The Dem Bow riddim is an integral and inseparable part of reggaeton, so much so that it has become its defining characteristic. Produced by Bobby "Digital" Dixon, the Dem Bow riddim became so popular in Puerto Rican freestyle sessions that early Puerto Rican reggaeton was simply known as "Dembow". The stylistic origins of the genre reggaeton can be traced back to the 1990 song " Dem Bow", from Ranks' album Just Reality. He secured a recording contract with Epic Records in 1989.
Ranks also worked with Chuck Berry and American rappers KRS-One and Chubb Rock. His international career started in the late 1980s, along with a number of fellow Jamaicans including reggae singers Cocoa Tea and Crystal. He gained his fame mainly by toasting (or rapping) rather than singing, like some of his dancehall contemporaries in Jamaica. She was the subject of the 2015 hit song Shabba Madda Pot from dancehall artist Dexta Daps. His mother, Constance "Mama Christie" Christie, remained in Seaview after Shabba's success, feeding the community with money sent from her son after his emigration. His father, Ivan Gordon, was a mason who died in 1990. He currently resides in the New York City area. He and his wife, Michelle, have two sons Rexton Jr and Jahwon.
Ann, Jamaica, and raised in Seaview Gardens, Kingston.