This #ThrowbackThursday, we’re heading back to the golden era of Dancehall with Shabba Ranks
Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon best known as Shabba Ranks was one of the most popular and the most influential Dancehall Deejays. He helped Dancehall music to cross the boundaries of the caribbean. He was such a phenomenon. He was the very first Dancehall artist to ever win a Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category.
With his remarkable flow and style, he caught the attention of Josey Wales. The latter introduced Shabba to some producers at King Jammy‘s studio where he recorded numerous singles. It’s only since the late 80’s, when he collaborated with producers like Bobby Digital and Steely & Cleevie that Shabba Ranks‘s popularity started growing.
Recording duets with artists such as Maxi Priest, KRS-ONE, Johnny Gill amongst others, propelled his career even higher. Shabba brought Dancehall onto a mainstream level with outbreaking hit singles such as “Trailor Load of Gyal”, “Mr Loverman”, “Ting-a-Ling” just to name a few. He made it up to the Top 5 in the R&B charts with “House Call” featuring Maxi Priest, “Mr Loverman”, “Slow & Sexy” and Hip Hop charts with “The Jam” featuring KRS-ONE.
In every era, the Dancehall arena had his ruler… could Shabba Ranks be the best of all time?
Even though Shabba Ranks has been quiet for a while now, he has not been forgotten by his fans and the whole Reggae Dancehall community. Actually, he’s still out there recording from time to time. Earlier this year, he released a brand-new single on the “Greatest Creation Riddim” produced by Shane Brown for Jukeboxx Production. For this #ThrowbackThursday, listen to some of Shabba‘s biggest hits selected by Jamworld876. Do not hesitate to share and comment. Let us know what is your favorite song by Shabba Ranks.
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