On February 12, 1965, Philip Thomas, higher referred to as Cutty Ranks was born in Kingston, Jamaica. A real pioneer of hardcore dancehall, Cutty Ranks’ deep baritone, rapid-fire supply, and uncompromising lyrics set him aside within the style, influencing generations of DJs, toasters, and reggae artists worldwide.
Early Life and Entry into Music
Cutty Ranks’ journey into music started on the age of 11 when he began working with native sound techniques, immersing himself within the pulsating rhythms of Jamaican dancehall. He carried out with among the island’s most iconic sound techniques, together with Gemini, Insurgent Tone (alongside Tony Insurgent), and Papa Roots. Later, he joined Stereo Mars, Arrows, and Metro Media, finally making his mark with Kilimanjaro, the place he carried out alongside legendary names like Early B, Super Cat, Puddy Roots, and Little Twitch. His time with these crews honed his expertise, shaping the aggressive and commanding model that may outline his profession.
Breaking By way of the Trade
By the mid-Nineteen Eighties, Cutty Ranks had begun to carve out a reputation for himself, debuting with Gunman Lyrics in 1986 on Winston Riley’s Strategies label. He adopted up with Out of Hand and Fishman Lyrics below Riley’s manufacturing, reinforcing his status as a fearless lyricist. He later moved to Arrows earlier than linking up with Penthouse Information in 1990, the place he recorded alongside reggae greats resembling Marcia Griffiths, Dennis Brown, Wayne Marvel, and Beres Hammond.
His huge break got here in 1991 when London’s Trend Information acknowledged his expertise and launched his debut album, The Stopper. That very same 12 months, he recorded hits like The Bomber, A Who Seh Me Dun, and Limb by Limb, all of which turned anthems within the dancehall world. These tracks showcased his signature uncooked vitality, incomes him a spot amongst dancehall’s most influential figures.
One of many Most Sampled Artists in Reggae
Cutty Ranks’ affect extends far past dancehall, as he stays probably the most sampled reggae artists in historical past. His music has been sampled over 300 instances, crossing over into hip-hop, jungle, and reggaeton. His observe A Who Seh Me Dun alone has over 90 samples, making it the eighth most sampled reggae track in response to WhoSampled.com. Limb by Limb was closely sampled within the UK jungle scene, serving to to form the style’s basis.
His influence is clear in tracks by hip-hop heavyweights like Drake, The Fugees, and Funkmaster Flex, proving that his affect transcends dancehall, reaching world audiences throughout a number of genres.
The Authorized Battle Over Dame Tu Cosita
In 2016, Cutty Ranks was featured on Dame Tu Cosita, a observe initially recorded by El Chombo in 1997. The track noticed renewed reputation when it turned a viral dance problem, amassing thousands and thousands of views and streams. Nevertheless, regardless of his contribution, Cutty Ranks discovered himself in a authorized dispute over unpaid royalties. The controversy stemmed from his vocals getting used with out correct credit score or compensation, main him to pursue authorized motion in opposition to El Chombo and Juston Information to assert his rightful earnings.
This case is a part of a broader challenge throughout the music trade, the place dancehall artists like Cutty Ranks have ceaselessly accused reggaeton artists of re-recording Jamaican songs in Spanish and claiming them as their very own. Many foundational dancehall tracks, together with Dame Tu Cosita, have been repurposed with out correct acknowledgment, forcing artists like Cutty Ranks to battle for his or her rights.
In an interview, he said that the rampant copying in reggaeton pushed him to be taught Spanish to higher navigate the trade and shield his work. His battle over Dame Tu Cosita highlights the ongoing struggle of Reggae acts, artists and producers alike, to be correctly acknowledged and compensated for his or her work.
Staying Related: Excursions and Latest Performances
Even after many years within the trade, Cutty Ranks continues to carry out worldwide, preserving dancehall’s golden period alive for brand new generations. His latest appearances embody Marcia Griffiths and Pals (2024), a standout efficiency on the BET Awards alongside Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star (2023), and a session on BBC Radio 1Xtra on the legendary Harry J Studio (2023). These performances reaffirm his standing as a dancehall icon whose vitality stays unmatched.
Legacy and Affect
Cutty Ranks’ legacy is cemented in dancehall historical past. His fearless lyricism, pioneering supply, and cross-genre affect make him probably the most essential figures in reggae and dancehall. As probably the most sampled reggae artists of all time, his influence continues to form fashionable music, proving that his voice and message stay as highly effective as ever. Whether or not via previous anthems or ongoing performances, Cutty Ranks stays a dominant drive in world music, reminding followers why he’s a real legend within the dancehall house.
