There are not many Jamaican reggae artists in the United States Midwest, but Milton Blake has carried his country’s banner throughout that region for years.
The Cleveland, Ohio-based singer recently released “Blatantly,” a hard-hitting social commentary that decries what he sees as a sad state of global affairs.
It is produced by Lloyd Dennis for Pickout Records, an independent company based in the United Kingdom.
“It’s really blatant to see how the leaders are treating us. We see people suffering here an’ there an’ prices are going up, and it’s really troubling the people, ” said Blake.
He added that the single is “part of a bigger project” aimed at breaking him to a broader audience this year. In recent months, Blake has recorded profusely, resulting in a cover (with fellow singer Iyatunde) of Baby Come Back, Player’s classic soft rock ballad.
The bigger project he referred to is a probable album or EP, tentatively scheduled for release late this year.
A committed Rastafarian, Blake lived for many years in Central Village, a rough community located near Spanish Town, the country’s first capital.
Some of his early songs were produced by noted figures such as Dwight Pinkney (guitarist of the Roots Radics Band) and Philip “Fatis” Burrell of Xterminator Records.
Blake migrated to the United States 15 years ago, and has recorded three albums to date. He has also performed throughout the Midwest and East Coast with his River Nile band.