Dancehall legend Shabba Ranks has named the best dancehall artistes as well as the ones leading the current generation, and the lists surprised social media users, especially since it excluded some expected names. Iconic deejay shared the lists in response to a question about whom he considered to be the greatest dancehall artistes of all time.
Shabba Ranks expressed that various deejays were outstanding in their time, as was he. Listing the artistes who defined each generation with their unique contributions, he named Bounty Killer, Sizzla Kalonji, Buju Banton, and another artiste he referred to as “Ray Ray”, whom social media users speculate to be Beenie Man.
When it comes to the entertainers leading the current generation, Shabba Ranks named Vybz Kartel, Busy Signal, Mavado, and Alkaline. He indicated that Vybz Kartel is among the best and continues to influence the genre.
He also suggested that deejays could reach their full potential and become even more successful and influential if they focused on mastering their craft and ignored what others were doing and saying. His advice seemingly hints at the ongoing King of Dancehall debate. This has been a longstanding argument about who is more suited for the crown in modern times, Beenie Man or Vybz Kartel.
The video, which was recently shared on Instagram, amused a lot of viewers as they highlighted that Shabba did not mention Beenie Man. While some agreed with his selection, some felt that other names were missing from the list and named whom they believed should be added. Jamaican dancehall artistes like Masicka, Popcaan, and Skillibeng were frequently mentioned.
“Him nuh rate Beenie, enuh,” one viewer said.
“If you don’t call Popcaan, Masicka, Dexta and Skillibeng, you don’t know what you’re saying. Alka is up there, yes, but the names have to be called,” another Instagram user said.
