Richie Stephens

Richie Stephens, born Richard Stephenson on 5 December 1966 in Savanna‑la‑Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica, emerged from a musical family and quickly absorbed the island’s rich reggae and R&B heritage. In the early 1990s he joined the twice‑Grammy‑winning collective Soul II Soul, gaining valuable studio experience that propelled his solo ambitions. By the mid‑1990s Stephens was recording for major labels such as Motown and VP Records, releasing dancehall singles like "Winner", "Bus the Place" and "Slop Dem" that cemented his reputation as a versatile vocalist. His 1998 album Winner, issued by Greensleeves, featured production from Frenchie, Danny Brownie and Donovan Germain and showcased his ability to blend melodic R&B hooks with gritty dancehall rhythms. After a period of mainstream success, including UK chart entries with "Legacy" (Mad Cobra featuring Richie Stephens) and "Come Give Me Your Love" (featuring General Degree), Stephens shifted his lyrical focus toward uplifting Christian themes, a transition reflected on records such as "The Man Upstairs" (2002) and "God Is on My Side" (2012). In 2006 he received the Jamaican Governor‑General’s Achievement Award, recognizing his contributions to civic and social projects in Westmoreland. The tragedy of his adopted son Demar Graham’s death in 2011 marked a poignant personal challenge, yet Stephens continued to innovate, launching the Skatech riddim in 2014 that fused Jamaican ska with contemporary EDM elements. His collaborative spirit resurfaced in 2015 when he partnered with Italy’s Ska Nation Band, and he continued releasing genre‑defying projects such as "Internationally" (2016). Despite his artistic achievements, Stephens faced serious allegations of sexual assault in 2021, which he denied, and the ensuing investigations were closed without charges. Throughout more than three decades, Richie Stephens has remained a dynamic figure in Caribbean music, consistently navigating new styles while honoring his roots.