Cassi says the stroke he suffered in April has made him a much more conscious person.
A stroke is no easy thing to recover from. In April of 2015, soca artiste, Cassiano Sylvester suffered the unexpected health condition which left him with a slightly twisted mouth and the task of learning to speak and eat again. The stroke, he learnt, came as a result of stress. Thinking about it, Cassi told ETCETERABUZZ that his inability to please his fans and Soca lovers for Carnival 2015, may have been at the root of the condition.
Fast forward to the end of the year and hurdles have been crossed. Smiles are now back and Cassi is among his peers again, enjoying the success of a song that came pretty unexpectedly, much like his stroke had. It’s a witty ditty, created by highly rated lyricist, Dale Ryan in collaboration with Emmanuel Rudder. Cassi, Ryan felt, was the right person for the song. In it, the artiste’s unembellished style that merges Calypso and Soca is powerfully delivered, as usual. You see, for Cassiano Sylvester, music lives within. He’s had some pretty awesome tracks in the past, starting with ‘Town T’ing’ in 2011, followed by ‘Inside De Party’ in 2012, then ‘Whistle and Horn’ in 2013 and ‘Man in Yuh House’ in 2014. One year later however, the singles he presented to mass audiences in T&T, didn’t seem to go down very well.
“I’ve had to find ways to rid myself of stress. I had to begin exercising, eating better and all of that. The experience has made me a bigger believer in God. It has made me more spiritual. I used to drink a lot but I don’t drink like I used to anymore. I play football more now. I feel younger and this stroke has made me look at life more consciously,” said Sylvester. Cassi explained that his tribulation even affected his friends but in quite a positive way, as they began looking at their own lives and their indulgences. “They changed their lifestyles too,” he said. He told ETCETERABUZZ.COM that Kernal Roberts was a true supporter during his trying time. “Kernal encouraged me to come into the studio and practice singing, which I did. I am so thankful for that. I had to do acupuncture to get my face to smile again. I believe the experience made me a more disciplined person and it has made me more conscious,” said the entertainer, adding that he considers himself one of the lucky ones.
The song has amassed over twelve thousand views on YouTube.
The song, ‘Two Dumplings’ which was produced by Wiz Records, was actually Cassi’s fourth release for the Carnival 2016 season. His three previous songs were not embraced by radio DJs. ‘Freedom’, one of those songs released early in the season, was produced at Rama Studios, and was a representation of his real-life issue faced. The song speaks of his journey following the stroke. Cassi says he however understands that sometimes the music just isn’t felt by DJs as quickly as one would want it to be felt. Thanking the people who stood by him during his health condition, Cassi said many were God-sent. “I want to thank Glenroy Watson and Uncle Pie,” he said, referring first to the Flirt Carnival bandleader and event promoter and secondly to the man who has kept Maraval Road in Port-of-Spain a weekly after work entertainment hub, for years. He says Watson was responsible for taking him to the hospital while Uncle Pie helped him with his medication. Sylvester says there are countless others whose goodness aided him tremendously and he wished to extend words of thanks to everyone who helped.
Now with Carnival 2016 looking a little brighter for the artiste than 2015 was, he is urging his peers in the business not to allow what happened to him, to become a part of their personal life story. Take a listen:
Now, listen to the song and let us know what you think!
He had one of the most memorable Carnival seasons with a Soca track that stole the hearts of Soca lovers in 2026 and now Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis is set to represent hard for the Soca music genre at the upcoming ‘Best of the Best’ Music Festival in Miami on May 26th. His appearance will be his debut to the highly anticipated festival and already, the energy is high.
Voice makes his debut at Best of the Best 2026.
Voice represents the bridge between Millennial Soca and GenZ vibes. ‘Cyah Behave Mehself’ was lapped up like good Caribbean food at Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago back in February, and it is expected to do the same as the international summer season approaches.
Set to take place on May 26th at Museum Park, Downtown Miami, Voice’s inclusion on the cast underscores the Soca genre’s continued global reach within a predominantly reggae and dancehall showcase. Known for his high energy performances and melodic songwriting, the Trinidad and Tobago three -time Soca Monarch King has built an extensive catalogue of hits that that has proven to resonate with a global audience.
Organizers say anticipation for Voice’s performance at Best of the Best, is high. “Fans are looking forward to a dynamic set that brings soca’s signature energy to the festival stage.”
Best of the Best Music Fest remains one of North America’s premiere Caribbean music events, drawing fans from across the region and Diaspora for a full day of live performances. This year’s lineup includes, Sizzla Kalonji, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Capleton, Rajah Wild, Skeng, Vanessa Bling, among others.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruiseshares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Beenie Man will be on the cruise in November.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
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