Although reggae artiste Emanuel Stain remains grateful for Jamaica’s Independence, he believes that the bright promise which most Jamaicans cherished of being a sovereign nation has not been fully realised.

“The only Independence I see in Jamaica is the dollar that cannot spend anywhere else apart from Jamaica,” said Emanuel Stain, whose real name is Samuel Williams.

“Jamaica is still aligned to other countries and their foreign policies, we still go to Privy Council for legal disputes, we still have a governor general and we depend on the G7 countries for resources; we are not truly independent,” he continued.

On August 6, 1962, Jamaica became an independent nation and a member of the British Commonwealth.

Still he remains hopeful that one day, Jamaica’s Independence will be more than just lip service.

“We still have to celebrate our emancipation and Independence same way, because of the promise it holds for true freedom. But it is going to be hard if we don’t unite our country; we need to plant, build factories, and educate the people,” he said.

In the meantime, Emanuel Stain is doing his part to educate people through music. He will be releasing a 13-song album, Heights of Life, on August 28 with an official album launch in Old Harbour, St Catherine.

The album will feature songs like Geeman Jireh, Gravity, Life I Like, You Got Me, Mama Rhoda featuring Khebra from Uganda, Fake News and Conceal I.

“The song Geeman Jireh is a song that gets the ladies crying all the time when I perform it anywhere, anytime. Jireh means provider, but Geeman is a slang like ‘Jah know, star’. The song is a love song where I profess my love to her and the Almighty, a spiritual song,” he said.

He is managed by Strivetime Production Chief Executive Officer Hopeton Bailey and producers Oneil Forman and Deal Miller.

Strivetime Production is an indepedent label based in Sandy Bay, Clarendon.

“The single, Mama Rhoda, is doing very well in Uganda and Rwanda and is getting constant play on Capital FM in Uganda. The people in Africa are very excited to see and meet Emanuel Stain. One of my favourite songs is Conceal I, which is a personal song for I and I because of the fight through the years, and the enemies who say mi can’t make it, and to know Jah conceal from my enemies so they can see the rising of I and I, it is just a blessing,” he said.

Born in Freetown, he grew up in Sandy Bay where he attended May Pen High. He got involved in music during his teenage years. He recorded his first song, Cry for the Sweets, in 1992 for legendary producers Steelie and Clevie.

He recorded his first album, Serious Matter, which was released in 1988.

The artiste is pleased with the growth of his career.

“Strivetime Production is in discussion at the moment with VP Records and other major distribution companies who are interested in distributing the album,” he said.

Emanuel Stain is also organising a tour which will pass through countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe to promote the album.