Ras-I and Khalia Unite for Modern Roots Romance on New Single Home

Ras-I and Khalia are offering a grounded perspective on love with their new single "Home," and the roots community is already taking notice. The two rising Jamaican reggae artists team up to deliver romantic modern roots reggae vibes on a track that carries real emotional weight. The song was produced by Koastal King's Keniel Drumz, who also played drums on the track, alongside Nnamdi Robinson on guitar, Oniel 'Keys' Dacres on keyboard, and Joshua Jones on bass.

"Home" is part of Ras-I's upcoming third studio album Heart of Love, which also features a collaboration with Grammy award-winning artist Kabaka Pyramid on "These Are The Days." Heart of Love is scheduled to arrive worldwide on May 15, 2026, and the 13-track project is already available for pre-save on all major digital streaming platforms. The album also features Govana and NESTA among its guest roster.

The duet's chemistry runs deeper than a studio arrangement. "Home" came together organically, with both artists contributing to the writing process. "The way Ras-I presented it, he wrote his verse and wanted us to build the rest together," Khalia said. "It felt like a well-thought-out concept that I was adding to. That's what makes a good collaboration." Khalia added that her connection to the song has evolved: "At the time, I wasn't in true love, so I wrote it based on what I imagined love to feel like, which is safe and secure. Now, years later, I can relate to it because I'm experiencing that kind of love."

For Ras-I, the concept of home extends far beyond a physical place. "Home to me is anywhere I feel at peace and wherever my heart feels full," he shared. The song draws from real-life experiences, with Ras-I emphasising authenticity as a core part of his songwriting. "All my love songs are from real-life situations because that's how the listener can truly relate," he said. At its core, the message is direct: "Love is not just about lust. Peace, clarity and security are vital," Ras-I added.

Khalia summed up the pairing simply: "I think our voices blend really well, and we work well as a team. No ego, just great music."

Ras-I is an acclaimed Jamaican roots-reggae artist whose profile has grown steadily on the international circuit. He took home Best New Reggae Artist at the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards, and his song "Somewhere Wonderful" served as the official song for the Jamaica Tourist Board. He has graced major festivals including Reggae Sumfest, Rebel Salute, Reggae Sunsplash, Tosh Fest, Reggae Geel, City Splash, and SXSW London.

Heart of Love is a deeply intentional body of work that explores love in its many dimensions: romantic, spiritual, ancestral, communal, and self-reflective. With "Home" now out on all major streaming platforms and the full album just weeks away, Ras-I is building the kind of catalog that roots fans will be spinning long past May 15.