In five weeks, Willie Stewart stages Rhythms Of Africa at Miramar Cultural Center in South Florida.  It will be the most personal edition since he first produced the Afrocentric music event in 2010.

The April 18-19 shows, dubbed “Run Di Riddim: Every Beat For Jamaica”, is dedicated to Jamaica and the country’s resilience after Hurricane Melissa which made landfall there on October 28, 2025.

Stewart, former drummer of the Third World band, will also salute singer-songwriter Jimmy Cliff, guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore, and drummer Sly Dunbar, who died in November and January.

Coore was Stewart’s colleague in Third World for 21 years.

Singers Richie Stephens, JC Lodge and Gem Myers are scheduled to perform at Rhythms Of Africa, which is a calendar event in South Florida, home to a massive Jamaican community.

A long-time South Florida resident, Stewart announced details of the show one month after the release of Have A Little Faith. That song is also inspired by the challenges Jamaica faced post-Melissa.

Co-produced by Stewart and Sean Wedderburn, it features Lodge, Myers, Leroy Sibbles, Carlene Davis, Dwisdom, Glen Washington, Wayne Armond, Alecia Marie, Patrick Ulysees Pinkney and Carl McDonald.

“Have A Little Faith has got a lot of attention re radio, everybody who has heard the song loves it,” said Stewart. “We gathered artistes and musicians who willingly donated their time and talent. Collaborations included arranging strings with students from the University of Miami and contributions from singers eager to support the cause.”

Born in London, Stewart began playing in bands while attending Wolmer’s Boys High School during the 1960s. He joined Third World in 1976 and played on the band’s biggest hit songs, including 96 Degrees in The Shade, Now That We Found Love and Try Jah Love.