Gappy Ranks

Jacob Lee Williams (born c.1983), better known as Gappy Ranks, is an English dancehall musician of Jamaican and Dominican origin, from Harlesden, London.

Career

Born in Harlesden to a Jamaican father and Dominican mother, he dealt with numerous obstacles including homelessness after leaving school. Once he overcame these issues he joined up with childhood friend and fellow artist Redmann (UK), and was enlisted into the UK dancehall collective Suncycle, along with local artists such as Cash Money, Lady Chann and Naff Skrilla. Their first album titled Suncyle included Ranks' homage to his home town, "Harlesden". Their second album I Am Somebody was released on the UK label Jamdown Records. Ranks left the group in 2004 and began his solo career.

Nicknamed 'Gappy' due to the gap between his front teeth, he initially worked under the name 'Daddy Gappy', before opting for the Cutty Ranks-influenced 'Gappy Ranks'. In 2005 Gappy Ranks was featured on the Vice law entertainment mix tapes. That same year, he won the 'Best Song' award at London's Silk Awards for "Little Understanding", released by UK reggae record label Stingray Records. Also in 2005, Ranks contributed to the single "What We Do" by Kray Twinz featuring Twista and Lethal B, which charted nationally in the UK at number 23. Ranks performed live at Earl's Court in front of a crowd of 17,000 for the first Kiss 100 awards. He also played a full UK tour which brought him to cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle. He recorded for former UK reggae giants Jet Star Records in north west London where he became assistant engineer, giving him time to grow and develop his love for music and network which led him to work with record label Peckings.