New York, NY (Top40 Charts) 2017 is one of the biggest year of Richie Stephens' musical career. After being honored with a Pop award at the ASCAP Pop
Music Awards in Hollywood in April and an R&B award at the 30th annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul (R&B)
Music Awards in Beverly Hills, CA - the singer will trek across the pond to England next
Thursday where he will collect two international awards - "Song of the Year" and "Digital Sales of the Year" by ASCAP on October 16 for his contribution to Rhianna's 'Work," which was among the top ASCAP songs on the 2016 year-end charts.
"I am over the moon" an ecstatic Stephens exclaimed. "I am so blessed to receive two international awards in the USA and now to be honored in England, is a major accomplishment at this time in my career. I share this award with my fans globally and three members of the Ska Nation Band who will accompany me on the red carpet in London."
So far 2017 has been a whirlwind year for the singer who kicked of the summer in Brooklyn, New York where he launched his Steely & Clevie produced album titled 'Luv-A-Dub Style.' The 14 track disc, which is distributed by VP Records, contain 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.'
Besides the international awards and the album, the singer was one of the top performers at the newly branded Reggae Sumfest, which drew record crowds at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay. The singer and his Ska Nation band then embarked on a successful 6 weeks summer European tour which included stops at "Reggae Jam" in Germany, and the "Untold Festival" in Romania which attracts over half a million (500,000) patrons annually. He then returned stateside in late August, for a two week promotional tour, to drum up support for his current dancehall/pop single "Happy Wine," that was recorded with US based urban singer Nheon. While in NY, he shared stage at Amazuru and BB
Kings with reggae/dancehall hotshots Konshens, Capleton, Charly Black, Shenseea, Estelle, Tanto Metro & Devonte and Kranium. He also did the Urban radio circuit, conducting interviews with
Bobby Konders & Jabba (Hot 97) in New York; DJ Norie (Power 105) in New York; B 87FM, Boston; Hot 99.1, Albany and Hot 93.7FM, Connecticut.
"I am extremely excited about the in roads that Happy Wine is making on urban stations in the US northeast. The song is getting steady rotation and is poised to enjoy further visibility now that the video for the song is released and circulated to video channels and various social media platforms. I thank God for the blessings because without him none of this would be possible" he noted.
After the award function in London, the singer and his Ska Nation Band will embark on a fall tour in
Europe in late October.
