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Cultural reggae singer Ras Carey, of the musical group Music Knowledge, is on a quest to reinvent himself with a new image and a "positivity, uplifting" sound, as he thinks that music transcending those messages still has its place in society.

The artiste, who has been in the industry for a number of years, said though the constant evolution in music creates a fast-paced space within the industry, he believes "slow and steady with a message" will keep him relevant.

"I'm a designer suh I design my own clothes so I know I have the image, and as long as yuh can keep the music in a cultural way and keep the message in the music, you can't falter. Because if you're gonna move in this fast line with the music, yuh will lose focus and yuh affi keep in a good and steady meditation to really lift the nation culturally because some of these music they're doing nowadays are not uplifting," Ras Carey told THE STAR.

"Bob Marley and Burning Spear and others step out wid music with a message and wi affi be a revolutionist with the message because it's not like we're gonna fight this thing with a gun or knife. Suh musically, it's the message which fights for us. Music is the rod and we are the Moses suh wi affi just be the [representation] fi di people dem out deh in the world because the people demolishing demself," he added.

Hailing from the vibrant community of Rae Town, Kingston, Ras Carey said he always had a passion for music, which saw him branching out as a professional soloist by age 19 under the influence of his musical idols Bob Marley and Dennis Brown. Following the release of his first single, I Think It's Time, Ras Carey co-produced his next track, Love Rastafari, which featured dancehall artistes Macka Diamond, Konshens and Abijah on the same rhythm he produced. He has made his mark through community competitions such as Ready Fi Buss, in which Music Knowledge was formed, and Jamaica Cultural Development Commission shows. However, he propelled his career through appearances at local stage shows such as Sting and Reggae Sunsplash.

The artiste said he will reintroduce his 2013 single Itiopia to his fans because he believes the message it conveys is significant in today's culture and will bring change to some accepted norms.

"It's a message to the 'Motherland' and the creative youth out there like the [skilled workers] to let them know that the world is yours... wi bredda need guidance out there because the world is coming to a closure right now. Itiopa also signifies a justice thing for every youth fi mek dem know seh, if yuh have an idea musically or spiritually, yuh can come out wid it because this is the time now where our brothers need help because it's the time of revelation," he stated.

He shared that as the group looks to continue channelling positive messages through its music, one of the main aims is to tour globally and "push through the message" on an international level. The members of Music Knowledge - Dandexx, Kazoo and Ras Carey - said their latest Dean Fraser-produced single, My Culture, has been receiving air play, and the video is set to be released this summer. Music Knowledge is also set to release another conscious, but love-powered track titled, Love Can Set Us Free.

Ras Carey warned the younger generation to "be respectful and obedient" to their elders as he believes that's the only way to transcend and pass on cultural legacies.