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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.”

Holding
On
, the latest song from Hezron, is a timely reminder of the songsmith and crooner that this Jamaican artist is.

The singer shared that the song reflects his outlook on life.

“
Holding On is about resilience and faith. It’s a reminder that no matter how heavy life gets we all have the strength to push through. The song encourages people not to give up, even when circumstances seem overwhelming,” Hezron explained. “I wanted it to serve as an anthem of hope for anyone going through struggles. It’s a message that brighter days are ahead if you just keep holding on.”

Hezron wrote the song as well as co-produced it with Tad Dawkins Junior. He also played acoustic guitar on the track.

Accompanying Hezron on
Holding On are Leroy Romans on bass guitar, synthesiser, keyboards, and flute. Rohan Dwyer is on programmed drums and guitar, with Limey Murray on backing vocals.

Holding On is the latest collaboration between Hezron and Tad’s International Record. The company also released his albums
Man On A Mission and
The Life I Live.

For
Rahim Bennett, football once ruled his world. These days it’s music.

Back at Meadowbrook High his days were a blur of training sessions, schoolwork, and the quiet hum of a passion he hadn’t fully embraced yet.

“Meadowbrook was pure energy, but I was a late bloomer on the music side. The passion was always there, but it took a back seat. Football gave me discipline, school sharpened my mind, and music was the heartbeat behind it all,” Bennett explained.

That heartbeat grew louder when he migrated to the United States on a student-athlete scholarship. Life overseas at the New Jersey Institute of Technology was anything but glamorous. However, the lessons he learnt on and off the field also echo in his artistry.

“Living in the States as a student-athlete toughened me up. The routine was strict — train, study, repeat. The roughest part of my life was during that time. But it taught me consistency and work ethic. Now in music, I apply the same focus. Studio time feels like practice, shows feel like match day,” Bennett shared.

“Teamwork reminds me that I need good producers, engineers, and a strong team. Resilience helps me push through when a song don’t connect. And pressure? Pressure makes me better. Running up on stage and running up to a penalty kick feel the same, you either deliver or fold,” he added.

Bennett shared that the turning point came when strangers began reaching out, sharing how his songs helped them, and since then his approach to music shifted from being a mere hobby.

Now he is on the cusp of something special.

Bennett first dropped the single
Fully Rich, but is pointing to his latest track,
Amazing.

He hopes the takeaway from this track will be the reminder of the beauty of life itself.

“Life is the most amazing blessing you can have, even in struggles. With all the mental health issues and suicides we are seeing among the youth, I want people to feel uplifted, to chase their dreams, and to remember that amazing things can happen when you stay resilient and true to yourself,” Bennett noted.

“The visuals showcase farm life in Jamaica, which is another hobby I hold dear. Plus my son, King Amir, made a special appearance. It’s raw, authentic, and just shares my love for my country and my downtime,” he said of the video currently in the making.

Still, Bennett admitted that carving out a lane in dancehall has by no means been easy.

“The biggest challenge is cutting through the noise. Dancehall full of talent, so I have to stay true to my story and not chase every trend. Standing firm in authenticity while still being fresh, that’s the tightrope,” he declared.

That said, Bennett described his style as a blend of grit and upliftment, but beneath the rhythms and lyrics lies a mission to inspire.

“It’s motivational and relatable. My deep voice can carry melody while staying rough. Think of it like a bridge between conscious vibes and modern dancehall energy. But I am always experimenting, so don’t be surprised if you hear me on an Amapiano or reggaeton beat,” he said.

“My story proves that you can chase more than one dream and still succeed. If I can show a youth that academics, sports, and music can co-exist, then I am doing my job,” Bennett ended.

—

When award-winning Nigerian producer, mixing engineer, and musician Sarz wanted to include some dancehall vibes into his début album Project Sarz at All Costs, he called on two entertainers, Skillibeng and Byron Messia.

Several of the tracks from the 12-song album have entered Billboard’s US Afrobeats Songs chart, with
Getting Paid featuring Skillibeng, Asake and Wizkid debuting at #5 and
BMF featuring Byron Messia and Fireboy DML entering at #38.

This is Byron Messia’s second entry on the chart. His previously peaked at #3 in 2023 with a remix of
Talibans featuring Burna Boy.

Getting Paid lands Skillibeng his fourth entry on this chart.
Shake it to the Max (Fly) remix by MOLIY, Silent Addy and Shenseea is perched at #1 for the past 22 weeks, while
Jump with Tyla and Gunna rose to #3 last year.
Slip N Slide with Wizkid and Shenseea charted at #19 in 2022.

Sarz’s album also features collaborations with Libianca, WurlD and Zeina.

Sugar Sweet by Mariah Carey, featuring Shenseea and Kehlani, makes gains on a few Billboard charts this week. It steps up from #26 to #23 on R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, while inching up from #19 to #17 on Hot R&B Songs. Over on Mainstream R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, the song remains at #18 for a second week.

Meanwhile, over on Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay,
Sugar Sweet backtracks from #32 to #36 in its 6th week.

Sean Paul’s
Ginger dips from #14 to #18, and
PBT by Travis Scott featuring Tyla and Vybz Kartel makes gains, moving from #18 to #15.

The 1995 album
Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze re-enters the Billboard Reggae Albums chart at #10. The set peaked at #1 just a little over 30 years ago.

Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers leads the pack for 299 non-consecutive weeks, while
Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy is firm at #2.

World on Fire by Stick Figure inches up to #3, while
Greatest Hits by UB40 rises to #4.

Sean Paul’s
Dutty Rock moves up to #5, while
Wisdom by Stick Figure improves from #8 to #6. The act’s S
et in Stone rises to #7, Damian Marley’s
Welcome to Jamrock is #8, and
Exodus by Bob Marley and the Wailers which peaked at #3 in 2022, re-enters at #9.

Moving now to regional charts, over on the New York Reggae chart,
A Woman’s Touch by Richie Stephens takes over the #1 spot, while
Spread Love by Singer Irie steps into the #2 spot.

In our Sight by Skip Marley is #11, while
Be Your Friend (remix) by Red Fox enters at #27. Also new on the chart at #28 is
I’ll by Your King by Akustix and
Grace Under Fire by Cherine Anderson steps in at #30.

A remake of
A House is Not a Home by Hopeton Lewis and Marcia Griffiths is the new #1, while
I’ll Make it with Your Love by The Bonner Brothers moves up from #9 to #7.

Love Story by Beres Hammond and Tanya Stephens bolts from #21 to #18.

Pressure by Gisto continues to lead the top of the Reggae Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart.
Fathers by Onique is the chart’s sole new entry at #9.