Richie Flo, a reggae recording artist whose musical roots trace back to St. Thomas, Jamaica, carries within him the heartbeat of his island heritage. Now based in Milton, Canada, he has built a career grounded in authenticity, spirituality, and lyrical optimism. His artistic journey began in his teenage years, penning poetry that would eventually evolve into songwriting, a natural progression for someone whose life has always been intertwined with rhythm and verse.
Guided by a deep belief in the power of positivity, Richie Flo infuses his music with messages that uplift, inspire, and connect. His sound is an artful blend of melodic flow and heartfelt lyricism, reflecting both his Jamaican foundation and his global outlook. With his 14-track album “Life, Love & Music”, Richie Flo showcased his versatility, seamlessly merging reggae, dancehall, R\&B, and pop into a rich tapestry of sound. The project was more than a showcase of talent; it was a testament to his ability to honor tradition while embracing creative evolution. As he prepares for his upcoming EP “St Thomas Mi Born”, Richie Flo stands poised at the intersection of heritage and modern artistry, determined to share the soul of reggae with audiences worldwide. His music is not just entertainment; it’s an experience rooted in cultural pride and a love for the craft.
On July 22, 2025, Richie Flo invites the world to step into the soul of roots reggae with the release of “Reggae (Do What We Want)”, a radiant and heartfelt tribute to the genre that shaped him. The single, steeped in the warm pulse of authentic reggae rhythms, personifies the music as a living, breathing presence, alluring, soulful, and timeless. Recorded in Toronto with production by the acclaimed House of Riddim, mixed and voiced by Richie Flo himself, and mastered by Xavier Farre, the track blends island heartbeat with polished precision. Serving as the first taste of his upcoming EP “St Thomas Mi Born”, “Reggae (Do What We Want)” becomes a love letter to reggae itself, a celebration of artistic freedom, and a reminder of the joy that music can bring when it stays true to its roots.
“Reggae (Do What We Want)” by Richie Flo is a radiant homage to the enduring spirit of roots reggae, opening with a warm, classic One Drop rhythm that immediately transports the listener to the sun-soaked vibes of 1970s Jamaica. The introduction is both inviting and unhurried, allowing the groove to seep in naturally before the full arrangement unfolds. The percussion sets a steady, heartbeat-like pulse that feels as organic as it is deliberate, while the bass slides in with a deep, rounded presence that grounds the track from the very start. There’s an immediate sense of authenticity here, every note, every beat feels steeped in tradition, yet the track also carries a refreshing modern sheen. As the groove locks in, the listener is drawn into an atmosphere that feels at once nostalgic and current, a careful balance that speaks to both the artistry of Richie Flo and the expert production behind him. It’s the kind of opening that doesn’t demand your attention with force, but rather pulls you in gently, like a familiar conversation that you want to linger in.
The instrumentation is meticulously arranged, with each element given space to shine without ever stepping on the toes of another. The guitar skanks are bright and percussive, landing on the off-beat with rhythmic precision, their crisp tone cutting through the mix in a way that’s both clean and soulful. Underneath, the bass hums and glides, its tone earthy yet full-bodied, anchoring the song with a warmth that’s as physical as it is sonic. The keyboards, subtly tucked into the background, provide swells of sustained chords that expand and contract like ocean tides, lending the track a sense of spaciousness. What’s particularly striking is how the production ensures that every instrument occupies its own sonic pocket, creating a three-dimensional listening experience. The result is an arrangement that breathes, with moments of openness that let the groove resonate, as though each note is given permission to fully exist before the next arrives.
As the song unfolds, the interplay between the rhythm section and melodic accents becomes its defining heartbeat. The bass doesn’t simply hold the root notes, it dances, weaving in melodic runs and subtle variations that add narrative movement to the groove. The percussion layers are equally dynamic, incorporating rimshots, shakers, and cymbal splashes that add just the right amount of sparkle without breaking the track’s laid-back flow. Occasionally, the guitar steps slightly outside its strict upstroke role, dropping in brief melodic flourishes that keep the texture evolving. There’s an intentional ebb and flow to the arrangement, with certain sections swelling into fuller, richer passages before pulling back into stripped-down moments that allow the groove to breathe again. This sense of balance keeps the song engaging without ever losing its easygoing charm.
Vocally, Richie Flo delivers with a warmth and confidence that reflects both his deep connection to reggae’s roots and his own personal artistry. His tone is smooth yet grounded, imbued with the cadence of his Jamaican heritage and the poise of a seasoned performer. The lyrics celebrate freedom, joy, and the communal spirit of reggae, but it’s his delivery that breathes life into them, each phrase flows effortlessly over the rhythm, feeling less like a performance and more like a natural expression. Supporting his lead is a layer of soft background adlib vocals that drift in and out of the mix, creating a gentle, almost dreamlike call-and-response effect. These adlibs, airy and understated, seem to float like echoes in the distance, adding depth to the vocal arrangement without overpowering it. They act as a subtle emotional undercurrent, reinforcing the song’s themes of togetherness and celebration while giving the track a layered, immersive quality.
One of the song’s most appealing qualities is its pacing, which is unhurried and deeply confident. Richie Flo resist any temptation to overcomplicate the arrangement or push the tempo, instead allowing the groove to settle naturally. This gives each instrumental and vocal phrase time to land, resonate, and breathe before the next one arrives. Transitions between verses and choruses are seamless, guided by understated drum fills, bass shifts, and gentle instrumental swells that move the listener along effortlessly. The choruses in particular feel like warm gatherings, the bassline becomes more buoyant, the instrumentation spreads wider in the stereo field, and the background adlib vocals step forward slightly, wrapping around the lead like a harmonious embrace. This layering makes the chorus moments feel expansive and communal, as if the song is inviting everyone in the room to join in the celebration.
Richie Flo’s ‘Reggae (Do What We Want)’ is a timeless, heartfelt tribute that honors roots reggae with warmth, authenticity, and soul.
By the time the track fades out, “Reggae (Do What We Want)” leaves the listener with a sense of both satisfaction and continuation, as though the groove could go on forever in some endless, sunlit jam session. It’s not a song built on dramatic highs or showy climaxes; instead, it thrives on the steady, hypnotic pull of its groove, the interplay of its textures, and the sincerity of its message. Every detail, from the earthy depth of the bassline to the crisp precision of the guitar chops and the soft, floating adlibs, serves the song’s central purpose, to honor reggae as both a musical form and a lived experience. In the end, Richie Flo delivers not just a track to listen to, but a feeling to live in, crafting something that is as timeless as it is refreshingly alive.
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