Ras Groundation is an initiated Drum Chief, Master Drummer, drum craftsman, oral historian, multi-faceted artist, traditional healer of the Ballacus People of Trinidad and Tobago, and business owner of the Mother Earth Centre, located in Toronto's Little India.

Performing and teaching worldwide for 25 years, his fanbase extends throughout Ontario, Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, India and the world.

D'Ras comes from an artistic family with a military background. He started performing at seven years old in the Diamond Vale Youth Steel Orchestra as a bass man in his home community of Diamond Vale Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago. He has played in panyards like Merry Tones, Humming Birds, Starlift and Phase Two, eventually winning 1st place in the National Junior Panorama competition.

Immigrating to Muskoka, Canada in 1998, Ras Groundation became the manager of the Transformations Art Gallery. He has exhibited his work in local galleries, craft shows and festivals such as the One of a Kind Show. He worked for a local drum artisan and was initiated into a Medicine Society at 18 years old, when he built his first cabin in the woods and lived off the land for several years.

After moving to Toronto, with the support of the Rastafarian community, he began selling his arts and crafts on Queen Street and local festivals like Afrofest and eventually established himself at Uprising Bookstore in Toronto's Kensington Market. He has performed with several Toronto-based African ballet companies at notable venues including Harbourfront Centre, Sony Centre, Ontario Centre for Performing Arts, Burlington Centre for Performing Arts, El Mocambo, Lula Lounge, Niagara Falls, CNE, and Fort York.

Today, in addition to being a successful business owner, he is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Bantaba Institute of Indigenous Music, and the leader the Bantaba Orchestra Choir. He continues his work of carving drums, traditional storytelling, traditional healing, teaching and mentoring youth and adults of all ages.

He has opened for politician Bob Ray, Governor General Michaëlle Jean, KRS-One and Dr. Frances Cres Welsing, Winnie Mandela, His Royal Highness the Oni of Ife Adeyeye Enitn Ogunwusi and Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.

He has been showcased on CBC Canada, Toronto Star, TVO, Omni TV, CKLN, on David Suzuki "Nature of Things", as well as the award winning documentary "Rasta: A Soul's Journey" directed by Bob Marley's granddaughter Donisha Prendergast.