Not many artists get called “the future of Reggae” by a member of Major Lazer before they hit double digits. Lake Anthony did, and now the nine-year-old musician and producer is answering that praise with a charity single stacked with genre veterans.
World Needs Love lands on all major streaming platforms October 16, 2026. Lake plans to donate proceeds from the release toward hurricane recovery efforts in Jamaica.
The moment that put him on the radar came at Burning Man 2026. Lake ended up onstage with Major Lazer, and Walshy Fire publicly named him the future of the genre, a clip that spread quickly online.
Lake isn’t treating the label lightly. To be called the future of Reggae is something I consider a big responsibility, and I take it very seriously,” he says, adding that he wanted to write about something he truly cares about.
That something is peace. “There is too much fighting and war, and too many people are suffering,” he says. “I wish we could all stop hurting each other and choose love instead.”
The track itself is a roots Reggae cut produced by Loud City, and it interpolates “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”
That song, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, became a hit for Jackie DeShannon in 1965 and has been a go-to anthem for hopeful messages ever since.
The guest list reads like a passport. Anthony B, Romain Virgo and Ce’Cile represent Jamaica, while Pato Banton flies the flag for the United Kingdom. Logan Bell of New Zealand’s Katchafire also joins in.
Each brings a different flavor. Anthony B has long been known for conscious roots messages, Romain Virgo’s smooth vocals have made him one of Jamaica’s most loved modern singers, and Ce’Cile brings dancehall edge. Pato Banton, meanwhile, is best known to many for his 1994 UK chart topper “Baby Come Back.”
Then there’s the most personal feature of all. Lake’s mother, Katherine Ramirez of California’s Mystic Roots Band, sings on the record too, and he says that part means the most to him.
“I love that music can bring people together, and that’s what I wanted this song to do,” Lake explains. “So we reached out to some of my friends from all over the world and asked them to be part of it.”
His link to Jamaica goes beyond the music. After visiting the island and seeing firsthand how communities were hit by hurricane damage, he wanted the song to play a part in the recovery.
“I hope when people hear it, they think about the people around the world who need help,” he says, “and that we all care enough to do something to make things better.”
Reggae has a long tradition of using songs to rally support in hard times, and Lake is stepping straight into that lineage. With the October release date closing in, the real test is how far a nine-year-old’s message, backed by some very seasoned voices, can travel.
