar is working on her debut album which also includes production by Tarique Foster. The project is set for release early next year.
Palmer-Caesar walked away from a budding career in secular music seven years ago. Earlier this year she had one of the biggest songs on gospel radio with Victory. The life-changing song, which has taken the singer from obscurity, was inspired by a personal experience.
Born in Kingston, Palmer-Caesar spent some of her formative years in St Thomas. She has been singing since her teens and recorded Ride or Die, and Dirty Attitude.
In 2015 she transitioned to gospel music.
“The Holy Spirit led me to gospel music. As we know, gospel music has been of great influence to our nation. He wants to speak to his people through this medium and I am one of the people that He selected to do so,” Palmer said. “Truth be told, there are several gospel singers out there but the stories are different, and I believe my story is what He is using to spark the fire inside of me to touch lives and to inspire others that it doesn’t matter how ugly your past was, God will use you regardless. And that is what he is using me to do, not just to sing but to minister.”
She started the Rahab to Ruth Ministry/Foundation in 2018.
“The Rahab to Ruth Ministry/Foundation is about uplifting young people and bringing them to the body of Christ. Rahab in the Bible was a prostitute and the name Ruth was given to me by God — and that’s how the name Rahab to Ruth came about. Basically, it’s all about bringing young people to the body of Christ despite the things they have done in the past,” Palmer explained.