New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Jamaican singer Richie Stephens will receive the biggest honor of his career when he is honored at the 34th annual ASCAP Pop
Music Awards in the USA in May. In a letter to the Jamaican crooner dated, April 13, 2017, Paul Williams, President of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) said, "I am pleased to inform you that you will be honored at the 34th annual ASCAP Pop
Music Awards on
Thursday May 18th at The Wiltern in Los Angeles for 'Work' (recorded by Rihanna) , which was among the most performed ASCAP pop songs of 2016."
The exclusive, invitation-only gala celebrates the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed pop songs of the year.
In was in January 2016 that Stephens got the news that his 'Sail Away' riddim, which was released in 1998 on his Pot of Gold label was sampled by pop singer
Rihanna featuring
Drake on the hit single 'Work.' Stephens was credited as co-writer of the song. 'Work' peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained there for nine weeks, becoming Rihanna's fourteenth number-one single. The song was also a #1 song in Canada, Brazil, Denmark, France, Netherlands and the top five of the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Germany.
"I have achieved a lot since I started singing over 40 years ago but this is the first time I am being recognized with a pop award. This is a major award and ranks among my biggest accomplishment to date" the elated singer noted.
"I would like to thanks God for blessing me with this awesome talent. I thank ASCAP for this major international recognition. I must also thank Rihanna, Drake, Boi-1da and everyone who worked on the project; my fans;
Jamaica land we love and most importantly my family for their unconditional support over the years."
Stephens is schedule to depart Kingston, for Los Angeles, CA in early May to attend the exclusive, invitation-only gala that celebrates the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed pop songs of the year. The event is expected to be attended by dozens of pop stars, industry insiders and international media from around the globe.
