Shabba Ranks is a Jamaican dancehall deejay and recording artist from Sturge Town, Jamaica. Born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon in 1966, he develops his reputation through deejaying rather than conventional singing and becomes one of the best-known dancehall performers of his era.

Career

Shabba Ranks begins on the King Jammys Superpower sound system in Jamaica and rises to prominence in the late 1980s, gaining attention on both Jamaican and international stages. His work includes collaborations with a wide range of artists, among them British vocalist Maxi Priest; reggae singers Cocoa Tea, Crystal and Mykal Rose; R&B singer Johnny Gill; and the American artists Chuck Berry, KRS-One and Chubb Rock.

Recordings and songs

His best-known international hit is “Mr. Loverman”. Other tracks associated with him include “Respect”, “Pirates Anthem”, “Trailor Load A Girls”, “Wicked in Bed”, “Caan Dun” and “Ting A Ling”. “Wicked in Bed” also features in the K-JAH Radio West station in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Awards and later reputation

Shabba Ranks wins back-to-back Grammy Awards in the reggae category in 1991 and 1992, becoming the first dancehall deejay to do so. His later career is affected by widely criticised homophobic remarks and lyrics, including comments made during an appearance on Channel 4’s The Word. He is later dropped by Epic Records in 1996.