Former Third World Drummer Willie Stewart Releases Hopeful Humanitarian Single

William "Willie" Stewart, O.D., the drummer who anchored Third World through the Grammy-nominated band's most internationally influential years, has released "Have a Little Faith," a humanitarian single co-executive produced with Steve Lane of Digital 1 Media Services, with every cent of royalties directed to the Humanitarian Music Initiative for Jamaica.

The track, written and composed by Stewart, draws together ten vocalists whose combined careers span the breadth of Jamaican music: Leroy Sibbles, J.C. Lodge, Glen Washington, Carlene Davis, Wayne Armond, Dwisdom, Gem Myers, Patrick Ulysees Pinkney, Alecia Marie, and Carl McDonald. The press release describes the collaboration as "a rare historic coming together of Jamaican musical voices whose collective influence spans generations."

What makes the song's origin particularly striking is that its bones are decades old. Stewart revealed that a demo version was recorded 28 years ago and never released, featuring Richie Stephens, Carlene Davis, Prilly Hamilton, and Althea of Althea and Donna. The catalyst for finally bringing it forward was deeply personal. "I tired, I feel depressed," Stewart told the Jamaica Gleaner. "When we saw the humanitarian effort coming in, my wife said, 'Willie, if someone could write a song... .' And I said, but I'm a musician, I'm a songwriter. And, God would have it that Steve Lane, the nephew of the great Clancy Eccles, called me about doing a song. I told him that I already have one, but it was in a ballad. I knew it was a special song."

The connection between Stewart and the song became public at a thanksgiving service for Third World co-founder Stephen "Cat" Coore, where Rev. Astor Carlyle posed the question of which musician would write for Cuba, for Haiti, for those whose rights are trampled. Stewart spoke to Rev. Carlyle after the service and played him "Have a Little Faith" on the spot.

Early response from within the reggae community has been immediate. Kabu of Irie FM described the single as something that "feels like a warm memory from the golden age of reggae that we are missing, losing, in the space."

The first live performance is scheduled for April 18 and 19 at the Miramar Cultural Center as part of Rhythms of Africa: Run Di Riddim – Every Beat for Jamaica. The single is available now on all streaming platforms, with 100% of royalties flowing directly to the Humanitarian Music Initiative for Jamaica.