Mexican-based singer returns home ...Kassiano to spread consciousness among youth

After more than a two-decade-long sojourn to Mexico, Roger 'Kassiano' Smith returns to Jamaica in an effort to spread lessons learned on his journey as a musician and a spiritualist.

He calls it destiny, a serendipitous encounter that catapulted the move of a lifetime. "I was performing on the north coast and a gentleman came up to me and offered me a job to go to a hotel in Mexico," he said.

While that job was simple enough, Kassiano was so impressive that he was offered a three-album record deal. "I was offered a recording contract with Capital Records, and they told me if I learned to sing Spanish in three months, then they would sign me," he said.

It took him two months.

Kassiano told THE STAR that he immersed himself in the language, highlighting that though his connections were organic, he still had to practise. The singer studied 30 Spanish words per day, using the daily newspaper. He told THE STAR that he chose to speak to masons and farmers and other citizens of the blue-collar ilk, calling it the "best way to learn."

Twenty-four years later, Kassiano hits the Jamaican promotional trail - following a successful performance at High Vibes Music Festival, held in Montego Bay, St James, recently.

But his main aim is not just performing music. "I hold consciousness courses, consciousness in the creation of abundance on all levels, emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially," he said. The singer highlighted what he considers a difference in spirituality and religion. "There's a big difference," he said. "Spirituality is connecting to the spirit of your space. Religion was created for a particular reason or cause. Spirituality don't have any religion in it."

AWARENESS OF SELF

He told THE STAR that he believes consciousness lies within the awareness of self. He has taken note of the decline in the employment of university graduates and the related disinterest of high-schoolers. He refers to it as a general unhappiness that can be alleviated by a sense of well-being, in which people can "create abundance much easier.

"It's what I do in Mexico," he said, conducting programmes geared towards the social, spiritual and even economical development of youth - and it is what he wants to do right here in Jamaica. These programmes include expressions of dancing, fine art, and even organic farming.

As part of his initiative to raise the consciousness of youth, Kassiano, applying a jolt to his cause, hosted a free concert last Saturday in Seaview Gardens, St Andrew. Kassiano's free concert was called Sharing Light, and was one he hopes will be the avenue that opens people up to his process of connecting energies and unifying consciousness.

The concert was held from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Elite Basic School. Patrons were duly entertained by Alaine, the National Youth Orchestra, Street Orchestra, Seaview Gardens Drummers, Michael Elliot, Mazola, Barrington Lord, Garfield Morgan, Beverly Oliver and Ireko Baker.