Richie Davis, widely known by his moniker “Nicotine”, is an influential London-born reggae vocalist and artist. Since emerging in the mid-1980s, he has become a staple of the UK reggae scene, celebrated for a soulful, versatile voice that transitions seamlessly between conscious roots reggae and romantic lovers rock.
Early Career & Breakthrough
- Origins: Born in London, England, Davis began his recording career in the 1980s.
- The “Nicotine” Moniker: He gained early fame under the name Nicotine (sometimes styled as Nicotine A Don), a title he used for hard-hitting dancehall and roots tracks like “Sensi Boom” and “Nicotine A Don” in the late 80s.
- Label Collaborations: Much of his early success was tied to major UK labels such as Unity Sounds and High Power Music, where he worked with top producers like the duo Mafia & Fluxy.
Musical Style & Influences
- Versatility: While deeply rooted in reggae, his style is heavily influenced by soul and R&B icons like Barry White, Dennis Brown, Stevie Wonder, and Lionel Richie.
- Lovers Rock: He is a major figure in the “Lovers Rock” genre, known for emotive hits such as “I’m So Alone” and “Give Me Little Loving”.
Notable Discography
- Albums:
- Love Songs (1990)
- Nubian Woman (2007)
- Richie Davis at Stingray Studio (Released 2024/2025)
- Classic Singles:
- “Sensi Boom” (late 80s)
- “Jah Army” (1990)
- “Buffalo Soldier” (Stingray Special Edition)
- “Lean Boot” and “You Ha Fe Cool”
Richie “Nicotine” Davis had several key 12-inch vinyl releases on the prominent UK label
Unity Sounds during the late 1980s and early 1990s, where he was known for both his conscious digital reggae and lovers rock tracks.
Richie Davis 12-inch Unity Sounds Releases
- “Sensi Boom” / “Talk About We”
- This is arguably his most famous and sought-after release from this era.
- “Sensi Boom” is a classic, hard-hitting digital dancehall track that features his “Nicotine A Don” deejay style. The flip side, “Talk About We,” showcases his vocal range with a more melodic sound.
- “Lean Boot” / “England We Deh”
- This release highlights his connection to the UK digital reggae scene of the 80s. “Lean Boot” is a notable track often praised in soundsystem culture for its killer digital rhythm.
- “Memories Of You”
- A prominent Lovers Rock release, this 12-inch features his soulful vocals on a romantic theme, a style he became equally famous for later in his career.
- “Sugar My Coffee” (Featured on a split 12-inch with Demon Rocka*)
- This 1989 release features Davis collaborating with another key artist on the Unity Sounds label, demonstrating the interconnected nature of the UK reggae scene at the time.
- “My Lover Gone” (Featured on a split 12-inch with Flinty Badman)