Veteran Dancehall deejay Nardo Ranks, known for hits like ‘Dem A Bleach,’ ‘Burrup,’ and ‘Rykers Island’ (featuring Cocoa Tea), has passed away. The news was shared by reggae singer Red Fox and the popular Reggae music website World A Reggae on Sunday via Instagram.
Nardo Ranks, born Gary Henderson, hailed from the east Kingston community of McIntyre Villa, also known as Dunkirk. He developed an interest in music at the age of 10, and by the mid-1980s, he was honing his deejay skills on the Caveman sound system.
In 1989, Ranks broke into the Dancehall scene with his debut track ‘Wha Happen Sound Boy,’ which featured another Dunkirk native, Wayne Wonder. His infectious sound quickly gained popularity, and throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, he earned a spot on local charts with his unique style and memorable tracks.
Nardo Ranks later migrated to the United States, where he continued to work in the entertainment industry as both a deejay and actor. Red Fox, a fellow artiste, expressed his sorrow on social media, writing, “Saddened to hear the passing of Nardo Ranks. My condolences to his family and loved ones. R.I.P DJ 🙏🏽.”
Nardo’s latest Instagram update was in October when he shared a snippet from his new song titled ‘Reggae Music’, urging his fans to stream it on all the digital platforms.
The reason for his passing is unknown.
