Cutty Ranks
Encyclopedia
Philip Thomas, better known as Cutty Ranks is a Jamaica
n reggae
and dancehall
artist.
in 1965. He began his career as a reggae artist at the age of 14 with the Gemini sound system, before moving on to work with Tony Rebel
's Rebel Tone and Papa Roots, and later working with Stereo Mars, Arrows and Metro Media. He joined Killamanjaro
where he worked alongside Early B
, Super Cat
, Puddy Roots, and Little Twitch, and then Sturmars where he worked with Josey Wales
, Nicodemus
, Super Cat
, U Brown
and Yami Bolo
. His first job on leaving school was as a butcher
.
During the 80s, Ranks moved on to the Arrows sound system and his debut single "Gunman Lyrics" was recorded for Winston Riley
'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 Super Cat
and Nicodemus
, 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
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
, Dennis Brown
, Wayne Wonder
and Beres Hammond
. His follow-up albums From Mi Heart and Six Million Ways to Die
were released on Priority Records
in 1996. Six Million Ways to Die included a hip hop
remix
of Ranks' song "A Who Seh Me Dun" which was voiced earlier over the Bam Bam riddim
in 1992. In 2000, he released the album Back With A Vengeance produced by King Jammy
. This album saw Ranks venture into other musical styles, including hip hop
and dancehall
. His song "Bomber" is considered a classic in Jamaica.
Cutty Ranks has been influential outside the world of dancehall, particularly in the field of drum 'n' bass and jungle
. His vocals have been frequently sampled and his songs remixed by artists such as Goldie
. The DJ SS remix of "Limb By Limb" appeared on Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted
in 1996, being blasted at volume by Father Fintan Stack, a belligerent and disagreeable priest that is drafted in to replace a then-retired Father Jack.
Collaborations, split albums:
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
and dancehall
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. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
artist.
Biography
Thomas was born in Kingston, JamaicaKingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
in 1965. He began his career as a reggae artist at the age of 14 with the Gemini sound system, before moving on to work with Tony Rebel
Tony Rebel
Tony Rebel is a Jamaican reggae deejay. He was initially a singer, appearing as Papa Tony or Tony Ranking in local talent contests and on sound systems including Sugar Minott's 'Youth Promotion'...
's Rebel Tone and Papa Roots, and later working with Stereo Mars, Arrows and Metro Media. He joined Killamanjaro
Killamanjaro
Founded in the summer of 1969, Killamanjaro is a Jamaican sound system best known for their clashes and large amount of classical reggae dubplates.It is owned by Noel "Papa Jaro" Harper and named after Mount Kilimanjaro...
where he worked alongside Early B
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 latter an ode to bicycle-riding in Jamaica.-Biography:Earlando was...
, Super Cat
Super Cat
Super Cat 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...
, Puddy Roots, and Little Twitch, and then Sturmars where he worked with Josey Wales
Josey Wales
Josey Wales, born Joseph Winston Sterling in St. Mary, Jamaica is an influential Jamaican dancehall deejay. He was considered, along with Brigadier Jerry, Yellowman and sound system partner Charlie Chaplin, one of the best deejays of the 1980s....
, Nicodemus
Nicodemus (musician)
Cecil Wellington , better known as Nicodemus, was a Jamaican reggae deejay who released a string of albums in the 1980s and 1990s.-Biography:...
, Super Cat
Super Cat
Super Cat 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...
, U Brown
U Brown
U Brown aka New Roy, Hugh Brown, Nuroy is a reggae deejay who released eleven albums between 1976 and 1984.-Biography:...
and Yami Bolo
Yami Bolo
Yami Bolo is a Jamaican reggae singer and performer.-Biography:Rolando Ephraim McLean, better known as Yami Bolo, is a Jamaican reggae singer, musician, artist, and performer. He was born on October 1, 1970 and grew up in Kingston 13...
. His first job on leaving school was as a butcher
Butcher
A butcher is a person who may slaughter animals, dress their flesh, sell their meat or any combination of these three tasks. They may prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments...
.
During the 80s, Ranks moved on to the Arrows sound system and his debut single "Gunman Lyrics" was recorded for Winston Riley
Winston Riley
Winston Riley worked as a songwriter and record producer of Jamaican music. According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Riley has a claim to being the most successful reggae producer of all-time.-Biography:...
'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 Super Cat
Super Cat
Super Cat 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...
and Nicodemus
Nicodemus
Saint Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, who, according to the Gospel of John, showed favour to Jesus...
, he worked with Patrick Roberts' Shocking Vibes label, releasing the single "The Bomber". In 1990 he joined Donovan Germain
Donovan Germain
Donovan Germain is a reggae producer, one of the most successful of the digital era.-Biography:Germain's entry into the music industry was via his record shop in New York City in the 1970s. He began production in 1972, visiting Jamaica for recording sessions, working in both roots reggae and...
's Penthouse label, enjoying a hit with "Pon Mi Nozzle".
Ranks came to the attention of London-based Fashion Records
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 very few British reggae labels to release records that were produced in their own recording studio.The label was the...
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 Griffiths
Marcia Llyneth Griffiths is a successful female singer, also called the "Queen of Reggae". One reviewer described her noting "she is known primarily for her strong, smooth-as-mousse love songs and captivating live performances".Griffiths started her career in 1964...
, Dennis Brown
Dennis Brown
Dennis Emmanuel Brown 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 lovers rock, a sub-genre of reggae...
, Wayne Wonder
Wayne Wonder
Wayne Wonder is a Jamaican reggae fusion artist...
and Beres Hammond
Beres Hammond
Beres Hammond is a reggae singer known in particular for his romantic lovers rock and soulful voice...
. His follow-up albums From Mi Heart and Six Million Ways to Die
Six Million Ways to Die
Six Million Ways To Die is an album by Cutty Ranks.-CD:#"The Return" - 3:48#"Hitman" - 4:06#"A Who Seh Me Dun " - 3:26#"Rude Bwoy Game" - 3:20#"Guiltiness" - 3:50#*Featuring - Eddie Fitzroy#"Time To Die" - 4:03...
were released on Priority Records
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
in 1996. Six Million Ways to Die included a hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of Ranks' song "A Who Seh Me Dun" which was voiced earlier over the Bam Bam riddim
Riddim
Riddim is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word "rhythm," but in dancehall/reggae parlance it refers to the instrumental accompaniment to a song. Thus, a dancehall song consists of the riddim plus the "voicing" sung by the deejay. The resulting song structure may be taken for...
in 1992. In 2000, he released the album Back With A Vengeance produced by King Jammy
King Jammy
Lloyd James , better known as Prince Jammy or King Jammy, is a dub mixer and record producer. He began his musical career as a dub master at King Tubby's recording studio...
. This album saw Ranks venture into other musical styles, including hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
and dancehall
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. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
. His song "Bomber" is considered a classic in Jamaica.
Cutty Ranks has been influential outside the world of dancehall, particularly in the field of drum 'n' bass and jungle
Oldschool jungle
Jungle is a genre of electronic music that incorporates influences from genres including breakbeat hardcore, and reggae/dub/dancehall. There is debate as to whether jungle is a separate genre from drum and bass as many use the terms interchangeably...
. His vocals have been frequently sampled and his songs remixed by artists such as Goldie
Goldie
Clifford Joseph Price, better known as Goldie is an English electronic music artist, disc jockey, visual artist and actor. He is well known for his innovations in the jungle and drum and bass music genres, having previously gained exposure for his work as a graffiti artist...
. The DJ SS remix of "Limb By Limb" appeared on Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted
Father Ted
Father Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
in 1996, being blasted at volume by Father Fintan Stack, a belligerent and disagreeable priest that is drafted in to replace a then-retired Father Jack.
Discography
- The Stopper (1991), FashionFashion RecordsFashion 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 very few British reggae labels to release records that were produced in their own recording studio.The label was the...
- Lethal Weapon (1991), Penthouse
- Retreat (1991), VPVP RecordsVP Records is an independent reggae record label, located in Queens, New York. It is best known for producing Caribbean singers.-The foundation:...
- From Mi Heart (1992), ShanachieShanachie RecordsShanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic...
- Six Million Ways to DieSix Million Ways to DieSix Million Ways To Die is an album by Cutty Ranks.-CD:#"The Return" - 3:48#"Hitman" - 4:06#"A Who Seh Me Dun " - 3:26#"Rude Bwoy Game" - 3:20#"Guiltiness" - 3:50#*Featuring - Eddie Fitzroy#"Time To Die" - 4:03...
(1996), PriorityPriority RecordsPriority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world... - Back with a VengeanceBack with a Vengeance-Track listing:#"Shake The Thing" - 3:58#"Eye For An Eye" - 3:59#"Vengeance" - 3:33#"Rule The World" - 3:44#"My Girl" - 4:05#"Live Like This" - 3:39#"Needs" - 3:35#"Slap" - 3:37#"Any Way Any How" - 3:43#"Tell Me" - 3:57#"No More Will I Roam" - 3:29...
(2001), Artists Only! - Hard for ItHard for ItHard For It is an album by Cutty Ranks. The song "20 Inch" was recorded in several versions, including a version with vocals by Master P.-Track listing:#"Talli Talli "#*feat. Kobra Khan#"What Dem Fighting For"#"Dirty Mind"#"Hard For It"...
(2005), Wallboomers - Limb By Limb - Reggae Anthology (2008), VP
Collaborations, split albums:
- Another One for the Road (1991), GreensleevesGreensleeves RecordsGreensleeves Records & Publishing is a record label specialising in dancehall and reggae music. The company was founded by Chris Cracknell and Chris Sedgwick and started as a small record store in West Ealing, London, in November 1975 and is based in Britain....
- with Cocoa TeaCocoa TeaCocoa Tea is a Jamaican reggae/dancehall singer, songwriter, and DJ.- Biography :Cocoa Tea was popular in Jamaica from 1985, but has become successful worldwide only since the 1990s...
and Home T - Die Hard (Volumes 1 & 2) (1991), Penthouse - with Tony RebelTony RebelTony Rebel is a Jamaican reggae deejay. He was initially a singer, appearing as Papa Tony or Tony Ranking in local talent contests and on sound systems including Sugar Minott's 'Youth Promotion'...
- 20 Man Dead (1991), Charm - with Tony Rebel
- Rumble in the Jungle, Vol. 2 (1995), Fashion - with Poison Chang