On February 12, 1965, Philip Thomas, better known as reggae and dancehall artist “Cutty Ranks,” was born in Clarendon Parish in Jamaica.

He began his music career at the age of 11 working with local reggae sound systems, including the Gemini sound system, before he went to work with Tony Robert’s Rebel Tone and Papa Roots. Later on, he worked with Stereo Mars, Arrows and Metro Media. After joining Kilimanjaro where he worked with Early B, Super Cat, Puddy Roots, and Little Twitch. He became involved with Josey Wales at Skimmers, as well as Nicodemus, Super Cat, U Brown and Yami Bolo.