Contributed -Nicon 'Cessnaldo' Samuels

Kandré McDonald, Freelance Writer

Many musicians often tell tales of their struggles as they strive for stardom. They often divulge information that paints a picture of a road full of potholes, similar to our roadways islandwide. For singer Cessnaldo, born Nicon Samuels, it is somewhat similar, except that his major challenge was life-threatening.

Cessnaldo literally walked to death's gate and miraculously managed to make a volte-face. Cessnaldo was diagnosed with an enormous brain tumour and was given up for dead while still in his early teens. Looking on the Port Royal resident during the interview, one could not have guessed that he was actually a survivor.

Gone are the days when Cessnaldo use to lead his church choir. Now he has graduated into the secular world but his lyrics remain positive. At the tender age of 13 Cessnaldo began writing songs, something he undertook because of constant encouragement from his cousin.

At the age of 21, he was looking at music as a career choice, especially after taking into consideration the fact that he had missed out on some of the most important days of schooling. A win in a Social Development Commission music competition further boosted his aspirations to become an artiste and a good showing in a Hype TV music competition further encouraged this yearning.

With some good showings under his belt, Cessnaldo then went on to perform at the Asylum Nightclub and on the Richie B Road Show. To his music credit, he has songs such as Please Call Me, Increase Di Peace, and Do You Care, all of which are positive in nature and teaches some life inspiring lessons.

Like most young artistes, Cessnaldo's complain and major challenge surrounds getting airplay.

"I am grateful for the airplay I have gotten already. Increase Di Peace was the first song I did that got airplay, and Please Call Me has gotten a bit of rotation on ZIP FM, but I still need more airplay," he told THE STAR.

Although THE STAR had no proof, Cessnaldo was also quick to point out that he was the only Port Royal artiste to have made it this far.

"Basically I am the first artiste from Port Royal to do the type of music I do and make it this far. My songs comprise of conscious-natured lyrics that are at times mixed with party vibes." He went on to add: "I write my own material, and compose my own melody, the only thing I get from outside is the beat."

To date, Cessnaldo, who was part of a team that won Jamaica Division One Basketball League, has released his single Please Call Me, a song mixed by Fab 5 and which is now available at Aquarius Records. One would actually be impressed listening to Cessnaldo's music on his website at www.myspace.com/cessnaldo-music.

For an artiste who was basically written off to die, he had this to say to upcoming artistes: "Hard work is the key to success and only you can 'kill' yourself. You don't have to sleep around to make it."