Starting out on the King Jammys Superpower sound system in Jamaica, Shabba quickly emerged on the Jamaican and international stages in the late 1980's with a number of fellow artists. These include the British vocalist Maxi Priest; reggae singers Cocoa Tea, Crystal, and Mykal Rose and R&B singer Johnny Gill; in addition to working with luminaries Chuck Berry and American rappers KRS-One and Chubb Rock. His biggest hit non-Jamaican hit was "Mr. Loverman", although in Jamaica and for many reggae lovers, this was not his best work. Other, more appreciated tracks by reggae enthusiasts, include "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailor Load A Girls", "Wicked in Bed", "Caan Dun", and "Ting A Ling".
He won back-to-back Grammy awards in the Reggae category in 1991 & 1992, the first dancehall deejay to do so. He also
His later reputation was badly damaged by his explicitly homophobic views and lyrics. This was evidenced by a particularly notorious incident on the Channel 4 programme 'The Word' where he appeared to advocate the crucifixion of homosexuals and was condemned for his comments by presenter Mark Lamarr.
Following this episode, and subsequent negative media coverage, his career never fully recovered. He was eventually dropped by his American record label, Epic Records, in 1996. Anti-homosexuality is a common viewpoint in the reggae-dancehall community in Jamaica; Shabba Ranks is not the only artist to have referred to such matters in song. Later reggae artists that have come under criticism for their homophobic views include Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, and Sizzla.
Wicked In Bed is featured on the Reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, released in October 2004.
None Ah Dem
Shabba Ranks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shabba Ranking pon big ship riddim
Di Genius, Right now mi nuh mad bout it but mi errrr ere
Right now mi ignorant bout it but mi ereeeeeeeee ere
How can you not rate who come before you
you a gwaan like a you come bout yah come come mek music big.
Yet dem and those, who suppose to respect the elders
nuh deh yah
A nuh you a di man, a god a di man, ereerrrr
Chorus
None a dem nuh bad like shabba Ranking
nuh nuh nuh nuh, none a dem none a dem
None a dem nuh tuff like the ranking
nuh nuh nuh nuh, none a dem none a dem
stop dah one deh and ask him
If him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking
Unno can stop dah one deh and asked him
If him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking
Verse 1
Si di fool deh ask him, if him nuh imitake di ranking
The vibes i bring di big songs that i sing
Mus inspire and motivate him
Big vibes bouncing pon big ship riddim
From compond back to gully banking
Shabba ranks a di top a top ranking
So unno no badda hide di truth
Jus put the facts in, di gong a H2O a mi oxygen
Dancehall is like how mi pick the jewels and Gem
Tell dem sa mi supply di word fi di him
Don't get it twisted, a who a fool him
Thirty years deep and still a rollin
Chorus
None a dem nuh bad like shabba Ranking
nuh nuh nuh nuh, none a dem none a dem
None a dem nuh tuff like the ranking
nuh nuh nuh nuh, none a dem none a dem
stop dah one deh and ask him
If him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking
Unno can stop dah one deh and asked him
If him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking
Verse 2
Cause dem a bragg and boast and its a shame
and dem nuh added up to what dem proclaim
with dem likkle house, dem likkle car, dem likke chain, dem baby name
And none a dem nuh bad like Baby Wayne
Wid him aroun now mi mad mi in-humain
How many more can dis man explain
Dat you cannot treat dem and shabba ranks di same
Cause when it comes to music, its not fun and game
How unno fi gwaan like unno whaa ignore mi
And a boosted up who don't come before mi
Tek it from the foundation
Bell it a couple of story, checkusavakiya adore mi
God get the higher praise and all a di glory
Respect di foundation who come before mi
Cornel Jose, Brigadary Jerry, Yellow man to di man is legendary.eereerr
Chorus
None a dem nuh bad like shabba Ranking
nuh nuh nuh nuh, none a dem none a dem
None a dem nuh tuff like the ranking
nuh nuh nuh nuh, none a dem none a dem
stop dah one deh and ask him
If him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking
Unno can stop dah one deh and asked him
If him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking
Yet dem and those, who suppose to respect the elders nuh deh yah
And a gwaan like a you a deh man
A nuh you a di man, a god a di man, ereerrrr
Chorus
None a dem nuh bad like shabba Ranking
nuh nuh nuh nuh, none a dem none a dem
None a dem nuh tuff like the ranking
nuh nuh nuh nuh, none a dem none a dem
stop dah one deh and ask him
If him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking
Unno can stop dah one deh and asked him
If him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking
Outro
Big big big big ship riddim
Big voice bouncing pon big ship riddim
The song "None Ah Dem" by Shabba Ranks addresses the lack of respect for elders in the music industry. Shabba feels that younger artists are not acknowledging and respecting those who came before them, including himself. He questions their authenticity by asking if they are simply imitating him and suggests that they cannot compare to his talent and achievements. He references other legendary artists like Yellow Man, Cornel Jose, and Brigadary Jerry, highlighting the importance of paying homage to those who laid the foundation. Shabba emphasizes that music should not be taken lightly and that it takes hard work, dedication, and a deep understanding of the genre to succeed.
The chorus repeats the phrase "None a dem nuh bad like shabba Ranking, nuh nuh nuh nuh, none a dem none a dem" which means that no one can compare to Shabba Ranks in terms of talent, skill, and success. The phrase "stop dah one deh and ask him if him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking" implies that the younger artists may be copying Shabba's style and not being original in their attempts to make it big.
The lyrics also convey Shabba Ranks's confidence in his abilities, stating that he has been in the business for 30 years and is still going strong. He speaks of the vibrancy of his music and its ability to inspire and motivate others.
Line by Line Meaning
Shabba Ranking pon big ship riddim
Shabba Ranks is performing on the big ship riddim
Di Genius, Right now mi nuh mad bout it but mi errrr ere
Acknowledging Di Genius, but feeling a sense of frustration and aggression
Right now mi ignorant bout it but mi ereeeeeeeee ere
Feeling a sense of ignorance, but still strong and present
How can you not rate who come before you
Questioning how someone cannot appreciate those who paved the way for their success
you a gwaan like a you come bout yah come come mek music big.
Someone is acting like they single-handedly made music big
Yet dem and those, who suppose to respect the elders nuh deh yah
Those who should respect the elders are not present
And a gwaan like a you a deh man
Someone is acting like they are the man
A nuh you a di man, a god a di man, ereerrrr
Acknowledging that someone is not the man, but rather, the divine being is the man
None a dem nuh bad like shabba Ranking
No one is as bad as Shabba Ranks
None a dem nuh tuff like the ranking
No one is as tough as Shabba Ranks
stop dah one deh and ask him
If him nuh imitate the great shabba ranking
Asking someone if they are imitating Shabba Ranks
Si di fool deh ask him, if him nuh imitake di ranking
Calling someone out for being foolish for not imitating Shabba Ranks
The vibes i bring di big songs that i sing
Mus inspire and motivate him
Shabba Ranks' music inspires and motivates others
Big vibes bouncing pon big ship riddim
The big vibes are bouncing on the big ship riddim
From compond back to gully banking
From Compond to Gully making bank
Shabba ranks a di top a top ranking
Shabba Ranks is at the top of the top rankings
So unno no badda hide di truth
Jus put the facts in, di gong a H2O a mi oxygen
Urging to not hide the truth and that water is Shabba's oxygen
Dancehall is like how mi pick the jewels and Gem
Tell dem sa mi supply di word fi di him
Explaining how he picks the jewels and gems in dancehall and supplies them with words.
Don't get it twisted, a who a fool him
Not to be mistaken, someone is foolish
Thirty years deep and still a rollin
Still going strong after thirty years
Cause dem a bragg and boast and its a shame
and dem nuh added up to what dem proclaim
with dem likkle house, dem likkle car, dem likke chain, dem baby name
Others are bragging, but not meeting up to their own proclamations
And none a dem nuh bad like Baby Wayne
Wid him aroun now mi mad mi in-humain
No one is as bad as Baby Wayne and now feeling inhumane
How many more can dis man explain
Dat you cannot treat dem and shabba ranks di same
Questioning how many times it must be explained that others cannot be treated the same as Shabba Ranks
Cause when it comes to music, its not fun and game
Music isn't just a game
How unno fi gwaan like unno whaa ignore mi
And a boosted up who don't come before mi
Questioning how someone can ignore him when they were not even around when he was making music
Tek it from the foundation
Bell it a couple of story, checkusavakiya adore mi
Taking it back to the foundation and having others check his references and seeing how they admire him
God get the higher praise and all a di glory
Respect di foundation who come before mi
Cornel Jose, Brigadary Jerry, Yellow man to di man is legendary.eereerr
Giving praise to God and respecting the foundation that came before him, including Cornel Jose, Brigadary Jerry, and Yellow Man who are all legendary
Big big big big ship riddim
Big voice bouncing pon big ship riddim
The ship riddim is big and Shabba's voice is bouncing on the big riddim
Contributed by Eliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
876 most valuable treasure
Still listening in 2022. Big chune enuh ππ½
ReelSpillTv
This man knows how to ride di riddim like no other - this is why Shabba is always a joy to listen too!!! Shabba, big up to you from Nigeria and Africa as a whole - we love you. We wish you well and hope that you will be 50-years deep "and still-a-rollin". You are blessed!!!
Ronjay Rollaz
π― pan di riddim a swear
P S
When Stephen and Shabba come together you get the true geniuses of past and present in combination. In other words, explosive chune!
BOYKA2
Shabba is my favorite Reggae icon. That voice of his is sooo unique...
Life Style
I loved how Di Genious edited the beat, and mixed it with old school dancehall that shabba ranks used to use.
I_am H0PE
Shabba still GOT IT.......RESPECT!!!
tribefenatic
Heavy voice blowing on my speakers, Love shabba!!
Temitope Tokosi
None is like Shabba ranks so respect to the King. Nice tune. We need more like this from Shabba
Mini L
love this song hope shabba has changed his views on us Haitians and realize that we are in the same struggle as the people of JA all Black people are struggling. I remember being a child and loving his songs but heard an interview when he disrespected Haitians that was the 90s culture back then though it was horribly wrong, hope his spirit has changed.