Biography
read full storyAndrew Phillip Gregory, aka Sluggy Ranks, born and raised in Ray Town Kingston 16 Jamaica, where he attended Clan Carthy Primary School and Vauxhall Secondary school. Sluggy relocated to the United States in 1981, where he resided in Brooklyn New York. His distinctive voice and talent quickly caught the attention of producers such as Jah life, Park Heights, Whitty, Super power records and King Jammy's. His collaboration with these producers gave him dance hall hits like 95% Black, Rough Wine, Lightening & Thunder, Wages of Sin, Sodom & Gomorrah and Ghetto Youth Bust.
The name Sluggy Ranks was created to counteract the slugs of destruction, murder and chaos; shooting the slugs with righteousness, unity and forgiveness. Already a legend in the dance hall scene, he is known for his positive cultural lyrics and his unique voice. Sluggy's command of the stage has allowed him to travel throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Europe to the delight of many audiences. His ambitious climb in the industry is for, as he puts it, “the love of the music and to teach people of all race and religion to Love and Respect each other as they would respect themselves. We have to remember that the youth of today are our future and with them goes the legacy of all mankind.”
Sluggy so far has four albums to his name : Settle Sluggy produced by Park Heights; My Time by produced by Count Shelly for Super Power Records; Just Call Sluggy by Whitty, and Ghetto Youth Bust by King Jammy's for Profile International Records.
The last album helped to introduce Sluggy to a larger audience out side the dance hall community. In addition, in 1994 he did a compilation CD with Easy Star Records releasing tunes such as Lightening & Thunder, The Coming of the Lord and Ethiopia.
Sluggy's inspiration comes from the Almighty and he has great respect and admiration for the late Gregory Isaacs his mentor, Shabba Ranks, Freddy McGreggor, Horace Andy, the late Dennis Brown and the late Garnett Silk. He has the determination to maintain the high standard of excellence that these legendary entertainers have set over the years.
Sluggy is currenlty working on his new album which will feature 14 tracks. The album will show the Ranks at his finest, delivering a positive message with great vibes. It will also feature some superstar combinations with the likes of Sizzla, Capleton, and Pad Anthony.