Reggae artiste Ras-I will readily admit that 2025 has been one of his best musical years yet. Earlier this year the singer’s 2020 hit single Somewhere Wonderful was selected as the official soundtrack for the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) 2025 Easter campaign. Today, he’s promoting a bossy new single featuring Munga Honourable as he readies an album.

“Everything has been happening in perfect timing,” the entertainer told the Jamaica Observer. “I am happy that my career is moving in the right direction so I can show the youths dem that hard work and consciousness really does pay off.”

Speaking of being a positive influence, Ras-I shared that his goal as an entertainer has always been to create music that transcends time. As he recalled some advice given to him by one of Jamaica’s legendary voices, Ras-I, said he has made it his duty to create content that will live on for decades to come.

“As artistes we’re not making music just for us. Once we press that button and release it, it’s no longer just for us; it’s for the people,” he said. “Beres Hammond said to me a couple of years ago, ‘Don’t sing anything now that you wouldn’t want to sing 10 or 20 years down the line, or you would be ashamed to sing,’ and that stuck. For me, I decided not to follow trends but to sing what’s in my heart, and so everything you hear from me is made out of good vibes and good energy.”

He expressed that he believes this is among the reasons Somewhere Wonderful still resonates with people globally, even five years after its release.

“To create something that was so culturally great that it got the support of corporate was everything to me. The track transcended all limits because it was so relatable. The common man loved it because we all wanna go wonderful places, and we’re equally tired of being misunderstood,” he said. “My aim in music is to make music that will live on forever and ever, so generations to come will see and take examples.”

With that in mind, Ras-I returned to the studio and partnered with Munga Honourable to produce the track
Rastafari in Charge. He shares that the single is a perfect example of what can happen when veteran artistes partner with today’s younger generation. Showing respect for Munga and the level of professionalism displayed by the Flippin Rhymes deejay, Ras-I said that level of support is needed in today’s industry to propel the music globally.

“This track shows a connection with one of the more established and legendary artistes and the new crop of reggae and dancehall artistes, and it’s a feel-good vibe. The message is conscious as always with my songs, and it’s just all about positivity and upliftment,” he said. “And it was so easy working with Munga, because you could see the respect was there. Munga was even the one to first say Ras-I, we need fi put something on the board, and that’s why in the song we sing, ‘We deh yah pan the block, everything calm now, u nuh see the board sort out.’

“There is a video out for the track, and that helped push the promotion. And let me tell you something about the energy on set. Munga came early, helped set up, and to me that was something special,” he continued. “I said to myself, a so big artiste fi work wid younger artistes and help to filter in so we can help maintain the relevance.”

Describing the collaboration as a “bridging of the gap kind of moment”, Ras-I said it was great to witness, as often the narrative surrounding older artistes working with their younger counterparts is negative.

“Sometimes people say the standard drop, but that’s not it more while. The disconnect comes from ‘It’s not what you say but how you say it.’ The elders sometimes have to allow the artistes to be the artiste. You can’t cage us just like nobody never cage them, but I do understand the level of gatekeeping that is needed,” he said. “We know what will happen when you just leave the gate open. Anybody will just walk go into the yard, and then people are going to say Jamaica just a produce madness and jokers and gimmicks, and we can’t have that. We have to maintain standards.”

While Rastafari in Charge continues to gain momentum, Ras-I says he doesn’t intend to take his foot off the gas as he readies his album. Without giving too much details, the entertainer said the body of work will be ready for 2026.

“We’re putting together the album and that’s all I will say. It’s been five years,” he shared. “It’s been so smooth because the hardest part of putting an album together is never the creative side, it’s the business side, the paperwork. But definitely 2026 it’s coming.”

Ras-I (left) and Munga Honourable in the studio. The two are currently promoting their collaboration, Rastafari in Charge.