- published: 25 Oct 2009
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Super Cat (born William Maragh in Kingston, Jamaica, 25 June 1963) is a deejay most popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s dancehall movement. Super Cat was born in Jamaica and was nicknamed Wild Apache. His nickname, the "Wild Apache" was given to him by his mentor Early B. He is the elder brother of reggae star Junior Cat.
Born to an African-Jamaican mother and a Jamaican father of Indian descent, Super Cat was raised in Kingston's tough Seivright Gardens neighborhood, then known as Cockburn Pen, home to ground-breaking deejays like Prince Jazzbo and U-Roy. By the time he was seven years old, he was hanging out at a local club called Bamboo Lawn, assisting the crew of the Soul Imperial sound system. He auditioned for Joe Gibbs as a singer but was unsuccessful.
He began appearing as a deejay under the name Cat-A-Rock, but soon switched to the name Super Cat. He also appeared as 'Wild Apache'. His first single, the Winston Riley-produced "Mr. Walker", was released in 1981, giving him some success, and he went on to record for Jah Thomas ("Walkathon", on which he was billed as 'Super Cat the Indian'), but his career was interrupted by a spell in prison. After his release he began working with Early B on the Killamanjaro sound system in 1984, and his debut album, Si Boops Deh!, was released in the mid-1980s, and included the hit singles "Boops" (which was based on Steely & Clevie's updated "Feel Like Jumping" rhythm and sparked a craze for songs about sugar daddies), and "Cry Fi De Youth", establishing his style of dancehall with conscious lyrics.
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.
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.