Mikey Spice & Richie Stephens face off in musical ‘Showdown’ as Tuff Gong drops new release

When two of Jamaica's most talented singers, Mikey Spice and Richie Stephens, get together in a recording studio, you expect something special. Their new musical production, "Showdown," is a catchy lovers rock single that brings together two distinctive voices and a friendship stretching back more than 25 years.

"Showdown," which was released through Tuff Gong International, is the first single from Spice Rock 2, a new project produced by Mikey Spice featuring an impressive collection of established reggae entertainers and emerging talent.

For Stephens, the collaboration was an easy decision.

"Tuff Gong to me is one of the best sounding studio in the entire Caribbean," Stephens told Caribbean National Weekly.

"I love to record at Tuff Gong, and even though I have my own studio space that gives me good sound as well, I know Tuff Gong is second to none. So when Mikey said, I'm at Tuff Gong working, come check me, I didn't hesitate."

And just like that, the seeds of "Showdown" were planted.

The idea was simple enough: two men, one woman, and a little friendly competition to see who could win her affection.

But putting that story into song required two singers who understood each other's musical instincts.

"Mikey Spice is one of my favorite singer for years and years and years," Stephens said.

"And when the idea came about for me and him to do a song, basically, I just know it's gonna be a showdown with me and him and a girl. So we start putting lyrics together."

The chemistry between the two was hardly surprising to Andrea Bullens, Spice's manager and a co-producer on the project.

"These two have known each other a long time," she said.

Their relationship goes back to Jamaica's North Coast entertainment scene, where both men developed their craft during a period when live bands were an essential part of the musical landscape.

"Back then, bands were a thing," Bullens recalled. "Real good musicians piping out stuff."

Those early experiences have stayed with both singers, and when it came time to record "Showdown," they wanted the music to have that same live, organic feeling.

What followed was a lively studio session, some friendly lyrical sparring, and a recording that celebrates a musical friendship.

According to Spice, assembling the star-studded cast for the album with Richie and his friends was never part of a grand plan.

“It just came together organically," he shared. "The artists heard the rhythm, showed up and voiced a tune. It was magical!”

His earlier production, Spice Rock 1, released in the early 2000s, showcased contributions from reggae royalty like Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Freddie McGregor, Edi Fitzroy, and Worl-a-Girl. Renewed interest in Spice's distinctive musical arrangements, including the recent "2 Time Riddim," built around a revamped version of one of his rhythms, may have helped inspire his return to production. But it was the spontaneous studio encounters that gave Spice Rock 2 its character.

"It was a nice vibe, through writing, singing – laughing, talking. We got a great set of songs," Spice explained.

For the "I Am I Said" singer, one of the greatest rewards was hearing established DJs step outside their comfort zones for the Spice Rock 2 project.

"I am proud of the outcome and the part that excites me the most is I was able to get some melodic songs from DJs, known for chatting - not singing. This spur of the moment juggling turned out quite good and it was nice to hear the various interpretation of songs from the veterans and the rising stars," he said.

For Spice, the project provided an opportunity to show another side of his musical personality. Many reggae fans know him for his powerful, soulful interpretations of songs such as "I Am I Said," "Born Again," "Walk A Mile," and "Here I Am." But long before this latest project, Spice had also developed his skills as a musician, arranger, and producer.

With Spice Rock 2, he is putting those talents back in the spotlight. And he wants to bring some younger artists along for the journey.

"There is room for creative growth in reggae music and I am open to sharing my platform," Spice said.

"My goal is to make other youths shine and expand their minds musically."