Cutty Ranks is a Jamaican dancehall and reggae artist, born Philip Thomas in Clarendon, Jamaica, in 1965. He takes his stage name from work he does as a butcher. He begins performing at 14 on Jamaican sound systems, including Gemini, Rebel Tone and Papa Roots, and his early style is influenced by Josey Wales.

Career

Cutty Ranks joins the Killamanjaro sound system, performing alongside Early B, Super Cat, Puddy Roots and Little Twitch. In the mid to late 1980s, he builds wider recognition on SturMars and Metromedia, where he works with selectors Danny Dread and Skyjuice.

Recordings and albums

His first single, “Gunman Lyrics,” is recorded in the 1980s for Winston Riley’s Techniques label. He also records “Out Of Hand” and “Fishman Lyrics” with Riley. In 1990, he joins Donovan Germain’s Penthouse label. His first album, The Stopper, appears in 1991, followed in the same year by Lethal Weapon, which includes singers such as Marcia Griffiths, Dennis Brown, Wayne Wonder and Beres Hammond. Later releases include From Mi Heart, Six Million Ways to Die and Back With A Vengeance. Six Million Ways to Die comes out on Priority Records and includes a hip hop remix of “A Who Seh Me Dun,” a song that is first voiced over the Bam Bam riddim in 1992. Back With A Vengeance, produced by King Jammy, appears after that and extends into hip hop as well as dancehall. His discography also includes Retreat and Hard For It.

Influence and collaborations

Cutty Ranks has influence beyond dancehall, especially in drum and bass. His vocals are frequently sampled, and his songs are remixed by artists including Goldie and DJ Skratch Bastid with Scratch of The Roots.