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Shabba Ranks (born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon; January 17, 1966, Sturgetown, St. Ann, Jamaica) is a Jamaican dancehall musician.

He was one of the most popular 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' di riddim". His gravel toned, rough-sounding voice made him instantly recognized worldwide.

Biography and music career[link]

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 Jamaicans including reggae singers Cocoa Tea and Crystal. Ranks also worked with Chuck Berry and America rappers KRS-One and Chubb Rock.

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.^[1]

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 the reggae fusion smash "Mr. Loverman" (memorable for bringing the cry "Shabba!" to the music world). Other tracks include "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailer Load A Girls", "Wicked inna 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, he won two Grammy Awards for previous work, and Epic went on to release a 'Greatest Hits' album, entitled Shabba Ranks and Friends in 1999.

Recent news[link]

Today, Ranks lives in New York City. Ranks made a partial comeback in 2007 when he appeared on a song called "Clear The Air" by Busta Rhymes, which also features Akon.

Shabba released a single on Big Ship's Pepper Riddim called "None A Dem", in April 2011.

Controversy[link]

In 1992, during an appearance on Channel Four music show The Word, he quoted the verse from the Bible condemning homosexuals, and was subsequently condemned for his comments by presenter Mark Lamarr who said that what Shabba was saying was "absolute crap".^[4] Anti-homosexual lyrics are present in a number of Shabba Ranks songs, including "No Mama Man" and "Wicked inna bed".

Discography[link]

Singles[link]

• 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.
• 1991 "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.

Albums[link]

• 1989 Best Baby Father Produced by King Jammy.
• 1989 Holding On - by Home T, Cocoa Tea & Shabba Ranks Produced by Augustus "Gussie" Clarke.
• 1990 Rappin' With the Ladies Produced by Augustus "Gussie" Clarke.
• 1990 Just Reality Produced by Bobby "Digital B" Dixon.
• 1990 Golden Touch Produced by Mikey Bennett & Patrick Lindsey (Two Friends Label).
• 1991 As Raw As Ever Produced by Multiple producers incl Steelie & Clevie, "Bobby Digital B" Dixon, Mikey Bennett (Two Friends Label) & others - UK Number 51.
• 1991/1992 Mr. Maximum Produced by Augustus "Gussie" Clarke (tracks: 2-12) / Track 1 Produced by Maxi Priest - Additional production: Mikey Bennett (Two Friends Label) - New and re-issues/remixes of previous material.
• 1992 Rough And Ready Volume 1 Multiple producers - New and re-issues of previous material - UK Number 71.
• 1992 X-tra Naked Produced by Multiple producers incl Steelie & Clevie, Bobby "Digital B" Dixon & others - UK Number 38.
• 1993 Rough And Ready Volume 2 Multiple producers - New and re-issues of previous material.
• 1995 A Mi Shabba Produced by Multiple producers incl Bobby "Digital B" Dixon.
• 1998 Get Up Stand Up Produced by King Jammy.
• 1999 Shabba Ranks And Friends Multiple producers - Remakes and re-issues of previous material.

Videos and DVDs[link]

• 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

References in other media[link]

The "Mr. Loverman" video was parodied on the satirical ITV1 puppet show Spitting Image and by Marlon Wayans of In Living Color (an American comedy television series) in a video called "Mr. Uglyman,"^[5] 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!". Will Smith also says "Shabba!" during two episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

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

External links[link]

• Shabba Ranks biography at the AMG website
• Shabba Ranks at Rolling stone.com

References[link]

• Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
• Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Shabba Ranks

Maxi Priest
Priest performing in January 2011
Background information
Birth name	Max Alfred Elliott
Born	(1961-06-10) 10 June 1961 (age 51) Lewisham, London, England[1]
Genres	Reggae, Reggae fusion, Lovers rock
Occupations	Singer, Songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1982-present
Labels	Charisma Virgin EMI
Associated acts	UB40
Website	maxipriest.com

Max Alfred "Maxi" Elliot (born 10 June 1961) is a British reggae vocalist of Jamaican descent. He is best known for singing reggae music with a R&B influence, otherwise known as reggae fusion, and became one of the first international successes who regularly dabbled in the genre as well as being one of the most successful reggae fusion acts of all-time.^[2]

Career[link]

Maxi Priest was born in Lewisham, London. His parents moved to England from Jamaica to provide more opportunity for their family and he grew up listening to gospel, reggae, R&B, and pop music. His music is sometimes closer to R&B, and pop, than to reggae music itself. His cousin, Jacob Miller, a reggae icon, was the frontman in the popular reggae group Inner Circle. Priest has two sons, Ryan and Marvin. Ryan was a member of the boy band Ultimate Kaos in the 1990s. Marvin is also a singer and currently lives in Australia. He released his breakthrough debut single "Own This Club" on 25 February 2011 which peaked at #6 in Australia and was certified double platinum.

Priest's musical career began with him singing on the South London reggae soundsystem Saxon Studio International, after which some independent single releases followed. His first major album was the self-titled Maxi Priest (1988) which, along with his cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World", established him as one of the top British reggae singers.

He is one of only two British reggae acts (along with UB40) to have an American Billboard number one: "Close to You" in 1990. A duet with Roberta Flack, "Set the Night to Music", reached the American Top Ten in 1991. His duet with Shaggy in 1996, "That Girl", was also a hit in the United States, peaking at number twenty.

In the latter half of his recording career, Priest has favoured working alongside other artists, both established and up-and-coming. He has worked with Sly & Robbie, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Jazzie B, Apache Indian, Roberta Flack, Shurwayne Winchester, Shabba Ranks and Lee Ritenour.

It was reported in some newspapers in the Birmingham area, including the Birmingham Mail on 13 March 2008, that Priest would be replacing Ali Campbell as the new lead singer of UB40, and that he had recorded a cover of Bob Marley’s "I Shot the Sheriff" with the band, based on information from "an unnamed source close to the band." Priest had joined UB40 on tour in 2007, culminating in sell out shows at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Solihull in December.^[3][4] Another local newspaper, the Express & Star that had reported that Priest would be the new UB40 frontman, included a statement from band spokesman Gerard Franklyn which contradicted the claim, stating "Maxi is collaborating with the band to record material but he won't be the new lead singer, that will be Duncan Campbell, the brother of Ali and Robin Campbell. He will only be appearing with them for this new recording."^[5]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Intentions (1986) #96 UK
• Maxi Priest (1988) #108 US; #25 UK
• Bonafide (1990) #47 U.S.; #11 UK
• Fe Real (1992) #191 U.S.; #60 UK
• Man with the Fun (1996) #108 US
• CombiNation (1999)
• 2 the Max (2005)
• Refused (2007)^[6]

Compilations[link]

• Best of Me (1991) #23 UK
• Collection (2000)^[6]

Singles[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Maxi Priest on Myspace
• Fansite
• Maxi Priest at Wenig-LaMonica Associates

Ewart Everton Brown (born 31 March 1968), better known by his stage name of Mad Cobra or simply Cobra is a Jamaican reggae musician.^[1][2]

Biography[link]

He was born in Kingston, Jamaica, raised in the parish of St. Mary and relocated back to the place of his birth during his teenage years.^[1] He began performing under his stage name, taken from a character in the G.I. Joe comic books, while still in his teens.^[2] He honed his talents on several local sound systems before entring the studio.^[2] His first single, 1989's "Respect Woman", was produced by his uncle, Tuff Gong engineer Delroy "Spiderman" Thompson.^[1][3] His next single, "Na Go Work", featured Tricia McKay, giving him his first hit,^[2] and bringing him to the attention of producers Captain Sinbad and Carl Nelson. Together they released a string of hit dancehall singles, including "Shoot to Kill", "Merciless Bad Boy", and "Ze Taurus", which featured tough, gangsta rap-style lyrics in keeping with the current trends of that time.^[2]

In 1990, Cobra began working with producer Donovan Germain and songwriter Dave Kelly on the Penthouse Records label.^[1] This partnership spawned a series of major hits in Jamaica, including "Yush", "Gundelero", "Bad Boy Talk", and "Feeling Lonely" (with Beres Hammond). He released his first full-length album in 1991, entitled Bad Boy Talk,^[2] and over the next year worked with several different producers on yet more hit tracks ("O.P.P" with King Jammy, "Tek Him" with Bobby Digital, "Be Patient" with Sly & Robbie). In 1991 and 1992, Mad Cobra broke into the UK Reggae charts with five number one hits,^[2] bringing with it a backlash over concerns about the anti-gay sentiments of tracks such as "Crucifixion".^[1]

In the wake of his British success, Mad Cobra signed a deal in America with Columbia Records.^[1] His next LP was entitled Hard to Wet, Easy to Dry, and featured "Flex", a single which interpolated elements of The Temptations' "Just My Imagination".^[1] It was a smash hit, topping the US Rap Singles chart, hitting #7 on the R&B chart, and peaking at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of the single propelled the album to #125 on the Billboard Top 200, but the follow-up, "Legacy", failed to chart, and for the next several years Cobra's hitmaking remained primarily in Jamaica with songs such as 1993's "Mek Noise" and "Matti Haffie Move". Around this time, Cobra became involved in rivalries with fellow reggae artists Ninjaman and Buju Banton. He also made a guest appearance on rap group Run-D.M.C.'s "What's Next" on their album Down with the King.

In 1994, Cobra returned with Venom, again recording with King Jammy. Jamaican hit singles from the 1994-1995 period included "Length and Bend", "Fat and Buff", and "Selassie I Rules", now adopting "conscious" lyrics.^[2] In 1996, Columbia Records released Milkman in the US market. The album peaked at #12 on Billboard's Top Reggae Albums chart and featured a minor hit, "Big Long John", which charted briefly on the US Dance and R&B Singles charts. In 1998, a track with Mr. Vegas entitled "Guns High" charted in some countries in Europe, and a number of re-releases of his Jamaican material were issued on VP. Further albums were issued in 2001 (Cobra) and 2004 (Words of Warning). Most recently, Cobra was heard on "Cobrastyle", a single from Teddybears' 2006 album, Soft Machine.

On the night of 11 May 2010, Mad Cobra was shot three times in the upper body near his home in Braeton, only a day after another dancehall artist, Oneil Edwards of the group Voice Mail, was also shot in Duhaney Park. He was carried to the Spanish Town Hospital for treatment.^[4] It was later ascertained that the vehicle Mad Cobra was traveling in had shone its light on a group of men and this had angered them. When Mad Cobra came out to appease the men, he was shot.^[5] He was released from hospital later that week. On the following Monday night, his house was shot up by unknown assailants but no one was injured during the incident.^[6]

Discography[link]

• Ex-clusive (Charm, 1991)
• Bad Boy Talk (Penthouse Records, 1991)
• Spotlight (Top Rank, 1992)
• Bad Boy Talk (Penthouse, 1992)
• Merciless Bad Boy (Sinbad, 1992)
• Hard to Wet, Easy to Dry (Columbia Records, 1992)
• Goldmine (RAS Records, 1993)
• Mister Pleasure (VP Records, 1994)
• Venom (Greensleeves Records, 1994)
• Step Aside (VP, 1994)
• Your Wish (Culture Press, 1994)
• Exclusive Decision (VP Records, 1996)
• Sexperience (Critique Records, 1996)
• Playaz in Paradise (New Quest, 1996)
• Milkman (Capitol Records, 1996)
• OK Ride On (EMI, 1999)
• Cobra (Artists Only Records, 2001)
• Exclusive (Charm, 2003)
• Words of Warning (Heartbeat Records, 2004)

References[link]

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2010)

Cocoa Tea(born Calvin George Scott, September 3, 1959, Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae/dancehall singer, songwriter, and DJ.^[1]

Biography[link]

Cocoa Tea was popular in Jamaica in from 1985, but has become successful worldwide only since the 1990s. One of his most famous songs is "Rikers Island", which was later put into a dub version by Nardo Ranks entitled "Me No Like Rikers Island" (featured on Dancehall Reggaespanol) which was released the same year as the original "Rikers Island". He also gained fame with the song "Young Lover". He gained notoriety in March 2008 after releasing a song titled "Barack Obama" in support of the US Presidential candidate by the same name. Cocoa Tea's song "Jah Made Them That Way" from his 1984 album Rocking Dolly interpolates "Human Nature" by Michael Jackson and "Answer Mi Question" by Dillinger.

Partial discography[link]

• 2008. "Yes We Can". Roaring Lion Records
• 2007. "Biological Warfare". Minor 7 Flat Five
• 2006. Save Us Oh Jah. V.P. Records.
• 1997. Holy Mount Zion. Motown.
• 1997. RAS Portraits. Ras.
• 1996. Israel's King. V.P. Records.
• 1992. Can't Stop Cocoa Tea. V.P. Records.
• 1992. Kingston Hot. Ras.
• 1991. Riker's Island V.P. Records.
• 1986. Showdown Vol 8 (Frankie Paul & Cocoa Tea).Hitbound
• 1985. Israel Vibration Meets Cocoa Tea
• 1985. I Lost My Sonia. Volcano
• 1985. Mr. Coco Tea. Corner Stone
• 1985. Settle Down. Corner Stone
• 1985. Sweet Sweet Coco Tea. Blue Mountain
• 1985. The Marshall. Jammys
• 1985. Clash (Tenor Saw & Cocoa Tea). Hawkeye
• 1984. Rocking Dolly. RAS
• 1984. Weh Dem A Go Do. Volcano
• 1983-2006 Reggae Anthology. 17 North Parade
• 198X. Corner Stone Presents Clash Of The 80's (Cocoa Tea & Barrington Levy). Corner Stone

References[link]

External links[link]

• Cocoa Tea's Original Dancehall Jam Jam, Official Website of Cocoa Tea & Original Dancehall Jam Jam
• Cocoa Tea, Artists Only! Records
• Barack Obama by Coco Tea