Renowned music producer and DJ Richard “Richie D” Martin is expanding his creative portfolio by venturing into concert promotion with the inaugural Love and Reggae event scheduled for Valentine’s Day. The concert will transform the picturesque lawns of Devon House in St. Andrew into a romantic musical haven featuring two of reggae’s most celebrated voices.
Sanchez and Wayne Wonder, both iconic figures in the romantic reggae genre, will headline the event marking their first shared stage performance in over a decade. The concert will showcase Akeem Fennell, the 2024 Digicel Rising Star winner, as the opening act, providing a platform for emerging talent alongside established legends.
Martin revealed to the Jamaica Observer that the concept was originally developed for December 2023 but was strategically repositioned to align with Valentine’s Day. “With two legendary artistes whose music celebrate love and romance, Valentine’s Day became the perfect and most natural choice to bring this vision to life,” Martin explained.
The producer emphasized the significance of the artist selection, noting both his personal relationships with the performers and the historical gap since their last joint appearance. “Both artistes are timeless favourites, especially among female fans, and their catalogues are filled with love anthems. There truly couldn’t be a better pairing to headline a Valentine’s Day celebration,” Martin added.
The event will feature live performances with both artists’ full bands, complemented by DJ Master ROGJ’s selections and hosting by Bambino and Jade. Martin, whose production credits include Lady Saw’s chart-topping single ‘I’ve Got Your Man’ and the influential ‘Faith’ rhythm, aims to create an immersive experience that allows attendees to “escape, reconnect, and fall in love with reggae all over again.”
In a philanthropic gesture, portion of the proceeds will be directed toward Hurricane Melissa relief efforts, adding a charitable dimension to the romantic musical evening.