No Keeping Him Down

… Biggie Irie shares his Journey to Wellness

Carlton Geoffrey Owen Cordle, affectionately known as “Biggie Irie,” has captivated audiences locally, regionally, and internationally for over 35 years with his sweet vocals and commanding stage presence.  On the stage, he is indomitable, but in September 2023, the ‘Nah Goin’ Home’ singer faced a life-threatening health crisis, which he said was the wake-up call that forced him to reevaluate his health. 

Speaking with Diabetes Today, Cordle opened up about his health struggles, the road to recovery, and the important lessons he has learned on his journey toward wellness, which he hopes will encourage others to do the same. 

Family First: The Heart of ‘Biggie Irie’ 

For Biggie Irie, good health has taken on a new significance as he considers his role as a devoted father to his 13-year-old daughter, Arya, who lives in Toronto. 

“She’s everything to me—energetic, beautiful, and talented,” he proudly shared.

The Lodge School alumnus said the opportunity to watch Arya grow up and thrive is all the reason he needs to stay healthy. “I want to see her grow into adulthood, to 30, 40 years old at least,” he told Diabetes Today.  

The day of his stroke was September 16, 2023; it was also Arya’s birthday and is a day that is forever etched in his memory. “That day changed everything,” he reflected. 

Cordle told Diabetes Today that it was a day like any other; he woke up feeling fine. Then, while out running errands, he felt lightheaded out of the blue. The next thing he realized was that his entire right side, from his face to his arm and down to his leg, went numb. One might say that the scene was reminiscent of the music video for his 2014 Crop Over hit, “Pankatang,” in which he dreams of experiencing a sudden heart attack. 

Rather than allowing panic to set in, the beloved entertainer kept his head on and managed to drive home, using only his right foot for both the gas and brake. At first, he didn’t fully grasp the severity of the situation and even tried to sleep it off. When one of his friends suggested that he suffered a stroke, Cordle brushed it aside, so much so that it wasn’t until the next day that he decided to seek medical attention. That visit would eventually reveal that he had bleeding on the brain. 

“That same Saturday, I bent over to pick something up and lost my balance, falling to the floor for about 45 minutes, telling myself, “Man, you’ve got to get back up.” Eventually, I managed to pull myself up and get back to bed, where I stayed the entire day without eating.”

He continued, “Early Sunday morning, I went to the FMH Emergency Medical Clinic where Dr. Bishop carried out some tests, and then he sent me to Urgent Care for a CT scan, and they sent me back to Dr. Bishop, who told me I had to go to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. I went straight there; I didn’t even go home to pack anything.” 

While Biggie had been diagnosed with diabetes in 2012, it was his mini-stroke 11 years later that was a brutal wake-up call that showed just how much his health had spiraled out of control. “My blood sugar and blood pressure were high,” he recalled, vividly remembering a sobering moment in the A&E when a doctor warned him bluntly, “Mr. Cordle, I just want to be real with you—you can die from what you have.” Shocked by the directness of her words, he initially questioned if she should not have been more reassuring. Yet, that stark reality check became a catalyst for good – Biggie transformed his shock into a fierce resolve to fight for his life. 

QEH Stay

Being hospitalized brought Cordle face-to-face with his own mortality because while his stay at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital was short, he was cognizant of how close he had come to death. He spoke of seeing a familiar face in the bed across from him on Ward C10 – fellow entertainer Rudy Boyce. At that time, he said he also learned that Richard Stoute, the godfather of Barbadian entertainment, was also in the hospital. Noting that both Boyce and Stoute have since passed away, Biggie said he is even more grateful for life. 

Biggie said his stint in the hospital was the very best medicine.  Each doctor’s visit brought news of improvement—his blood sugar and blood pressure were finally coming down thanks to the medication he was prescribed and a strict diet. He was set to be discharged on Wednesday, September 20, but a slight rise in his blood sugar levels delayed his release. While disappointed by this turn of events, Cordle was determined to get better and accepted the extended stay without complaint, even declining apples and grapes offered to him, aware that certain fruits could cause his blood sugar to spike. Without a doubt, his resolve to regain control over his health was stronger than ever.

Hospital Experience 

This resolve, however, did not diminish the fear and anxiety that accompanied his hospitalization. The former Sweet Soca Monarch admitted that the experience was frightening. From the moment the doctor informed him that his condition could be life-threatening, he was determined that he was not ready to die. The musician stressed that he still has many things left to accomplish and a daughter he wants to see reach adulthood. 

Despite the fear, he recalled there were moments of comfort. The nurses would request that he and Rudy Boyce sing every morning, which brought a touch of joy and made the experience a bit more pleasant. 

However, after being discharged from the QEH and needing to return a month later to refill his medication, Biggie could not bring himself to face the hospital’s walls again. He opted to continue his treatment with endocrinologist Dr. Carlisle Goddard in his private practice, and he continues to do well. 

 A New Lifestyle: Weight Loss and Discipline 

His hospital stay was brief but impactful. Cordle remembers weighing 293 pounds two days before the stroke, but upon discharge five days later, he had already dropped 13 pounds.

“I couldn’t eat how and when I wanted while I was in the hospital. When I saw that I weighed 280 pounds, I said if I could do that by not eating at night and not eating all the junk, I could lose the weight. I just gradually lost weight, and I was not exercising at all.” 

This drastic change inspired him to keep losing weight. “I used to love junk food—M&Ms, Coke, Red Frutee—but I gave them up,” Cordle said. He also eliminated starches, red meat, and alcohol, swapping them for fruits and vegetables—making healthier choices overall. 

“I realized the weight was coming off, and I just kept going. I remember one morning when I was walking to the bathroom; I looked into the mirror and couldn’t recognize myself. I thought, “What’s going on?” I used to have quite a big bump, and now, when I walked past, it was gone. I said to myself, “Lord, this is really working,” he chuckled.  

Today, the UK-born singer has lost over 57 pounds, and he, more than ever, is committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Since January 2024, he no longer shies away from working out after being encouraged to join a gym by his producer and friend, Chris Allman. “I used to hate exercise, but now I actually enjoy it,” he declared. With the help of a trainer, he is focused on tightening up his body and maintaining his fitness routine. His dedication is evident in the physical transformation—he has gone from wearing size 52 pants to size 46 and from 4XL shirts to 2XL. 

Returning to the Stage 

This newfound strength and confidence also played a major role in Cordle’s return to the stage. Admittedly, getting back to singing after the stroke was not easy, but he persevered. “I had a gig two days after leaving the hospital. I didn’t want to cancel, and I didn’t want to risk driving, so I asked Peter Ram to take me.” Cordle performed a few songs at that event and then took a three-week break to focus on his recovery.  

“When I went back to work, it was at Sea Breeze Hotel on Thursday nights, unlike the four songs I performed days after coming out of the hospital at the party, we worked from 8.30 to 9.30 p.m. and 10 to 11 p.m. Halfway through the first set was a struggle because I had not sung for quite a while. But practice makes perfect, so as I continued singing, my voice got stronger, and I’m back,” he declared. 

By Crop Over 2024, he was back in full form, performing a song titled “QEH,” which he wrote with fellow artiste Eric Lewis and producer Chris Allman. 

“Crop Over was good. The song I performed was very popular. It’s a pity that the radio stations don’t play those social commentaries after Crop Over; they go back to the original format. However, that song got me into the Pic-O-De-Crop finals. I placed ninth out of 18, which isn’t bad. And I think I’m going to go again next year. I know next time I will do better,” said the four-time Pic-O-De-Crop finalist. 

Lessons Learned: A Wake-Up Call for Health 

While Cordle reflects on his successes in the competition, his recent health scare has given him an even greater sense of purpose beyond the stage. The life-altering experience has left him with a message for everyone—take charge of your health before it takes charge of you. “If you have any warning signs, don’t ignore them. I had headaches for a while and brushed them off. I was experiencing headaches in the mornings, attributing them to sleeping with my phone next to me”.  

With this new awareness, he also stressed the importance of regular checkups, healthy eating, and staying active. “You don’t need a gym—start with walking. Just do something to keep your body moving.” 

Reflecting on his journey, Biggie is most proud of the discipline and willpower he has gained. “I used to love M&Ms and baked goods, but now I’ve cut them out. It’s not easy, but I’m determined to live a long, healthy life, and I want to inspire others to take control of their health.” 

“I have a lot of discipline now, much more than I had before. So, I do what I have to do to keep the weight off. And I want to lose some more – I want to get to at least 230. What is inspiring is that the clothes fit nice,” he told Diabetes Today, adding “And all the compliments from people I’m getting, that is what really inspires me the most.”  

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