CUTTY RANKS - The Stopper

In 1965, influential reggae artist Phillip Thomas - better known as Cutty Ranks - was born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica. His career as a singer started at the age of eleven, and before long the young toaster had joined the Gemini sound system - a famous Jamaican reggae artist collective. He later worked with Tony Rebel, and also with the legendary Killamanjaro sound system - where he worked alongside a young Super Cat and others. In the 1980's, Cutty Ranks continued to record with popular sound systems in Jamaica, and spent some time recording in Miami with Super Cat and Nicodemus. When he was recruited by London-based Fashion Records in 1991, Cutty Ranks recorded his first major international hit, The Stopper. Later that year he released his debut album (of the same name) and a second album on Fashion Records. Cutty Ranks' popularity in the 1990's was influential in the boom of 1990's reggae hip-hop, and later was also influential in drum & bass and jungle music. Many of his classic vocals have been sampled and used in songs by electronic artists such as Goldie, and many others.