2 months ago
21
After a long-awaited reunion with his former mentor and Portmore Empire leader Vybz Kartel, dancehall artiste Blak Ryno is welcoming a fresh wave of positivity and reconciliation within the genre.
After his unexpected cameo at Vybz Kartel's Reggae Fest concert at the storied Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, THE STAR spoke with the musician about the poignant and significant occasion.
"The performance was superb," Blak Ryno shared with a smile. "I was excited! It was a little more chill than people might have expected from a Blak Ryno, nutten too crazy. The event, however, was very good. Just being there as a guest artiste, reuniting with the family, meant everything. I am thankful for the invite and, it's good to know that I'm reunited with the family."
Blak Ryno, who was introduced to the music business by Vybz Kartel years ago as part of the Portmore Empire, admitted that when the nod came for him to join the Worl' Boss on stage, he was in a daze.
"I can't remember what I was doing at the moment. I just know it was a good day. Give thanks to Vybz Kartel fi even decide to have me on the stage and grace the stage with him, you know. I really appreciate it. It's about unity, love, and building community," said Blak Ryno.
Additionally, the reunion has sparked discussions regarding his ties with Shawn Storm and other former Gaza members. But Blak Ryno clarified things right away.
"Shawn a bro, man! Memba seh family members disagree to agree eno, so it's just part of life. There's no hard feelings between me and Shawn. Everybody grow, everybody mature now and understand life and understand seh growth is very important," he said.
Blak Ryno's exit from the Portmore Empire caused years of public conjecture regarding allegiance. He calmly replied to those who questioned his character,
"Everybody see seh mi hold mi own fi years, yuh see wah me a seh. It nuh have nuttn fi do wid pride, it nuh have nuttn fi me proving myself to anybody, it's just me being me as a person. That's how I am. Me nuh feel like if me and mi best friend stop par, me supposed to go link wid mi best friend enemy. Mi hold dah principle deh to miself, because it's just only right, you know," he said.
When asked what he has been up to lately, he responded -- "Music, music, music!"
"[I've] just been working on a lot of music. I just released a new single - Faith, produced by Brawlin Records and myself, and the video is out on YouTube and it's doing good."
With another unexpected bomb, Blak Ryno's new single has also received backing from long-time competitor Popcaan.
"As I said, it's just a part of life eno. As my musical family member, we ago have disagreements. But the good thing is when two bredda can fall out and can mend it back, no malice naa keep forever."
With the mending of these relationships, fans are naturally wondering about future collaborations.
"I mean, I guess. Why not?" Blak Ryno teased. "If it's gonna get done, you know, we naa guh plan, we just ago seh we ago dweet and den we get it done."
While he kept names under wraps, he did confirm that new music and collaborations are on the horizon for 2025. Blak Ryno also expressed optimism of a Gaza Camp reunion.
"Why not? I mean, love is love. Love can conquer everything, you know. And everything else in the world is making a positive change right now. I think we should all move in that direction. Everybody has grown."
English (US) ·