Richie Stephens

About

Jamaican R&B, reggae, and dancehall singer and producer known for songs such as "Joy" with Soul II Soul, "Winner," "Bus the Place," "Every Time You're There," "Take Me Away," "By Your Side," and "Valley." He is also known for the albums Pot of Gold, Winner, Reggae Evolution, Real Reggae Music, Reverse the Curse, and The Soul of Richie Stephens.

Before fame

. He rose internationally in the early 1990s after singing lead vocals on Soul II Soul's 1992 song "Joy" which became a global hit. He signed with Motown Records in 1992 and released his Motown album Pot of Gold in 1993.

Trivia

He was the first Jamaican artist signed to Motown Records and his first single for the label was the R&B ballad "Every Time You're There." He received the Governor-General of Jamaica's Achievement Award in 2006 for his civic, social, and recreational contributions in Westmoreland.

Family life

He was born and raised in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica. His adopted son Demar Graham was a dancehall artist who performed under the stage name Copper Cat and died in January 2011.

Associated with

His 1998 instrumental rhythm track "Sail Away" was sampled on Rihanna's 2016 hit "Work" featuring Drake.