Shabba Ranks

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Shabba Ranks
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon
Alias = Shabba
Born = birth date and age|1966|01|17
St. Ann, Jamaica
Died =
Origin = Kingston, Jamaica
Instrument =
Genre = Dancehall
Occupation =
Years_active = 1985 - present
Label = Epic (1991–1996)
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URL =
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Shabba Ranks (born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon, 17 January 1966, Sturgetown, St. Ann, Jamaica) is a Jamaican dancehall recording artist.

He stands among the most popular Jamaican 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' de riddim". His gravel toned, rough-sounding voice made him instantly recognized worldwide.

Biography and music career

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 artists including British vocalist Maxi Priest, reggae singers Cocoa Tea, Crystal, Michael 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 [ [http://www.reggae-reviews.com/shabba.html Album Reviews] ] as a testimony of his popularity.

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". [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 | pages =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 "Mr. Loverman" (memorable for bringing the cry "Shabba!" to the music world). Other tracks include "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailer 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.

Recent news

Today, Ranks lives in New York City, and there is a rumor that he may be working out a record deal with Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Ranks made somewhat of a comeback in 2007 when he appeared on a song called "Clear The Air" by Busta Rhymes, which also features Akon.

Controversy

In 1992 on the British Channel Four programme "The Word" he advocated the crucifixion of homosexuals and was condemned for his comments by presenter Mark Lamarr who said Shabba was "talking crap" [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=JZ8Z0biU_Zw Youtube.com, record of Shabba Ranks in The World (starts at 1:41)] ] . Homophobic lyrics are present in a number of Shabba Ranks songs, including "No Mama Man" and "Wicked inna bed". See also LGBT rights in Jamaica.

Discography

ingles

*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 Deborahe Glasgow - 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.

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

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"

References in other media

The "Mr. Loverman" video was parodied by Marlon Wayans of "In Living Color" (an American comedy television series) in a video called "Mr. Uglyman," [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFDnfQWnqvE] 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 in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:08q4g4gttvnz~T1 Shabba Ranks biography at the AMG website]
* [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/shabbaranks Shabba Ranks at Rolling stone.com]

References

* 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