Ricky Stereo is still the ‘Bad Artiste’

Back in the 80s, DJ Ricky Stereo was such a master of the game that the people decided that there was only one name that truly fit him: 'Bad Artiste'.

His first recording, TV Know All, was a collaboration with Lt Stitchie on the Stereo One Label, the sound from which he got his name. From 1987, Ricky Stereo released a string of hit songs like Original Lover Boy and Jealous Love. Tours of the UK, USA, Canada and parts of the Caribbean were all part of his normal itinerary, until he stepped away from music for several years to focus on raising his family. But now he is back and ready to reclaim his title.

"I was out for more than 10 years but the good thing is that I never stop writing. Plus, I would do a one show here and there. My last son is now in college, so I am doing me. But I must say that it is a joy to see my kids grow up and to know I was there every step of the way. I don't regret it at all," Ricky Stereo told THE WEEKEND STAR.

It was in September 2019 that he came out of semi-retirement and pounced on the stage of Legends in Concert in Atlanta, Georgia. It was the return that he dreamed of.

"Yuh know when yuh don't do a thing for a long time there is a little timidity. But once I touch the stage, it was like riding a bicycle. Yes, the Bad Artiste is back. I delivered real good and the people remember me," he shared. In January 2020, it was a similar vibe when he performed in Florida, and had it not been for the pandemic, many more performances would have followed.

But he is not blasting the lockdown caused by the virus. Instead, Ricky Stereo has embraced the opportunities that it brought for his team, which includes his manager Denise Davis of Fyre4Lyfe Entertainment, to take advantage of the burgeoning online platforms for promotions.

New album

"I did so many interviews in lots of different countries. Everybody wanted to know where I was and what I am doing," he explained.

Now working with producers Omiel and Oniel Burke of Obizzl3 Production on a new album, titled Ignite, Ricky Stereo has also dropped a few singles.

" Workaholic is the song that put me back on the scene and since then I have released Grudge, Reset Button and Better Days. But I kinda change up the ink in my pen a little. The 80s embedded inna mi, but you have to listen to what is going on now and curve your thing to the present. The young artistes, it is their time to shine and yuh have to allow dem to do that while using your own tactics. I am here to entertain the world and that includes young people as well," he explained.

While acknowledging the talent of some of the current dancehall acts, Ricky Stereo said he is hopeful that they will learn to expand their themes. He stated, "Right now, too many of them are 3G artistes. All they write about is guns, ganja and girls."