Published on May 6, 2012
Shabba
Ranks (born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon; January 17, 1966,
Sturgetown, St. Ann, Jamaica) is a Jamaican dancehall musician.
He
was one of the most popular dancehall artists of his generation. He was
also one of the first Jamaican deejays to gain worldwide acceptance,
and recognition for his 'slack' lyrical expressions and content, when
"ridin' di riddim". His gravel toned, rough-sounding voice made him
instantly recognized worldwide
Ranks gained his fame mainly by
toasting (or rapping) rather than singing, similarly to his dancehall
contemporaries in Jamaica. A protégé of deejay Josey Wales, he arrived
on the international stage in the late 1980s, along with a number of
fellow Jamaicans including reggae singers Cocoa Tea and Crystal. Ranks
also worked with Chuck Berry and America rappers KRS-One and Chubb Rock.
He
secured a major record deal with Epic Records in 1991. Having released
five albums for a major label, Ranks remains one of the most prolific
dancehall artists to break into the mainstream.[1]
The stylistic
origins of the genre reggaeton may partially be traced back to the 1991
song "Dem Bow", from Ranks' album Just Reality. Produced by Bobby
"Digital" Dixon, the Dem Bow riddim became so popular in Puerto Rican
freestyle sessions that early Puerto Rican reggaeton was simply known as
"Dembow".[2] The Dem Bow riddim is an integral and inseparable part of
reggaeton, so much so that it has become its defining characteristic.[3]
His
biggest hit single outside of Jamaica was the reggae fusion smash "Mr.
Loverman" (memorable for bringing the cry "Shabba!" to the music world).
Other tracks include "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailer Load A
Girls", "Wicked inna Bed", "Caan Dun", and "Ting A Ling".
In
1993, Ranks scored another hit in the Addams Family Values soundtrack to
which he contributed a rap/reggae version of the Sly and the Family
Stone hit "Family Affair". His third album for Epic, "A Mi Shabba", was
released in 1995, however it fared less well. He was eventually dropped
by the label in 1996. However, he won two Grammy Awards for previous
work, and Epic went on to release a 'Greatest Hits' album, entitled
Shabba Ranks and Friends in 1999.
Ranks (born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon; January 17, 1966,
Sturgetown, St. Ann, Jamaica) is a Jamaican dancehall musician.
He
was one of the most popular dancehall artists of his generation. He was
also one of the first Jamaican deejays to gain worldwide acceptance,
and recognition for his 'slack' lyrical expressions and content, when
"ridin' di riddim". His gravel toned, rough-sounding voice made him
instantly recognized worldwide
Ranks gained his fame mainly by
toasting (or rapping) rather than singing, similarly to his dancehall
contemporaries in Jamaica. A protégé of deejay Josey Wales, he arrived
on the international stage in the late 1980s, along with a number of
fellow Jamaicans including reggae singers Cocoa Tea and Crystal. Ranks
also worked with Chuck Berry and America rappers KRS-One and Chubb Rock.
He
secured a major record deal with Epic Records in 1991. Having released
five albums for a major label, Ranks remains one of the most prolific
dancehall artists to break into the mainstream.[1]
The stylistic
origins of the genre reggaeton may partially be traced back to the 1991
song "Dem Bow", from Ranks' album Just Reality. Produced by Bobby
"Digital" Dixon, the Dem Bow riddim became so popular in Puerto Rican
freestyle sessions that early Puerto Rican reggaeton was simply known as
"Dembow".[2] The Dem Bow riddim is an integral and inseparable part of
reggaeton, so much so that it has become its defining characteristic.[3]
His
biggest hit single outside of Jamaica was the reggae fusion smash "Mr.
Loverman" (memorable for bringing the cry "Shabba!" to the music world).
Other tracks include "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailer Load A
Girls", "Wicked inna Bed", "Caan Dun", and "Ting A Ling".
In
1993, Ranks scored another hit in the Addams Family Values soundtrack to
which he contributed a rap/reggae version of the Sly and the Family
Stone hit "Family Affair". His third album for Epic, "A Mi Shabba", was
released in 1995, however it fared less well. He was eventually dropped
by the label in 1996. However, he won two Grammy Awards for previous
work, and Epic went on to release a 'Greatest Hits' album, entitled
Shabba Ranks and Friends in 1999.
Category
License
- Standard YouTube License
Music
- "Mr. Loverman (feat. Chevelle Franklin)" by Shabba Ranks (Google Play • iTunes)
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