Gappy Ranks

Jacob Lee Williams (born c.1983), better known as Gappy Ranks, is an English dancehall musician of Jamaican and Dominican descent, from Harlesden, London.

Career Born in Harlesden to a Jamaican father and Dominican mother, he dealt with numerous problems; including homelessness after leaving school. Once he overcame these issues, he joined up with childhood friend and fellow artist Redmann (UK), and was enlisted into the UK dancehall collective Suncycle, along with local artists such as Cash Money, Lady Chann and Naff Skrilla. In 2005, Gappy Ranks was featured on the Vice law entertainment mixtapes. That same year, he won the 'Best Song' award at London's Silk Awards for "Little Understanding", released by UK reggae record label Stingray Records. Also in 2005, Ranks contributed to the single "What We Do" by Kray Twinz featuring Twista and Lethal B, which charted nationally in the UK at #23. Ranks performed live at Earl's Court in front of a crowd of 17,000 for the first Kiss 100 awards. He also played a full UK tour which brought him to cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle. He recorded for former UK reggae giants Jet Star Records in North West London where he became an assistant engineer, giving him time to grow and develop his love for music and network which led him to work with record label Peckings.

On 26 December 2009, Ranks' childhood wish was granted, as he performed at the celebrated annual Sting event in Jamaica. Ranks was nominated for the 2010 MOBO Award in the 'Best Reggae Act' category, losing out to Gyptian.

In 2011, Ranks followed up with his second album Thanks & Praise, this time on his own Hot Coffee Music label, which was distributed by VPAL Music. Thanks & Praise included "Stinkin' Rich" (produced by Italian producer Macro Marco), "Longtime", (produced by Special Delivery) and the title track (produced by Grammy Award-winning UK producer Jazzwad) and featured Jamaican recording artists Delly Ranx and Russian, who is better known for his work with Vybz Kartel. Gappy Ranks has since toured and performed throughout Europe, the United States, the West Indies, and Australasia. His tour also included Japan and in March 2011, he found himself in the middle of the world's biggest earthquake and tsunami. He collaborated with Beres Hammond on a new version of the latter's "I Surrender".

In June 2014, Gappy Ranks collaborated with New Zealand hip-hop producer P-Money on an eight-track EP titled The Baddest; The EP was recorded at Red Bull Music Academy in Auckland, New Zealand. Gappy Ranks' fourth album titled Generation was scheduled for release in April 2015.

Discography Albums English Weather (2006), Jet Star Put the Stereo On (2010), Greensleeves/VP Thanks & Praise (2011), Hot Coffee Music / VPAL Music Shining Hope (2013), Hot Coffee Music / VPAL Musuic Gappy Ranks Meets Dub Club (2014), Stones Throw Generation (2015) "Guide Me" (2016), Hot Coffee Music / VPAL Music "Pure Badness" (2017) Hot Coffee Music / VPAL Music