RICHIE SPICE AWARDED THE PETER TOSH PIONEER AWARD AT CANEX 2019
Reggae Icon and stalwart Cannabis Advocate Richie Spice was recently lauded at the Caribbean's largest convention dedicated to the business of Cannabis at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. At Canex 2019 to the accompaniment of thunderous applause, Richie Spice was the recipient of the prestigious, well deserved accolade--the Peter Tosh Pioneer Award for his career long advocacy for cannabis in his music.
Richie Spice was the recipient of the prestigious, well deserved accolade--the Peter Tosh Pioneer Award for his career long advocacy for cannabis in his music. Tosh's daughter Niambe McIntosh presented the award after sharing highlights of her father's career and activism for herb legalization despite brutal oppression. She announced the tribute with these words: "An individual who is a true follower of Rastafari, he uses his faith and its grounded in his music and his message and that faith is what takes it across the world being a voice for the voiceless. His Cannabis activism is also grounded in his music with songs like "Marijuana" or "High Grade in My Chalice" embracing the rituals of Rastafari and educating people around the world and uplifting those around the world. In the Tosh tradition we honour the passion, dedication we found in Richie Spice a consummate professional who embodies the position we are honoured to bestow upon him, the Peter Tosh Pioneer Award."
SPOTIFY 2019
THE HEALING MIXTAPE
A timely release for fans is The Healing Mixtape video available on Spice's Youtube channel. It features a megamix of his biggest ganja hits along with commentary from the artiste/activist. The observant will notice a preview of several new cannabis themed tunes slated for release on his upcoming album, "Together We Stand."
"The Healing Mixtape" is an essential compilation of Spice's hit songs livicated to Rastafari's holy sacred herb. The power of the music is a testament to his steadfast cannabis activism.
BEAUTIFUL LIFE SINGLE
VP RECORDS PRESS RELEASE
New York, NY- Reggae & Rastafari champion Richie Spice returns to VP Records with a brand-new single “Beautiful Life” featuring Toronto based singer/songwriter Kathryn Aria, available worldwide January 18th.
The new single combines two of Richie’s strongest themes of love and consciousness.
“Beautiful Life” simultaneously presents itself as a lover’s tune while bridging together the universal concept of ‘One Love’ for life and consciousness. Produced by Steven Stanley, the song is a staple in Richie Spice’s already impressive music catalog.
With over 111 Million Streams across all platforms and known for his core hit reggae songs “Earth A Run Red,” ‘Youth Dem So Cold,” “Marijuana,” “Brown Skin” and “Ghetto Girl,” Richie Spice has recorded 8 albums for VP Records in his career, including his debut album “Spice In Your Life” which earned unanimous critical praise. He is in the studio finishing his new album for release.
“It's about the love of life, the connection, togetherness, that Rastafari call "Full Joy", says Richie Spice on ‘Beautiful Life’. “The song expresses the beauty of life whether in the perfection of Mother Nature's rivers and seas or in the intimacy between two persons.”
Beautiful Life Official Lyric Video
HISTORY
Reggae fans became acquainted with Richie Spice in 2004 when his single “Earth A Run Red” began its ascent on the charts, first in Jamaica, then internationally, ultimately emerging as one of the year's biggest hits despite being more than four years old! “Earth A Run Red” was originally featured on Spice’s debut album Universal released by Massachusetts based label Heartbeat Records in 2000.
In early 2004 Spice signed with 5th Element, a Kingston based management company/record label and they began a vigorous promotional campaign for “Earth A Run Red” in Jamaica which resulted in the song’s steady rotation on the airwaves and in the dancehalls. Additional hit tunes including the “Folly Living (Blood Again)”, “Ghetto Girl” and “Marijuana” were featured on Spice’s debut album for 5th Element Records--Spice In Your Life--which earned unanimous critical praise.
New York Times "One of the best reggae releases of 2004"
Los Angeles Times "One of the year’s ten best albums of any musical genre"
Jamaica Observer Newspaper's Artist & Vocalist 2004
IRIE FM Male Singer/Singjay of 2007
Kingston Black My Story Positive Musical Contributions Award 2008
IRIE FM & Thousands of Fans "Crown" Richie Spice--"Young King of Reggae" 2018
ALBUMS
To date Spice has released 8 full lps including four superb albums for VP Records:
Spice in Your Life was licensed from Fifth Element and re-released in 2006 by VP.
In the Streets To Africa, reached no. 6 on the Billboard Reggae chart in 2007, its hit single “Youth Dem Cold”, produced by popular New York Reggae radio personality Bobby Konders, peaked at no. 59 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles Chart.
Gideon Boot debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard Reggae chart, in May 2008, propelled by the hits “Di Plane Land” and the inspiring title track that details his vow to continually wage war for the survival of righteous reggae.
Book of Job in 2011 delivered a compelling mix of Rasta anthems (“Jah Never Let Us Down”), unity plea (“No More War”), selections for the ladies (“Serious Woman” produced by Shane Brown) and social commentaries drawn from Spice’s life experiences (“Street Life” and “Yap Yap”, produced by Stephen “Lenky” Marsden).
MUSICAL LEGACY
Born Richel Bonner in Kingston, Jamaica, Richie Spice hails from a musical family that includes his older brother Pliers (from Chaka Demus and Pliers of “Murder She Wrote” fame) and singer Spanner Banner. His younger brother is deejay Snatcha Lion.
Spice’s appealing brand of roots reggae is characterized by his versatile vocals that can deliver a romantic boom shot like “Brown Skin” and just as convincingly the righteous militancy of the rebellious “Youths Dem So Cold”, or the ancestral mystical lyrics of "Where There's A Will". All recordings are nuanced by his signature, "Nana nana nana na" flourishes. Guided by the principles of his Rastafari lifestyle, Spice’s lyrics rail against injustices and the plight of the oppressed, implore assistance for the youth and extend maximum respect to the ladies. “My responsibility is to use the talent that God gave me as an instrument to uplift people who are facing the struggle worldwide and let them feel happy in themselves,” Spice explains. “It is all about righteousness, and endorsing the love of the people, good over evil and life over death.”
NEW ALBUM FOR 2020
Together We Stand his new album is scheduled for release in 2020. The project will mark Spice's 9th full recording for VP Records and features a rich and diverse collection of songs crafted to add additional classics to his repertoire.
Spice having delivered conscious innovative hit songs for over a decade takes his mission seriously, "As an artist, it is my job to uplift the youths and teach them right from wrong.” Spice honors his pledge towards making music that empowers and educates as it entertains, insuring a better tomorrow for the youth."
DISCOGRAPHY
Living Ain't Easy (1999)
Universal (2000), Heartbeat
Spice In Your Life (2006), VP
In The Streets To Africa (2007), VP - Top Reggae Albums #6[5]
Motherland Africa (2007), Penitentiary - also released as Africa Calling
Gideon Boot (2008), VP - Top Reggae Albums #1 [5]
Book Of Job (2011), VP - Top Reggae Albums #4
Richie Spice Acoustic - Soothing Sounds (2012), Tad's International
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Spice has performed around the world including concerts and festivals in Japan, all across Europe, Africa, North and South America as well as the Caribbean. His interactions with people from various cultures globally have influenced his writing.
Richie Spice & the Element Band had an incredible performance at Summerjam 2019. You can fulljoy the concert at the link that follows.
Richie Spice is a rare, superlatively gifted artist whose appeal continues to grow with audiences across multiple demographics. His stellar catalogue of hit songs runs deep and strong as fans of all ages are heard to joyfully sing along at his energetic live shows.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
https://www.instagram.com/1richiespice/
https://www.facebook.com/RichieSpiceMusic/
https://twitter.com/1RichieSpice
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPMZ8R23TuZ64kxIMT_bvmQ
https://elementmusicgroup.org/
RICHIE SPICE CONTACTS
REQUEST FOR SHOWS - TOUR BOOKINGS
EUROPE-UK-ASIA-AFRICA
CARIBBEAN-NORTH AMERICA:
SEAN IRVING - Element Music Group Ltd
info@elementmusicgroup.org or michele@elementmusicgroup.org
Mobile/Whatsapp: 876 450 6942 or
876 597 0703