Thirty-five-year-old construction worker Jason Roberts is hoping to get a musical break from his debut single You Are Still My Love.

Produced by Haimnauth Loaknauth of Tun It Up Radio in New York, Roberts — who goes by the moniker Sledge — said the single is a dedication to the females.

“It’s a song about loving but taking your partner for granted… a thing we as men stupidly do at times. After she leaves, that is the time where, if we’re man enough, apologise and ask for another chance,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Since its release in March, Roberts said the track has been making rounds on the local airwaves.

He has high hopes the song will become a favourite among reggae lovers.

“I really hope that it will become a number one and, so far, it is progressing well. I want the listeners to listen to the words of the song and not just the beat. Too often do we take our ladies for granted. We have to realise that a happy wife makes a happy home,” he said.

Roberts spent his earlier years in Riversade, St Catherine. After completing his secondary education at St Mary’s College, he ventured into the construction field.

“I had a special love for music, but everyone knows it takes money to promote your music and I didn’t have that, so I choose a 9-to-5 over it. However, that didn’t prevent me from penning several songs,” said the Rastafarian singer.

He said over the years he recorded, but never got the chance to release a single until last month.

“Music never dies, and also there is no age limit to it. The aim is to just bring positive music to the table and hopefully the fans will like it,” he said.

— Simone Morgan