Shabba Ranks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shabba Ranks
Cover of Shabba Ranks' album X-tra Naked
Background information
Birth name	Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon
Also known as	Shabba
Born	January 17, 1966 (age 41) St. Ann, Jamaica
Origin	Kingston, Jamaica
Genre(s)	Dancehall
Years active	1985 - present
Label(s)	Epic (1991-1996)

Shabba Ranks (born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon, 17 January 1966, Sturgetown, St Ann's, Jamaica) is a Jamaican dancehall recording artist.

He stands among the most popular Jamaican dancehall artists of his generation. He also was one of the first Jamaican DJs to get worldwide acceptance and recognition for his 'slack' lyrical expressions and content when ridin de riddim. His gravel toned, rough-sounding voice made him instantly recognised worldwide.

1 Biography and music career
2 Controversy
3 Discography
4 Trivia
5 External links
6 References

[edit] Biography and music career

Ranks gained his fame mainly by Dee Jaying rather than as a vocalist similarly to his contemporaries in Jamaica. A prodigy of DJ Josey Wales, he arrived on the international stage in the late 1980s with a number of fellow artists including British vocalist Maxi Priest, reggae singers Cocoa Tea, Crystal and Mykal Rose, and R&B singer Johnny Gill. Ranks also worked with Chuck Berry and American 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, which critics have noted^[1] as a testimony of his popularity.

His biggest non-Jamaican hit was Mr. Loverman (memorable for bringing the cry Shabba! to the music world), although in Jamaica and for many reggae lovers, this was not his best work. Other, more appreciated tracks by reggae enthusiasts, include Respect, Pirates Anthem, Trailor Load A Girls, Wicked ina 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, his previous work netted him two Grammy Awards, and Epic went on to release a 'Greatest Hits' album, entitled Shabba Ranks and Friends in 1999.

There is a rumor that Ranks may be working out a record deal with Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records but nothing has been confirmed just yet.

He currently lives in New York City.

[edit] Controversy

In 1992 on the British Channel Four programme The Word he appeared to advocate the crucifixion of homosexuals and was condemned for his comments by presenter Mark Lamarr, although notably not by fellow guest Marky Mark who later had to make a public statement distancing himself from Ranks' views after his own image suffered.^[2] Ranks was however unrepentant, and this has been cited as one reason for his decline in popularity.

His views were also reflected on some of his tracks, such as No Mama Man:

Don't give a love to a man if you nuh seh him a mama man^[3]

If Jamaica would a legalize gun / to kill battyboy would be the greatest fun

Another example of these views is in the song Wicked inna bed:

Inna me fi bed me no want Alfred
me no want Tony
me no want Ted
me no promote Mama Man
I leave Mama man fi dead
BAM BAM! me lick a shot on a mama man's head

Ranks' viewpoint is, however, not unique in his area of music. Anti-homosexuality is a common viewpoint in the reggae-dancehall community in Jamaica; other reggae artists who have used Anti-homosexual lyrics in their music include Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Elephant Man and Sizzla. (See also LGBT rights in Jamaica.)

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

1989 "Peanie Peanie" - Shabba Ranks - Jammys.
1990 "Roots & Culture" - Shabba Ranks - Digital B.
1991 "She's A Woman" - Scritti Politti Featuring Shabba Ranks - UK Number 20.
1991 "Trailer Load A Girls" - Shabba Ranks - UK Number 63.
1991 "Housecall" - Shabba Ranks Featuring Maxi Priest - UK Number 31 - US Number 37.
1992 "Just Reality" - Shabba Ranks - Digital B.
1992 "Love Punaany Bad" - Shabba Ranks - Jammys.
1992 "Mr Loverman" - Shabba Ranks Featuring Chevelle Franklyn - UK Number 23 - US Number 40.
1992 "Slow And Sexy" - Shabba Ranks Featuring Johnny Gill - UK Number 17 - US 33.
1992 "Shine & Crisis" - Shabba Ranks - Shang.
1993 "I Was A King" - Eddie Murphy Featuring Shabba Ranks - UK Number 64.
1993 "Mr Loverman" - re-issue - Shabba Ranks - UK Number 3.
1993 "Housecall" - remix - Shabba Ranks Featuring Maxi Priest - UK Number 8.
1993 "What'cha Gonna Do" - Shabba Ranks Featuring Queen Latifah - UK Number 21.
1993 "Family Affair" - Shabba Ranks Featuring Patra And Terri & Monica - UK Number 18 - US Number 84.
1995 "Let's Get It On" - Shabba Ranks - UK Number 22 - US Number 81.
1995 "Shine Eye Gal" - Shabba Ranks Featuring Mykal Rose - UK Number 46.
1996 "Heart Of A Lion" - Shabba Ranks - Digital B.
1997 "So Jah Say" - Shabba Ranks - Brick Wall.

[edit] Albums

1988 Rappin' With the Ladies
1991 Just Reality
1991 Golden Touch
1991 Best Baby Father
1991 As Raw As Ever - UK Number 51.
1992 Rough And Ready Volume 1 - UK Number 71.
1993 X-tra Naked - UK Number 38.
1993 Rough And Ready Volume 2
1995 A Mi Shabba
1998 Get Up Stand Up
1999 Shabba Ranks And Friends - compilation

[edit] Videos and DVDs

2002 Shabba Ranks: Dancehall Ruff - Best of Shabba Ranks (DVD)
2001 The Return of Shabba Ranks (DVD)
1994 Darker Side of Black
1992 Shabba Ranks: Naked and Ready
1992 Shabba Ranks: Fresh & Wild
1992 Shabba Ranks vs. Ninja Man: Super Clash Round
1990 Reggae Showdown, Vol. 4: Shabba at Showdown (DVD)
1987 Prince Jammy

[edit] Trivia

Ray Von, a character from Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, has the catchphrase, "Shabba!".
The "Mr. Loverman" video was parodied by the cast of In Living Color (an American comedy television series) in a video called "Mr. Uglyman".[1]
A reference was made to Shabba Ranks in the hit comedy series Harry Enfield and Chums.
Wicked Inna Bed is featured on the Reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, released in October 2004.