Buckey Ranks

Buckey Ranks is a Jamaican dancehall performer and producer from Sturge Town, Jamaica, born in 1966. He is also associated with drum and bass, jungle and pop. He grows up in Portland parish, Jamaica, where sound systems shape his early musical interests, before moving to Kingston and becoming part of the city’s dancehall scene.

Early career

In his early career, Buckey Ranks performs as a singjay with Jamaican sound systems including Mango, Small Axe, Killowatt and Youthman Promotions. This work establishes him in the local sound system culture and leads to wider opportunities outside Jamaica.

Work in the UK and stage roles

He later works with Denzil Williams, a UK producer and owner of the Exodus sound system. That collaboration brings tours in the UK, Europe, Canada and the USA. During this period he appears on stage with artistes including Buju Banton, Capleton and Sanchez. On one of his tours in England, he is offered one of his first acting roles in We The Raggamuffin, in which he plays the lead alongside Mickey General. The film wins two awards, including Best Short Movie, and the role leads to further stage work in London.

Production work

Buckey Ranks moves into writing and independent music production and works with a number of reggae artists, including Luciano, Mikey General, Gregory Isaacs, Bunny Lie Lie, Robert Lee, Tony Rebel and Mikey Dread. Under One Ranks Production, which operates through Tender Touch Records, he produces seven albums: Let It Grow, Buckey Ranks and Friends, The Journey, Sound Boy Killing Machine, Luciano and Veterans In Action, My Life - Bunny Lie Lie, Nothing But The Truth, and the follow-up Sound Boy Killing Machine chapter 2.

He also produces artistes such as Luciano, Mikey General, The Congos, The Jays, Prince Allah, Admiral Tibet, Ranking Trevor, King Everall, Bunny Lie Lie, Lone Ranger and Ernest Wilson.

Festival and touring activity

Buckey Ranks appears at the UK’s One Love Festival and takes part in the Jimmy Riley Contradiction Tour with Jimmy Riley and Owen Gray, which tours across the UK.