Shabba Ranks was the (internationally) most popular dancehall artist before Shaggy. Unlike Shaggy, he never sang, sticking to dee jaying, also called toasting or chatting.

Shabba Ranks was born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon on January 17, 1966. He worked with English singer Maxi Priest, American rappers KRS One and Chubb Rock , reggae singers Cocoa Tea and Mykal Rose , R&B singer Johnny Gill and Rock & Roll pioneer Chuck Berry. His biggest hit was "Mr. Loverman".

His reputation was badly damaged by his explicitly homophobic views and lyrics, particularly a notorious incident on the Channel 4 programme 'The Word' where he appeared to advocate the crucifixion of homosexuals. Following this episode and subsequent negative media coverage, his career never fully recovered and he was dropped by his American record label.