Singer Richie Stephens, who received an award at the 34th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards ceremony in Hollywood, California, will be returning to California to receive additional honors at the 30th annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards event on June 22, 2017, in Beverly Hills. He will receive the R&B award for the contribution he made to “Work” by Rhianna, one of the top ASCAP songs on the charts at the end of 2016. Stephens described receiving the two international awards as “a thunderstorm” in his career. He added that he is scheduled to headline Reggae Sumfest with the Ska Nation band. Stephens has not performed at Reggae Sumfest for more than ten years. Following the Sumfest performance, he and Ska Nation will travel to Germany for Reggae Jam, the first stage in their summer tour of Europe. Before going to Los Angeles for the R&B music awards ceremony, Stephens plans to stop in New York on June 16, 2017, to launch his new album “Luv-A-Dub Style,” which is produced by Steely & Clevie. The launch will take place at the Milk River Restaurant in Brooklyn, where Stephens will be joined by Ed Robinson; DJ Sister Nancy who is featured on one track; Platinum Kids, DJ Roy and Dub Master Chris from Irie Jam Radio. The new album has 14 tracks and includes songs like “Feel Good All Over;” “All Night Long” featuring U Brown; “Love Her Up” with Sister Nancy; “Come Back To Bed” and “Rain From The Sky.” Stephens has also recorded two new songs with Bounty Killer, including the very hot dancehall hit “Bad Boys in Town.” According to Bounty Killer, Richie Stephens always encourages him to do different kinds of music and was the first person to get him to sing an R&B song.

Photo Credit: Instagram @mariajackson27