During his heyday, Shabba Ranks was arguably the most popular dancehall toaster in the world. He was a massive crossover success in the U.S., thanks to an openly commercial hybrid of reggae and hip-hop, and also to prominent duet partners like Maxi Priest, Johnny Gill, and KRS-One. All of this brought him several hit singles and albums on the R&B charts in the early 90s, and made him the first dancehall artist to win a Grammy. Ranks distinctive, booming growl of a voice earned him many imitators, and his sex-obsessed lyrics — while drawing criticism for their unrelenting slackness — made him one of dancehalls hottest sex symbols. Ranks early success also helped pave the way for even bigger crossovers by artists like Shaggy and Sean Paul.Shabba Ranks was born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon on January 17, 1966, in Sturgetown, Jamaica.