Shabba Ranks

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Shabba Ranks

Background information
Birth name Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon
Also known as Shabba
Born January 17, 1966 (1966-01-17) (age 42)
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, 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.

Contents

[edit] 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 has also declared that his success is due to his life long partner Christian Andrews.

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.

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 "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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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[4], 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.[5] 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"[6]

"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 not unique in his area of music, or in Jamaica for that matter. Dislike of homosexuality is a common theme in dancehall music and in many Jamaican communities; other dancehall 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 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.

[edit] Albums

[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] 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,"[1] 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!".

"Wicked Inna Bed" is featured on the reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Album Reviews
  2. ^ Marshall, Wayne. "The Rise of Reggaeton", The Phoenix, 2006-01-19, pp. 4. Retrieved on 2007-12-05. 
  3. ^ Carimanica, Jon. "Grow Dem Bow", The Village Voice, 2006-01-12. Retrieved on 2007-12-05. 
  4. ^ Youtube.com, record of Shabba Ranks in The World (starts at 1:41)
  5. ^ Sanello, Frank (1999) Don't Call Me Marky Mark, Renaissance Books
  6. ^ mama man - homosexual
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