Philip Thomas (born 12 February 1965), better known as Cutty Ranks, is a Jamaican

dancehall Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially, dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s.Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004) "The Rou ...

singer.

Biography

Thomas was born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica in 1965. He began his career as a reggae artist at the age of eleven with local sound systems, going on to work with the

Gemini Gemini may refer to: Space * Gemini (constellation), one of the constellations of the zodiac ** Gemini in Chinese astronomy * Project Gemini, the second U.S. crewed spaceflight program * Gemini Observatory, consisting of telescopes in the Northern ...

sound system, before moving on to work with

Tony Rebel Patrick George Anthony Barrett (born 15 January 1962), better known by his stage name Tony Rebel, is a Jamaican reggae deejay. Career Born in Manchester Parish, Jamaica, Barrett was initially a singer, appearing as Papa Tony or Tony Ranking in ...

's Rebel Tone and Papa Roots, and later working with Stereo Mars, Arrows and Metro Media. He joined

Killamanjaro Founded in the summer of 1969, Killamanjaro is a Jamaican sound system best known for their clashes and large amount of classic reggae dubplates. It is owned by Noel "Papa Jaro" Harper and named after Mount Kilimanjaro. The name was changed ...

where he worked alongside

Early B Earlando Arrington Neil, better known by his stage name Early B, was an early dancehall and reggae deejay whose lyrics had a cultural bent, noted mainly in his hits ''Visit of King Selassie'', ''History of Jamaica'' and ''Wheely Wheely'', the ...

Super Cat William Anthony Maragh (born 25 June 1963),Huey, Steve " Super Cat Biography, Allmusic, retrieved 18 July 2010 also known as Super Cat, is a Jamaican deejay who achieved widespread popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s dancehall mo ...

, Puddy Roots, and Little Twitch, and then Sturmars where he worked with Josey Wales,

Nicodemus Nicodemus (; grc-gre, Νικόδημος, Nikódēmos) was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin mentioned in three places in the Gospel of John: * He first visits Jesus one night to discuss Jesus' teachings (). * The second time Nicodem ...

U Brown Huford Brown (born 8 June 1956, Kingston, Jamaica), better known by the stage name U Brown, is a reggae deejay who released eleven albums between 1976 and 1984. Biography Brown grew up in Bond Street in Kingston, living two doors away from Du ...

and

Yami Bolo Rolando Ephraim McLean (born 1 October 1970), better known as Yami Bolo, is a Jamaican reggae singer. Biography Yami Bolo grew up in postal zone 13 of Kingston. His first professional job and exposure was with Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion C ...

. His first job on leaving school was as a butcher. During the eighties, Ranks moved on to the Arrows sound system and his 1986 debut single "Gunman Lyrics" was recorded for

Winston Riley Winston Riley (14 May 1943 – 19 January 2012) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter and record producer. The ''Jamaica Gleaner'' notes he was one of the most successful reggae producers.

's Techniques label. He also recorded such tracks as "Out of Hand" and "Fishman Lyrics" with Riley and after spending some time in Miami working with

and

, he worked with Patrick Roberts' Shocking Vibes label, releasing the single "The Bomber". In 1990, he joined Donovan Germain's Penthouse label, enjoying a hit with "Pon Mi Nozzle". Ranks came to the attention of London-based

Fashion Records Fashion Records is a UK-based record label, publishing reggae music. Founded in summer 1980, Fashion Records is one of the more successful UK-based reggae labels, and one of only a few British reggae labels to release records that were produ ...

, and in 1991 he released "The Stopper" and a debut album of the same name for Fashion, following this up with the album ''Lethal Weapon'' in the same year for Penthouse, featuring singers such as

Marcia Griffiths Marcia Llyneth Griffiths (born 23 November 1949) is a Jamaican singer. One reviewer described her by noting "she is known primarily for her strong, smooth-as-mousse love songs and captivating live performances". Biography Born in West Kingst ...

Dennis Brown Dennis Emmanuel Brown CD (1 February 1957 – 1 July 1999) was a Jamaican reggae singer. During his prolific career, which began in the late 1960s when he was aged eleven, he recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the major stars of l ...

Wayne Wonder Von Wayne Charles (born 26 July 1972), better known by his stage name Wayne Wonder, is a Jamaican reggae artist. While his early recordings were dancehall and reggae, he later moved towards hip hop and rap. His most popular single is the 2003 ...

and

Beres Hammond Beres Hammond Order of Jamaica, OJ (born Hugh Beresford Hammond; 28 August 1955, in Annotto Bay, Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica, Saint Mary, Jamaica)Moskowitz, David V. (2006) ''Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock St ...

. His follow-up albums ''From Mi Heart'' and ''Six Million Ways to Die'' were released on

Priority Records Priority Records is an American distribution company and record label known for artists including N.W.A, Ice-T, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Big L, Silkk the Shocker and Westside Connection. It also distributed hip hop record labels including Death Row R ...

in 1996. ''Six Million Ways to Die'' included a hip hop

remix A remix (or reorchestration) is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, book, video, poem, or photograph can all be remixes. The o ...

of Ranks' song "A Who Seh Me Dun" which was voiced earlier over the Bam Bam

riddim Riddim is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word "rhythm". In the context of reggae and dancehall, it refers to the instrumental accompaniment to a song and is synonymous with the rhythm section. Jamaican music genres that use the ...

in 1992. In 2000, he released the album ''Back with a Vengeance'' produced by

King Jammy Lloyd James (born 26 October 1947),Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter: "Reggae: The Rough Guide", 1997, Rough Guides, better known as Prince Jammy or King Jammy, is a Jamaican dub mixer and record producer. He began his musical career as a dub ma ...

. This album saw Ranks venture into other musical styles, including hip hop and

. He now releases music on his own Philip Music label. He has rejected the '

slackness Slackness refers to vulgarity in West Indian culture, behavior, and music. It also refers to a subgenre of dancehall music with straightforward sexual lyrics performed live or recorded. Its form and pronunciation varies throughout the Caribbean. ...

' of modern dancehall in favour of more 'cultural' concerns. In 2012, he released the album ''Full Blast'', featuring guest appearances from

, Luciano, and

Gwen Guthrie Gwendolyn Guthrie (July 9, 1950 – February 3, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter and pianist who also sang backing vocals for Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Peter Tosh, and Madonna, among others, and who wrote songs made fa ...

. In 2013, he featured on

2 Chainz Tauheed K. Epps (born September 12, 1977), known professionally as 2 Chainz (or Tity Boi), is an American rapper. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, he initially gained recognition as one-half of the Southern hip hop duo Playaz Circle, al ...

's "Slums of the Ghetto" and a remix of T.RONE's "Hello Love". In 2018, his vocals were featured on

El Chombo Rodney Sebastian Clark Donalds (born November 27, 1969), better known by his stage name El Chombo,In Panama, ''Chombo'' refers to a black person but is generally a derogatory term. is a Panamanian reggaeton artist and producer. He is best known f ...

reggaeton Reggaeton (, ), also known as reggaetón and reguetón (), is a music style that originated in Panama during the late 1980s. It was later popularized in Puerto Rico. It has evolved from dancehall and has been influenced by American Hip hop m ...

song "

Dame Tu Cosita "Dame Tu Cosita" (, lit. "''Give me your little thing''" or "''give me your thingy''") is a song by Panamanian artist El Chombo, featuring Jamaican dancehall musician Cutty Ranks. It was originally recorded in 1997, but extended and released as a ...

", which was originally released in 1997 in short form on the album ''Cuentos de la Cripta 2'', titled "Introducción B (El Cosita Mix)" which features Ranks' sampled vocals from the track "Kill Them Out". In 2020, he contributed vocals to the

Run the Jewels Run the Jewels, also known by the initials RTJ, is an American hip hop super-duo composed of Brooklyn-based rapper and producer El-P and Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike. They released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut studio album ...

song "Holy Calamafuck" from their album ''

Run the Jewels 4 ''RTJ4'' is the fourth studio album by American Hip hop music, hip hop duo Run the Jewels. It was released digitally through their own Jewel Runners imprint via BMG Rights Management on June 3, 2020, two days earlier than scheduled, with physical ...

''.

Discography

Albums

*1991: ''The Stopper'' (

Fashion Fashion is a form of self-expression and autonomy at a particular period and place and in a specific context, of clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and body posture. The term implies a look defined by the fashion in ...

) (

Profile Profile or profiles may refer to: Art, entertainment and media Music * ''Profile'' (Jan Akkerman album), 1973 * ''Profile'' (Githead album), 2005 * ''Profile'' (Pat Donohue album), 2005 * ''Profile'' (Duke Pearson album), 1959 * '' ''Profi ...

/Arista/BMG S *1991: ''Lethal Weapon'' (Penthouse) *1991: ''Retreat'' ( VP) *1992: ''From Mi Heart'' ( Shanachie) *1996: ''Six Million Ways to Die'' ( Priority/

EMI EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At the time of its break-up in 201 ...

) *2001: ''Back with a Vengeance'' (Artists Only!) *2005: ''Hard for It'' (Wallboomers) *2012: ''Full Blast'' (Philip Music)

Compilations

*2008: ''Limb By Limb – Reggae Anthology'' (VP)

Collaborations/split albums

*1991: ''Another One for the Road'' (

Greensleeves "Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song. A broadside ballad by the name "A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves" was registered by Richard Jones at the London Stationer's Company in September 1580,Frank Kidson, ''English Fol ...

) – with

Cocoa Tea Calvin George Scott (born 3 September 1959), better known as Cocoa Tea, is a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter. Biography Born in Rocky Point, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, Cocoa Tea was popular in Jamaica from 1985, but has become success ...

and Home T *1991: ''Die Hard (Volumes 1 & 2)'' (Penthouse) – with

*1991: ''20 Man Dead'' (Charm) – with Tony Rebel *1995: ''Rumble in the Jungle, Vol. 2'' (Fashion) – with Poison Chang *2020: " Shiny Collarbone" (

Dirty Hit Dirty Hit is a British independent record label founded in December 2009 by Jamie Oborne, Brian Smith, and former England footballer, Ugo Ehiogu. It is currently based in West London, England. Their releases are distributed to digital platforms ...

) – with

The 1975 The 1975 are an English pop rock band formed in 2002 in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Now based in Manchester, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matthew "Matty" Healy, lead guitarist Adam Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, and drummer G ...

*2020: " Holy Calamafuck" (Jewel Runners) – with

Singles

;1980s *1986: "Gun Man Lyrics" *1986: "Greedy Girl" *1986: "Christmas Time" *1987: "Red Eye Business" *1987: "Boom Shot" *1989: "Kill Them Out" *1989: "Live Up" ;1990s *1990: "Love Me Have to Get" (with

) *1990: "Russia and America" *1990: "Gang War" (with

) *1990: "Retreat" *1990: "Sound Bwoy Retreat" *1990: "The Bommer" *1990: "Stick It Up" *1990: "The Stopper" *1990: "Cool Down" *1990: "Big and Rough" *1990: "Come Better" *1990: "The Loving Boom" (with

Barry Boom Barry Boom (born Paul Robinson) is a reggae singer and record producer from London. Paul Robinson was a member of the reggae group One Blood in the 1980s along with his brothers Errol, Jerry, Ewan & Trevor until the group broke up after Errol's d ...

) *1990: "Money Talk" *1990: "Business Talk" *1991: "Wait on Love" (with

Leroy Smart Leroy Smart (born 1952), is a reggae singer-songwriter and record producer from Kingston, Jamaica. Biography Smart was born in 1952 and orphaned at the age of two. He was raised at Maxfield Park Children's Home and educated at Alpha Boys Scho ...

) *1991: "Original Ranks" *1991: "Lambada" (with

) *1991: "Fi Fe Fi Fo Fum" (with

Tiger The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus '' Panthera''. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily preys on u ...

) *1991: "Dominate" *1991: "Original Loving" (with

) *1991: "The Going Is Rough" (with Home T and Cocoa Tea) *1991: "Money Money" *1991: "Really Together" (with

) *1991: "Dance Hall Rock" (with

Barrington Levy Barrington Ainsworth Levy (born 30 April 1964) is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist. Career Levy was born in Clarendon, Jamaica. He formed a band called the Mighty Multitude, with his cousin, Everton Dacres; the pair released "My Blac ...

) *1991: "Half Idiot" (with Marcia Griffiths) *1991: "One Man Something" (with Tiger) *1991: "Gimme Yu Lovin" (with George Banton) *1991: "Come with Me" (with

Frankie Paul Paul Blake (19 October 1965 – 18 May 2017), better known as Frankie Paul, was a Jamaican dancehall reggae artist. Born blind, he has been dubbed by some 'The Jamaican Stevie Wonder'. Biography Born in Jamaica in 1965, Blake was born blind bu ...

, Trevor Sparks & Yellow Bird) *1991: "Another One for the Road" (with Home T and Cocoa Tea) *1991: "Grudgeful" *1991: "Bring It Back" (with

Brian & Tony Gold Brian and Tony Gold are a Jamaican reggae duo from Portmore, St. Catherine, Jamaica.Johnson, Richard (2018)Introducing Anu Brian Gold, '' Jamaica Gleaner'', 30 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018 History Contrary to many beliefs, Brian ...

) *1991: "Move Off" *1991: "Love Is Not Simple" (with

Ken Boothe Kenneth George Boothe OD (born 22 March 1948) is a Jamaican vocalist known for his distinctive vibrato and timbre. Boothe achieved an international reputation as one of Jamaica's finest vocalists through a series of crossover hits that appeal ...

) *1991: "Love Mi Hafi Get" *1991: "Move Up" *1992: "Roses Are Red" *1992: "The System" *1992: "A Who Seh Me Dun" *1992: "Leave People Man" *1992: "Wealth" *1992: "Pon Pause" *1992: "Living Condition" *1992: "Truth & Right" *1992: "Disappear" *1992: "Legal Thief" (with Sanchez) *1992: "Clare" (with

Pliers Pliers are a hand tool used to hold objects firmly, possibly developed from tongs used to handle hot metal in Bronze Age Europe. They are also useful for bending and physically compressing a wide range of materials. Generally, pliers consist ...

) *1992: "Four Big Thief" *1993: "Soul Love" (with The Blessing) *1993: "Limb By Limb" *1993: "Everything Legit" *1993: "Home Training" *1993: "Rude Boy Rides Again" *1993: "As You See It" *1994: "Hustle Hustle" *1994: "String Dem Up" *1994: "Weh Dem a Watch We For" (with

General Levy Paul Scott Levy (born 28 April 1971), also known as General Levy, is an English ragga deejay, regularly employed on studio tracks by drum and bass DJs. He is best known for the track "Incredible" which he recorded with M-Beat. A remixed versio ...

) *1994: "Armed and Dangerous" *1994: "One Lick Off the Ball" *1995: "You Must'n Greedy" (with Barrington Levy) *1995: "Bad Police" *1995: "The Return" *1995: "Looking My Love" (with Barrington Levy) *1996: "Punk Fi Go Hide" *1996: "Rip and Run Off" (with Cocoa Tea) *1996: "My Woman" (with Barrington Levy) *1996: "Rude Boy Game" *1996: "Detrimental" *1996: "Blood on the Corner" *1996: "D.J. Line Up" *1996: "Bush Tonic" *1997: "Get Warm" (with Frankie Paul) *1997: "Lyrical War" *1997: "Take You Out" (with Cocoa Tea) *1998: "Get Away Driver" *1998: "Big Machine" *1998: "Set You Free" (with

Singing Melody Everton Hardweare (born 23 November 1967), better known by his stage name Singing Melody, is a reggae artist from Kingston, Jamaica. He is known for his abilities as a vocalist, his production work and for combining aspects of reggae and R&B ...

) *1998: "Me Nah Backdown" *1998: "Personal Experience" *1998: "Healing of the Nation" *1998: "Peace Treaty" *1998: "Wuk Dem Hard" *1998: "Guiltyness" (with

Edi Fitzroy Fitzroy Edwards (17 November 1955 – 4 March 2017), better known by his stage name Edi Fitzroy, was a Jamaican reggae singer, active from 1975 but best known for his work during the dancehall era. Early life Edwards was born on 17 November 1955 ...

) *1998: "No More Will I Roam" (with Dennis Brown) *1999: "Come Down" *1999: "Bun Dem" *1999: "Gal Banger" ;2000s ;2010s *2011: "Try Again" *2013: "Rebel for Life" (with Naâman) *2016: "Man a Lion" *2018: "My Town" *2018: "

" (with

) *2018: "Dame Tu Cosita" (Remix) (with

Pitbull Pit bull is a term used in the United States for a type of dog descended from bulldogs and terriers, while in other countries such as the United Kingdom the term is used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. The term was f ...

and

Karol G Carolina Giraldo Navarro (born 14 February 1991), known professionally as Karol G (stylized in all caps), is a Colombians, Colombian singer and songwriter. She is predominantly described as a reggaeton and Latin trap artist, but has experimente ...

)

References

External links

Discography at Discogs
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ranks, Cutty 1965 births Jamaican dancehall musicians Living people Musicians from Kingston, Jamaica Priority Records artists Profile Records artists VP Records artists Shanachie Records artists