Artist

Shabba Ranks

1980s-present·Kingston, Seaview Gardens, Saint Ann

Rexton Gordon rose from Seaview Gardens to become dancehall's biggest crossover success of the early nineties, winning back-to-back Grammys for Best Reggae Album with As Raw as Ever (1991) and X-tra Naked (1992). His 1990 track "Dem Bow," produced by Bobby Digital, built a riddim so stark and syncopated it barely registered as remarkable in Kingston at the time—just another digital track in a market flooded with them.

The full story is in Jamaican Dancehall.

At a glance

Active
1980s–present
From
Saint Ann, Jamaica
Records in the issues
3 (1990–1992), 1 of them a Start here pick
Original labels
VP Records and Epic
Listening guide track
“Mr. Loverman”

Listen

In the Jamaican Dancehall listening guide: “Mr. Loverman”

Spotify

In the issues

  • Reggaeton
    An influence · 1985-2017 · Members

    Reggaeton is a genre from Panama City, Panama & San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1985–2017. Its principal artists include Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderón, DJ Playero and Ivy Queen. This issue covers 10 essential albums and 12 dated events.

  • Jamaican Dancehall
    Principal · 1979-1995 · Members

    Jamaican Dancehall is a genre from Kingston, Jamaica, 1979–1995. Its principal artists include Yellowman, Shabba Ranks and King Jammy. This issue covers 8 essential albums and 14 dated events.

Records

Terms

Dembow
A syncopated drum pattern taken from Jamaican dancehall and named after Shabba Ranks' 1990 song 'Dem Bow', which used Steely & Clevie's 'Fish Market' riddim.
Riddim
A Jamaican term for an instrumental backing track, especially one reused by multiple singers or deejays to create different vocal versions over the same rhythm.