When Aaron Silk first saw the lyrics to Painful Birth (A Mother’s Cry), he felt instant empathy for women who have lost their children, many of them to inner-city violence.

The song, written and produced by Michael Orrett, was released on September 8.

The veteran roots singer told the Jamaica Observer that its message hit home.

“As a parent, as a father, the first time I looked into my first child’s eyes was the first time I experienced love that I never knew before. It was the first time I realise that this is someone I would die for; it’s a feeling like none other,” he said. “So, I can just imagine a mother who, for nine months, carried her child, and to lose that child, not through natural circumstances, but through violence. To try and imagine it bring tears to my eyes.”

Aaron Silk revealed that he knows women who have lost children to violence. Their deaths often result not only in grief, but to those women questioning their faith and why God took their children.

A graphic music video starring actress Audrey Reid helps illustrate Orrett’s poignant message. It was shot by Fareye Productions and released on September 18, 2025.

“I wrote the song, but Aaron owned it. He made it his and delivered an exceptional rendition with his captivating voice,” said Orrett explaining that for him it gives voice to the voiceless and offers solace to grieving hearts.

For Aaron Silk, Painful Birth (A Mother’s Cry) is an appeal for parents to be proactive.

“This is a call to protect our children, I’m shouting out to protect our children. We have to forward to the days when a village grow a child,” he said.

“This one hit deep. We want to call on everyone — man, woman, boy, politicians, churches, — all of us to come forward and take action to stop violence… We want to ensure that… our sons and daughters do not die before fulfilling their dreams and mission,” said Aaron Silk.

The song has been released on all major platforms such as Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, Boomplay, Amazon music, the itunes Store, Spotify, etc.

Aaron Silk is the younger brother of Garnet Silk, who died in December 1994 at age 28. He started his recording career shortly after his sibling’s death in a fire at his mother’s house in Manchester, where both artistes were born.

In a 30-year recording career, he has released many singles. Bless I Oh Jah, his only album, came out in 1999.

— Howard Campbell