Cutty Ranks (Phillip Thomas) is a legendary Jamaican dancehall artist and deejay, known for his deep, gravelly voice and pioneering contributions to the genre of dancehall and reggae music. Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, in 1965, he rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His style is characterized by powerful vocal delivery and sharp, rhythmic lyrics, often addressing themes of street life, personal struggles, and social issues.
Cutty Ranks began his career as a teenager in the 1980s, working with various sound systems before gaining attention with producers like Winston Riley and Donovan Germain. His breakthrough came with songs like "The Bomber," "Gunman Lyrics," and "Stopper," which solidified his reputation as one of the most formidable deejays in dancehall. However, it was his 1991 hit "Limb By Limb" that propelled him to international recognition, becoming a classic in dancehall music.
Over the years, Cutty Ranks has maintained his relevance by collaborating with a wide range of artists across genres, from reggae and hip-hop to electronic music, blending his gritty deejay style with diverse sounds. His work has left a lasting impact on the dancehall genre, influencing a new generation of artists while keeping his own unique voice at the forefront of the scene.
