Willie Stewart is not finished telling Jamaica’s story.

The former drummer of the legendary reggae band Third World has released a new single, “Have a Little Faith,” a humanitarian anthem grounded in resilience, unity and spiritual strength. For Stewart, the record represents more than new music; it is a continuation of a mission that began decades ago on stages around the world.

As a key member of the Grammy-nominated group Third World, Stewart helped shape one of reggae’s most influential eras. Known for blending reggae with soul, funk and pop, the band introduced Caribbean sound to international audiences and produced classics that remain staples in the global reggae catalog.

“We were brothers before we were a band,” Stewart said. “We loved music, and that chemistry, that synergy is something you can’t recreate.”

Formed in the 1970s, Third World emerged from a close circle of musicians committed to both discipline and collaboration. Their breakthrough album, Journey to Addis, helped define a sound that was both polished and deeply rooted in Jamaican culture, carrying messages of love, spirituality and upliftment.

Today, Stewart stands as one of the two remaining voices from the band’s defining era. With the passing of several founding members, the responsibility of preserving that legacy has taken on new meaning.

“When one of them goes, it’s like a silence,” he said. “You realize everything becomes memory.”

That realization has strengthened his commitment to keeping the group’s legacy alive through performance, education and storytelling. For Stewart, Third World was never just a band, it was a cultural force that carried Jamaican identity onto the global stage.

“Every time we left Jamaica, we went as ambassadors,” he said. “We carried the culture with us, and we took that seriously.”

“Have a Little Faith” reflects that same spirit. Written in response to recent storms that devastated parts of Jamaica, the song brings together respected reggae voices in a call for hope and solidarity.

“If you don’t have faith, you give up,” Stewart said. “And once you give up, everything starts going downhill.”

Stewart is preparing for upcoming performances, including his annual Rhythms of Africa showcase in Florida, where he continues to share reggae’s message of resilience with new audiences.

Decades after Third World first brought Jamaican music to international stages, Stewart believes the band’s influence still resonates.

“We were ahead of our time,” he said. “Really ahead of our time.”

With “Have a Little Faith,” Stewart is ensuring that the rhythm and the responsibility continues.