TABOU1 has always enjoyed working with legendary DJ’s, including the godfather U ROY, U Brown, or Big Youth. These artists revolutionized Jamaican music, creating an art form that became Rap and Hip Hop in the US, Dancehall in Jamaica, or Afrobeats in Africa, etc… It is thanks to these pioneers that Deejaying in its various forms has conquered the entire world, and we at TABOU1 insist on paying tribute to them

Ranking Joe, born Joseph Jackson, ranks (no pun intended) super highly among those groundbreaking artists who chose to "chat" rhymes over instrumentals (known as “riddims” in Jamaica) rather than sing.

Born in 1959, he started his career in the 70s at the tender age of 15, taking over the role of resident DJ for the then dominant El Paso Hi Fi Sound system, founded by the great Dennis Alcapone. His unique fast-talking style and great lyrics earned him international recognition and he started touring worldwide, single handedly igniting the fast-talking craze in the UK.

Fast forward to 2023, we at TABOU1 were elated and honored when Ranking Joe agreed to work his magic and record new tracks over riddims recorded with Sly & Robbie. The result of this collaboration is a stellar collection of 10 tracks mixed by Colin "Bulby" York.