Shabba Ranks, born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon on January 17, 1966, in Saint Ann, Jamaica, is a renowned dancehall musician. Raised in the Kingston neighborhood of Seaview Gardens, he was influenced by local sound system DJs and began his career in music by toasting, a vocal style akin to rapping. Initially performing under the name Co-Pilot, he gained prominence with the guidance of DJ Josey Wales and secured a recording contract with Epic Records in 1989.

Shabba Ranks became a significant figure in the dancehall genre during the late 1980s and early 1990s, achieving international success with hits like "Mr. Loverman" and "Ting-A-Ling." His albums "As Raw as Ever" and "X-tra Naked" won Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album in 1992 and 1993, respectively. He was instrumental in popularizing the "Dem Bow" riddim, which became foundational to the reggaeton genre.

Throughout his career, Ranks collaborated with various artists, including Maxi Priest, Johnny Gill, and KRS-One. Despite a decline in mainstream popularity after being dropped by Epic Records in 1996, he continued to influence the music scene and made a partial comeback with collaborations in the 2000s. Shabba Ranks remains a pivotal figure in music history, known for his distinctive voice and contributions to the global spread of dancehall music.