Visually Impaired Reggae Artist Courage Shines With ‘Sweet Jamaica’

Visually-impaired artist Winston ‘Courage’ Callum feels that fear is the dream killer. That’s why he embraces challenges and is never afraid to risk failure.

“Risk must be taken because the greatest hazard of life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing does nothing, and will have nothing. I will not allow fear of failure to stop me from doing anything in this world, even though I may be blind,” the artiste whose real name is Winston Callum, said.

Courage is employed as an assistive technology instructor, but has decided to pursue music professionally. He writes his lyrics, which are based on his life experiences.

“My music name ‘Courage’ came about as a result of the various things that I am capable of doing and the fact that I love to take on new challenges,” he said.

Courage is pushing his latest single, Sweet Jamaica, a combination with his brother, Varel Anthony. He shot a video of the song, using images from tourist spots in the song.

“People have been asking for the video because I entered the song in the annual festival song contest but it didn’t make the top ten,” Courage said.

He hails from the Kensington district in St. Ann, the home of great musicians such as the king of reggae, Bob Marley. From a young age, he exhibited a keen interest in music. Even though he gained fame as a deejay in his community, Courage attended the Salvation Army School for the Blind in Kingston and completed a two year course in information technology at the Abilities Foundation.

In the meantime, Courage’s brother, respected producer Varel Anthony aka Fada Specialist, had always been involved in music, first through operating a sound system and then studio production.

In 2021, Specialist suggested that Courage pursue music professionally. He did not hesitate.

“I know that I have what it takes because my style, the quality of my lyrics and the message of my music always gets a great response from friends, family and close acquaintances,” he said.

He has recorded songs such as risque ‘Bedroom Bully’, the inspirational but uptempo ‘How Wi Dweet’, ‘Rise Up’ and arguably his most popular song, ‘Nuh Like Me’. He is signed to the Specialist Sound Production Inc label.

“My philosophy is to write good music so that people from all over the world can relate to it. It’s all about positive energy that will get the mass of the people interested in my songs,” he added.

He has done performances at venues in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale in Florida and Flat Bush, New York.

“I would like to be remembered as an artiste who inspired people to never give up on their dreams despite any challenges they may face, as well as someone who created quality music to inspire others,” he said.