Blak Ryno wants more airplay

When he emerged on the scene in 2007, Blak Ryno easily stood out as a dancehall singjay who could win any lyrical battle, serenade women and simultaneously produce anthems for the 'trying' ghetto youth. To top it off, he pioneered a unique singing style that has become his signature, which, he says, is often imitated by others.

"Me nuh have nuh hard feelings when the youth dem a sing in a my sound 'cause it show seh me do something good and me bring something to the table in dancehall," Blak Ryno told THE WEEKEND STAR.

With a timeless catalogue of music, including songs like Thug Anthem, Badmind, Wish I Could See You Again, Dollar Coin and Bike Back, Blak Ryno continues to increase his repertoire by spending long hours in the studio. He is currently promoting a bevy of singles, including the MBR-produced Psalm 35, Live Life (produced by Simone Shellings) and Somebody Pickney, a collaboration with Shane O that has surpassed 500,000 views on YouTube since its November release.

"I've been locked up in the studio from ever since. Regardless of anything, me haffi maintain that visibility by being persistent, keep doing songs and keeping my energy lively," he said.

"Fans always in tuned with Ryno music - dem always love it, dem just need to hear it more."

This is difficult, as he believes his music is not receiving sufficient airplay in Jamaica.

"Jamaica nuh appreciate Ryno none at all. How come nuh 'Real Stinger' music a play on the radio?" he asked. "Everybody already know the fight weh me a go through, and people are still stuck on the past. At the end of the day, people grow and mature, so I'm moving forward with positivity. Big up Vybz Kartel, cause a him bring me to the world, and dat can't change."

Despite his plight, Ryno said that his music is well received overseas. For instance, he said that his 2017 track, She Like That, is heavily rotated on American radio and remains "one of the biggest songs in the dancehall in America. Right now, no female song can't go round it."

He also mentioned future collaborations, new songs and music videos for the summer.

"We just need fi get the music out, so we can take it farer than where it is right now, where it was left in 2010," he said.