COVID survivor puts health struggle into song

When reggae singer StaceyAnn almost died after catching COVID for the third time in December 2022, she used that experience to write and release the emotive single ' Life (Choose to Stay)'.

"The feedback I got from the song has been tears, literally, with people crying when I perform the song live, because the song is the essence of joy and inspiration," said the artiste, whose given name is Stacey Ann Mirander. Released in February on all online platforms, the single has been generating a buzz online because of the powerful lyrics and the outpouring of support from her circle of friends who knew of her near-death ordeal. She is now gearing up to drop the video later this month.

The reggae singer said that at one point, she lost count of the number of doctors she saw because no one could figure out what was wrong with her. Her breathing problems worsened until she was hospitalised in the Annotto Bay Hospital in St Mary, and watched the female patient beside her take her last breath.

"There was nothing more the doctors could do. I cried and wondered if this was going to be me. In that moment I chose to live and that was how the song was born," she said. Since that time, she has battled long COVID and with "prayers, extensive research, and lifestyle changes", her health has improved.

StaceyAnn spent the first decade of her life in Marlie Mount, Old Harbour, St Catherine, before moving to Mitchell Town, Clarendon. She attended and graduated from Clarendon College, before completing her tertiary education at the University of Phoenix in the US. She kicked off her solo career after being encouraged by producer Bulby York and Solomon 'Triple Ess' Salmon into recording a song, Hear Oh Lord, in the studio. The song was released in April 2023 on Bulby York producer's album Time and Colour.

She is presently working on her debut EP.

"I had given up on music once before and I will never do it again. This year, I am bringing inspiration to others and circumstances never made me who I am," she said.