Loner

Like many ghetto youth looking for a means of expression, Fragga Ranks, born Anthony Thomas, turned to music as a natural extension of his life. Hailing from Red Hills Road in Kingston, Jamaica, and blessed with a deep, “raspy”, lyrical voice and a soulful exuberance, Fragga Ranks weaves his 20 years of experiences, relationships, life values, hardships and joys into hundreds of songs and rhythms. The underlying message is always one of positivity, hope and upliftment. Life-long messenger of love, longing, struggle and celebration, Fragga Ranks, a foundation Dancehall DJ, is now based in New York City. His debut CD, titled Loner, combines new releases (Loner, Can't Find a Good Man), with classic collaborations such as: Chalice in a Circle, featuring The Mighty Diamonds; Why Do It, featuring Barrington Levy; Dis Mi Already, with the vocal stylings of Cynthia Schloss; Babylon Fall, featuring dancehall veterans Junior Reid and Pinchers; and various tracks showcasing rising Jamaican singer Mark Tenn. Loner, is comprised of a smattering of his collaborative work with various artists recorded during the '90s. These songs represent just a few of the hundreds of singles voiced by Fragga since 1986. Some were pressed on 7” and selectively distributed, while others have been shelved by various producers for future release. This prolific artist has traveled a long road from obscurity to the top of the English reggae charts with his first record Hug Me Up. Some of Fragga Ranks' earlier recordings on various labels can be found on this site. His talents as a DJ along with his culturally oriented content has influenced the direction of Dancehall music. As the media debates the roles and responsibilities of artists and record companies, Fragga Ranks continues to deliver a message of positive thoughts and actions as an antidote for the strife and violence in the world. He has seen how musicians can inspire the lives of youth and make a difference beyond record sales, “Mi want fi educate the yout's them an' help them in the right direction, an get their minds free from negative entity.” Blessed Love