As the international star makes a triumphant return in Jamaica, we're publishing a previously unreleased interview with the great Shabba Ranks here. Lately, we've been happy to see him pop up again on a few 45s, notably on the martial arts riddim and the Spin Yu Roll with his track Money is a Muss (available to listen to).
Can you tell me about your beginnings?
Shabba Ranks I started at the age of 12 but I started getting famous at 18-19.
You started out singing under the name Copilot...
Shabba Ranks Yes that goes back a very long time, I came second after the first. There was someone there who was bigger than me, and I played the supporting role. There's the navigator and his copilot. I was just there to play a part in the background. Copilot, that's where I started building my skills on the mic.
Which Jamaican parish are you from?
Shabba Ranks I'm from the parish of Saint Ann.
What was the first label you recorded for?
Shabba Ranks It was a small unknown label, run by a rich man's son.
It wasn't a big hit, but it got me into the Jammys camp. Bobby Digital was the sound engineer at Jammys, and he's the one who made sure my career grew.
It wasn't a big hit, but it got me into the Jammys camp. Bobby Digital was the sound engineer at Jammys, and he's the one who made sure my career grew.
So how did you start working with Jammys?
Shabba Ranks When I did my first song under the name Copilot, it got played on the radio a few times, so people and producers heard my voice that way and noticed my talent. From there I went to Jammys.
What was the sound system you started deejaying for?
Shabba Ranks It's the Roots Melody sound system, before Admiral Baily got popular that's where he used to chant too.
Was it a Kingston sound system?
Shabba Ranks Yes, in the same area where Jammys and King Sturgav played.
After that you had real international success in your career... How do you explain that success?
Shabba Ranks I was doing a lot of things in music that a lot of artists weren't doing. I went on stage in eccentric clothes and I had a stage presence that made me stand out more. A whole set of things that created a hype and a vibe that record companies in the United States were hearing about and watching on TV. They contacted me and that's how I got into my international career.
You've inspired a lot of deejays from the new generation...
Shabba Ranks Yes, I've inspired young people and made them want to get into music, since I was inspired myself by artists like Josey Wales, Brigadier Jerry, Charlie Chaplin, Daddy U Roy, Prince Jazzbo, Lone Ranger, Rankin Joe ...who were foundations for me.
So I have to come and make sure I create a foundation for other youths.
So I have to come and make sure I create a foundation for other youths.
That's what you sing about in the song Respect...
Shabba Ranks Yes, because I'm a man who lives with the foundations. Because they create the future. If you don't take care of the roots, the branches and the fruit can't grow.
Why haven't you appeared on 45s for a while?
Shabba Ranks I'm still recording them, I'm preparing four tracks on my new label.
With Ninjaman's comeback, are you preparing something?
Shabba Ranks No, I'm not preparing a comeback because I never left the bizness. I'm just doing my own thing. I don't care what Ninjaman does with his career.
Every man has to work hard in music.
Every man has to work hard in music.
What are your plans for the future?
Shabba Ranks Right now I'm setting up my own record company, Ranks, and I plan to launch new talent and invade the world with my own productions. I'm 100% the bizness man behind my music.
So watch out for the upcoming productions on that label.
People, you have to listen to me and watch! since 1987 I've been popular in music, I've been in music for 22 years. I always have a song that's associated with my name.
Some songs I recorded recently couldn't come out because of political problems...
So watch out for the upcoming productions on that label.
People, you have to listen to me and watch! since 1987 I've been popular in music, I've been in music for 22 years. I always have a song that's associated with my name.
Some songs I recorded recently couldn't come out because of political problems...