Richie Spice

Richie Spice (born Richell Bonner on September 8, 1971 in Rock Hall, St. Andrew, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae artist. He hails from one of the island's most renowned family of artists. The Bonner brothers consist of Richie Spice, Pliers from Chaka Demus and Pliers, Spanner Banner, dancehall DJ Snatcher Lion and Mikey Spice.

Spice's first Jamaican single "Killing a Sound" was produced by Dennis "Star" Hayes. This was followed by "Shine" by ace Jamaican record producer/musician Clive Hunt. Spice also teamed up with Hunt for his debut album on the Island Jamaica Label from which came his first major hit "Grooving my girl". His sister, Bridgett Bonner for Bonner Productions Ltd., organized his second album. The album produced hits such as "Earth a Run Red", "Living Ain't Easy", Land of Jamaica "Time So Rough", the aforementioned "Grooving My Girl" and many others. This album, renamed UNIVERSAL is contracted to Heartbeat Records for further development and international exposure. Spice currently has a hot new album to be released early summer of 2003 called WORLD ROCK.

Having gained popularity in the mid 90's, Spice has performed at all major shows staged locally namely Reggae Sun Splash (a paid tribute by him to Bob Marley), White River Reggae Bash, Rebel Salute and many others. Spice has opened shows for the likes of Chaka Demus and Pliers, Spanner Banner and Rita Marley on extensive tours of Europe and the United States 1996-1997.

He again toured East North America from June to September 2001. His increased popularity has gained him spots at numerous venues. His projects include performances at Sting held at Jam World St. Catherine (December 26, 2002) and Sting Miami (March 2003).

Armed with just a microphone, one-drop rhythms and purifying lyrical flames, singer Richie Spice is the Gideon of contemporary reggae. The self declared “prince of fire” uses culturally uplifting, spiritually fortified words to defeat the negative content that informs much of popular (Jamaican) music. Fittingly, “Gideon Boot” is the title track of Spice’s brilliant fourth album. Recorded over the timeless “Johnny Too Bad” rhythm (taken from The Slickers 1970s hit of the same name, popularized in the film “The Harder They Come”) the song details Spice’s strategic plan for delivering his musical sermon to an awaiting global audience. “I need a Gideon boot and a khaki suit to stand out inna Babylon and defend the truth/ I got a strong reggae beat with a mic in my hand fe lead out de youth dem outta destruction and let de people know right from wrong.”

Just like the singer’s previous albums “Universal”, “Spice In Your Life” and “In The Streets to Africa”, “Gideon Boot” contains inspiring messages specifically aimed at empowering vulnerable youth. Spice confidently juxtaposes his songs of valor with unity themes (“Living In Love”, “Getting Harder”) and the importance of staying focused (“Make Up Your Mind”, “Hang On In There”). Spice’s flawless vocals effortlessly scale the high notes then smoothly segue into scatted improvisations as he weaves intricate, evocative melodies throughout this exquisite 15-track set that is certain to carry his name to unchartered territories for Jamaican music.

The traditional Rastafarian Nyabinghi drumming that dominates the opening cut “Babylon Falling” heralds the seriousness of Spice’s musical mission. “World Is A Cycle”, sung over producer Arif Cooper’s haunting “Guardian Angel” rhythm, is, as Spice explains, “a song for the children and for the parents saying be careful because what you do can fall right back on you and your kids.”

Also included is the current Jamaican hit “The Plane Land” which display’s Spice’s superb story telling skills. The song’s lyrics detail the frustration that oftentimes accompanies post 9/11travel. “Saddle up myself fe take interrogation…tek off mi shoes, tek off mi tam, if they ever find you with a spliff yu gone another land.” “It is a song everyone can relate to if they travel,” notes Spice, “and if they don’t travel, they will learn this is what we go through as entertainers as we go to other countries.”

Richie Spice is a member of the Rastafari movement

Category:Jamaican reggae musicians Category:Jamaican Rastafarians

Category:1971 births

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