Richie Spice (born Richell Bonner on September 8, 1971 in Rock Hall,
St. Andrew, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae artist. He is a member
of the Rastafari movement. Some of his most famous songs include, "Youth
Dem Cold", "Groovin' My Girl", "Earth A Run
Red", "Marijuana" and "The Plane Land".
He is one of the Bonner brothers all of whom are reggae artists,
including Pliers and Spanner Banner.
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.
Having gained popularity in the mid-'90s, 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 most recent projects include performances at Sting held at Jam
World St. Catherine (December 26, 2002) and Sting Miami (March 2003).
More recently, a remix of one of his more popular tracks, "Marijuana" by
Digital Mystikz's Coki, re-named "Burnin'" has focused
more attention to him in the blossoming dubstep scene coming out
of the UK. The original version of "Marijuana" also appears
on the "These Are Serious Times" modern reggae compilation
on XL Recordings.
His song 'Youth Dem Cold' was featured on Grand Theft Auto IV's
Massive B Soundsytem 96.9 and the end credits of Attack the Block.
[edit] Discography
1999: Living Ain't Easy
2000: Universal
2006: Spice In Your Life
2007: In The Streets To Africa #6 at Top Reggae Albums[2]
2008: Gideon Boot #1 at Top Reggae Albums[2]
2009: Street Life
2011: Book Of Job