| Musical genius Richie Stephens continues to amaze us with his intuitive insight and creative brilliance. After capturing the world’s attention with his album Reverse the Curse, and then following up with a massive collaboration with Sanchez – Double For My Troubles – Richie, via his Pot of Gold Production, is once again giving us another gem, the Street Gospel Riddim.
The Street Gospel Riddim is a dancehall-gospel compilation with surprising collaborations by some of Jamaica’s biggest gospel and secular recording artists. Composed by Stephens, the track-listing for the six-song EP reads as follows:
Da Flame & Beenie Man – No Obeah Man
Kevin Downswell & Bounty Killer – Call Him
Nitty Kutchie & Buju Banton – Lord I Thank You
Richie Stephens & Kukudoo – Pray That Away
Sanchez & Busy Signal – He Lives
Pot of Gold Production – Street Gospel Riddim
When asked how he managed to combine both Christian and secular artists on one compilation, Stephens said: “both Kevin Downswell and Kukudoo were very happy to be a part of this project. There were other gospel artists that I wanted to involve and they never really accept it. You have some gospel artists that figure if you are not a gospel artist like them they’re not interested to sing, and that’s kind of sad you know. Because we all supposed to understand that God say come as you are and our reaching out to gospel artists, as secular artists, I do believe that they should come and come fast because this could be a good step in the right direction. But I guess some gospel artists are not interested in that, they’re more thinking that if you are not an ardent Christian you are not worthy to sing with.” On the other hand, Buju Banton and Beenie Man, who are both overt Rastafarians, were excited to be featured.
The Street Gospel Riddim will be available on all streaming platforms on Friday, July 28th, 2023, courtesy of Pot of Gold Production (label) and VPAL Music (distributor). It will be accompanied by the official medley video, which is being launched at an in-person event at 1 Cassandra Avenue in Kingston 10, starting at 7pm.
Regarding what he would like listeners to take away from this EP, an enthusiastic Stephens said: “at the end of the day the Almighty is there for us. We have to remember that He is our comforter and we have to give the glory to Him. So I want people to listen this riddim and be encouraged, be strong, be firm, maintain that faith in the Almighty and just know that He will be our protector and savior.”
He goes on to acknowledge that although he is not a baptized church goer, he is indeed a highly spiritual person who believes in the Almighty. And he considers the Street Gospel Riddim a token of his appreciation for the blessings that he has received. |
