Richie Stephens

Biography:

Richard Stephenson, born on 5 December 1966, is better known by his stage name Richie Stephens. He is a Jamaican singer and producer known for his work in R&B, dancehall, and reggae genres.

Richie Stephens, born in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica, has had a diverse career in the music industry. In the early 1990s, he was part of the Grammy Award-winning act Soul II Soul. During this time, he recorded at Motown and worked with the VP label before establishing his own label, Pot of Gold Records. In the late 1990s, he released notable dancehall singles like “Winner,” “Bus the Place,” and “Slop Dem.” His tracks “Legacy” (Mad Cobra featuring Richie Stephens, 1993) and “Come Give Me Your Love” (Richie Stephens featuring General Degree, 1997) achieved chart success in the UK.

In 1998, Richie Stephens released the album “Winner” under Greensleeves, showcasing his versatility as a producer. Over the years, he shifted his musical focus to Christian-related themes. In 2006, he received the Jamaican Governor-General’s Achievement Award for his contributions to civic, social, and recreational projects in and around the parish of Westmoreland.

Tragically, in January 2011, Richie’s adopted son Demar Graham, also known as Copper Cat, was shot and killed outside his home in Kingston.

Richie Stephens continued his musical journey, releasing the album “God is on My Side” in 2012 under Pot of Gold/VPAL. He collaborated with German reggae singer Gentleman on an album released in November 2012. In 2014, recognizing the growth of EDM in Jamaica, Stephens launched a new riddim called ‘Skatech,’ blending Jamaican ska with EDM in an effort to bring ska back into the musical spotlight.

Richie Stephens also showcased his national pride by singing the Jamaican national anthem at the WCQ between Jamaica and Panama at the National Stadium, Kingston, on 16 March 2013. In 2015, he began working with the Italian ska ensemble the Ska Nation Band while continuing his solo career. Reports in November 2015 indicated that he was working on a new solo album set for release in early 2016.