Stepping razor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A stepping razor is a dangerous person that is not to be messed with, referring to the fact that they are quick to fight. Its origins are unknown, but the term was first recorded in a popular song called Steppin' Razor, written by Joe Higgs and recorded by the popular Jamaican Reggae band The Wailers.
Cover versions (in chronological order):
- In 1977, a cover version was recorded by reggae musician Peter Tosh for his album Equal Rights. It subsequently became his nickname.
- The ska band Sublime recorded a cover version for their 1994 album Robbin' the Hood.
- A remixed version was recorded by the techno band Underworld in the late 1990s.
- British reggae-rock band Skindred recorded a version in roughly 2003, but it was never released and only exists as a demo.
References:
Cyberpunk author William Gibson used the term in his 1984 novel Neuromancer, where the character Molly is known as "the Steppin' Razor" to the residents of Zion, a Rastafarian space station. Neuromancer's status as the "Bible" of cyberpunk has led to the term's use in several other novels. For instance, Lucifer's Dragon by Jon Courtenay Grimwood includes a genetically- and cybernetically-enhanced bodyguard known as Raz, short for the Stepping Razor.
