Ras Droppa ADD

Born Samuel Richards, musical artist Ras Droppa has been creating and helping to spread music internationally for nearly thirty years. His talent began to shine at the young age of three when he began singing and playing the melodica, his first true instrument, in the streets of Jamaica alongside his older brothers. From their humble beginnings in Trenchtown and Westmoreland, Jamaica, which reads like the pages from the Jacksons and other famous musical families, the Richards came together to create a musical experience unlike any other.

Ras Droppa's father, Ellis Richards, was a local shoemaker and began teaching his children to appreciate music and learn scales at an incredibly early age. His early teachings in pitch, harmony and tempo naturally opened their eyes to the possibility of sharing their music through a career as artists. At one point, all nine of Richard's children were performing musically. Eight brothers and their only sister Andrea were known throughout Jamaica as 'The Richards Brothers Band' and their success led them to be featured on Jamaican television. As they grew older, each of the Richards sought their true calling and Ras Droppa discovered that his was to share his music with the world.

Ras Droppa's early influences stemmed from his exposure to artists from his homeland, like Bob Marley, Aston "Family Man" Barrett, Garnet Silk, Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare and Roland Alphonso and the Skatalite. Though no one motivated him pursue his interests more than his music teacher, the accomplished xylophone and vibraphonist, Lenny Hibbert. It was Hibbert's performances at local hotels and his constant encouragement that helped Ras Droppa choose music as his life pursuit.

Ras Droppa's early stage name, "One Drop," was picked up around the age of sixteen from the Bob Marley tune of the same name, which he loved to sing even as a child. The opportunities for him to begin sharing his talent internationally started early on. He first began performing with the Hot Peppers band, who are recognized throughout Jamaica, and was invited to tour with them in Japan for six months. Shortly thereafter, The Jamaican Tourist Board asked him to perform in Cuba and he then continued on to the United States and Canada.

Armed only with his custom Steinberger, Ras Droppa has already performed across more stages, clubs and festivals than most musicians experience in a lifetime. He has shared the stage with reggae fame such as Sugar Minott, Beres Hammond, The Congos, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Lucky Dube, Burning Spear, Aswad, Sly and Robbie, Jimmy Cliff, Yami Bolo, Dennis Brown, The Wailers, Cannibus Cup, Leroy Sibbles and Jr. Jazz (just to name a few). He has toured extensively throughout the world with legendary artists like Anthony B, the Mighty Diamonds, Cocoa Tea, Half Pint and Sister Carol. He has been featured at reggae events ranging from Central Park Concerts of New York and the Reggae On The Rocks and Renegade Festivals of Colorado and Nevada to "Reggae On The River", one of the biggest multi-day reggae concerts held each year in Los Angeles.

Ras Droppa has also lent his talents in other areas by composing and performing tracks for the widely released motion picture “Lost Highway” and has contributed to the soundtrack for the Academy Award winning film “Good Will Hunting”. He is presently featured in the upcoming independent motion picture “The Knee Shack” in which he performs several numbers. He has appeared in a widely distributed commercial campaign for the NY Lottery, with spots airing in multiple languages across radio and television networks. Most recently, Ras Droppa was featured in an interview in HI Magazine discussing Bob Marley’s influence on reggae and the genre’s future.

After years of performing with the great and near great, and having appeared live in front of millions of people around the world from places as far reaching as Japan, Europe and Africa, Ras Droppa is currently working on his second album.

The first single from the album, "Just A Little Song" featuring Anthony B, was released in January of 2001 on the StarTrail label and was very well received in Jamaica, instantly making an appearance on the charts. His album "Just a Little Song" was released in 2006, featuring all original songs covering a wide range of reggae styles as well as hip-hop. A music video of the hip-hop version of “Got To Be Strong” has been produced and is already seen regularly on the CIN Network throughout the world.

Ras Droppa is well known and respected throughout the New York area reggae scene and around the world, and whether headlining with his band or supporting another artist on bass guitar and vocals, one can be assured that they're in for a great evening of entertainment with this passionate musician and consummate artist filled with energy and talent, poised to take on the world with his music.