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Biography
BLP refimprove|date=September 2011Infobox musical artist| image =| name = Shabba Ranks| background = solo_singer| birth_name = Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon| alias = Shabba Ranks| birth_date = birth date and age|1966|01|17 Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica|St. Ann , Jamaica | death_date =| origin = Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston , Jamaica | instrument =| genre = Dancehall , reggae fusion , ragga | occupation = Singer | years_active = 1985–present| label = Epic Records|Epic (1991–1996)| associated_acts =| website = Shabba Ranks (born Rexton Rawlston FernandoGordon ; January 17, 1966, Sturgetown, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica|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 Deejay (Jamaican)|deejays to gain worldwide acceptance, and recognition for his ' slackness|slack ' lyrical expressions and content, when "ridin' di riddim ". His gravel toned, rough-sounding voice made him instantly recognized worldwide.
Biography and music career
Ranks gained his fame mainly by Deejay (Jamaican)|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 United States|America rapper s 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. http://www.reggae-reviews.com/shabba.html Album Reviews
The stylistic origins of the genre reggaeton may partially be traced back to the 1991 song " Dem bow|Dem Bow ", from Ranks' album Just Reality . Produced by Robert Dixon (musician)|Bobby "Digital" Dixon , the Dem Bow riddim became so popular in Puerto Rican freestyle sessions that early Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican reggaeton was simply known as "Dembow".cite news | first=Wayne | last=Marshall | coauthors= | title=The Rise of Reggaeton | date=2006-01-19 | publisher= | url = http://thephoenix.com/Article.aspx? id=1595 | work =The Phoenix | page =4 | accessdate = 2007-12-05 | language = The Dem Bow riddim is an integral and inseparable part of reggaeton, so much so that it has become its defining characteristic.cite news | first=Jon | last=Carimanica | coauthors= | title=Grow Dem Bow | date=2006-01-12 | publisher= | url = http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0603,caramanica,71722,22.html | work =The Village Voice | pages = | accessdate = 2007-12-05 | language =
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.
Recent news
Today, Ranks lives in New York City . Ranks made a partial comeback in 2007 when he appeared on a song called "Clear The Air" by Busta Rhymes , which also features Akon .
Shabba released a single on Big Ship's Pepper Riddim called "None A Dem", in April 2011.
Controversy
In 1992, during an appearance on Channel Four music show The Word (TV series)|The Word , he quoted the verse from the Bible condemning homosexual s, and was subsequently condemned for his comments by presenter Mark Lamarr who said that what Shabba was saying was "absolute crap".cite web |url= http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=GIRmQNM4xUk#t=1m22s |title=The World |year=1992 |publisher=Channel 4 |accessdate=8 September 2010 Anti-homosexual lyrics are present in a number of Shabba Ranks songs, including " No Mama Man " and " Wicked inna bed ".
Discography
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.
1989 Holding On (album)|Holding On - by Home T, Cocoa Tea & Shabba Ranks Produced by Augustus "Gussie" Clarke.
1990 '' Rappin' With the Ladies Produced by Augustus "Gussie" Clarke.
1990 Just Reality Produced by Bobby "Digital B" Dixon.
1990 Golden Touch (Shabba Ranks album)|Golden Touch Produced by Mikey Bennett & Patrick Lindsey (Two Friends Label).
1991 As Raw As Ever Produced by Multiple producers incl Steelie & Clevie, "Bobby Digital B" Dixon, Mikey Bennett (Two Friends Label) & others - UK Number 51.
1991/1992 Mr. Maximum Produced by Augustus "Gussie" Clarke (tracks: 2-12) / Track 1 Produced by Maxi Priest - Additional production: Mikey Bennett (Two Friends Label) - New and re-issues/remixes of previous material.
1992 Rough And Ready Volume 1 Multiple producers - New and re-issues of previous material - UK Number 71.
1992 X-tra Naked Produced by Multiple producers incl Steelie & Clevie, Bobby "Digital B" Dixon & others - UK Number 38.
1993 Rough And Ready Volume 2 Multiple producers - New and re-issues of previous material.
1995 A Mi Shabba Produced by Multiple producers incl Bobby "Digital B" Dixon.
1998 Get Up Stand Up (album)|Get Up Stand Up Produced by King Jammy.
1999 Shabba Ranks And Friends Multiple producers - Remakes and re-issues of previous material.
Videos and DVDs
2002 Shabba Ranks: Dancehall Ruff - Best of Shabba Ranks (DVD)
1992 Shabba Ranks vs. Ninja Man: Super Clash Round
1990 Reggae Showdown, Vol. 4: Shabba at Showdown (DVD)
1987 Prince Jammy
References in other media
The "Mr. Loverman" music video|video was parodied on the satirical ITV1 puppet show Spitting Image and by Marlon Wayans of In Living Color (an United States|American comedy television series ) in a video called "Mr. Uglyman," http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=LFDnfQWnqvE dead link|date=December 2011 which played upon the opinion that Shabba is somewhat unprepossessing. Tyler Perry frequently references Shabba Ranks in his hit plays, specifically I Can Do Bad All By Myself and ''Madea's Family Reunion''. Additionally, Ray Von, a character from Peter Kay 's Phoenix Nights , uses the catchphrase "Shabba!". Will Smith also says "Shabba!" during two episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air .
"Wicked Inna Bed" is featured on the reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West|K-Jah West in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas .
External links
Allmusic|class=artist|id=p2930/biography|pure_url=yes Shabba Ranks biography at the AMG website
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/shabbaranks Shabba Ranks at Rolling stone.com
References
Reflist
Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7
Wikiquote Persondata | NAME =Ranks, Shabba | ALTERNATIVE NAMES =Gordon, Rexton Rawlston Fernando | SHORT DESCRIPTION =Jamaican dancehall musician | DATE OF BIRTH =January 17, 1966 | PLACE OF BIRTH = Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica|St. Ann , Jamaica | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Ranks, Shabba Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Jamaican reggae musicians Category:Jamaican expatriates in the United States Category:Dancehall musicians Category:Reggae fusion artists Category:Grammy Award winners
