Rankin
Scroo
Still Building On A Solid Foundation
Article and photography by Diane “Livonn” Adam (c) 2006
I
remember seeing Rankin Scroo (b. Harold Johnson) as his lanky
frame sauntered down the hallway of the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach
during the 2003 Bob Marley Day celebration. I can’t h elp but
remember his elegant charm and rascally demeanor as he got closer as
we simultaneously approached each other. Always dressed to the
nines whenever I see him, Rankin Scroo was decked out in a crisp
white suit and crowned with the trademark derby he always wears. It
was no doubt who he was because his distinctive chocolate brown skin
seemed to shimmer in the contrasting white suit as his charming grin
greeted us as the dreadlocked Rasta stopped for a moment to chat. Though my schedule was hectic that day, I found myself
reminiscing about the last time I saw Rankin Scroo perform at the 1st
Annual Montreal International Reggae Festival in 2004 and, just on
the strength of that brilliant performance, I wondered why he wasn’t
on the lineup during the festival.
I’ve seen Rankin Scroo perform live only a couple of times in the
San Francisco Bay Area and was most impressed. However, as the
years followed, I noticed that this artist seemed to be doing more
studio and ‘underground’ work. Especially in light of the recent
Project Groundation releases where Rankin Scroo (with friend and
Reggae artist Luytan Fyah) hosts Above
Dem. this Reggae music
extravaganza is sprinkled with a few new songs from Rankin Scroo that are really worthy of high praise. The album has over 50
mixed songs that are absolutely a must for long journeys in the car
or when you just want to hear some great Reggae artists without
hunting around for 9 or 10 CDs that could do the trick.
I
approached Rankin Scroo on several occasions, most recently at the
2005 Monterey Reggae Festival where I stopped to speak with
him and his long time
 partner Ginger about doing an
interview. Some time has passed since that discussion but the idea
never left my heavens so it was great to get together with this
artist as he launches the follow-up to his last CD, The Godfada
(2001) on his own Crucial Youth Productions label. When
asked about the formation of Crucial Youth Productions Rankin Scroo
says, “Crucial Youth was the name of the 2nd band that
I formed in 1982. I decided to turn it into a music production
company that would umbrella the studio facility and publishing.”
An endeavor that has christened him as one of the top studios
producers in the Bay Area. Rankin says, “I want people to know
that Crucial Youth is a music production company and the home of
Rankin Scroo and Ginger where we produce an array of top musicians
and artists.”
During a recent interview with Rankin Scroo I asked the artist:
Livonn:
Rankin Scroo, how did your early exposure in the music industry in
Jamaica impact your development as an international Reggae artist?
Rankin Scroo:
My exposure in the industry in Jamaica as a recording artist did
not happen until around 1985 on the Volcano label ‘BURDEN’ a 7 inch
single. Then Ras Records in 1987 released “Nuh Du Dat” an EP. This
gave me exposure to the international Reggae market.”
Livonn: Can
you recall your earliest experience as a recording artist?
Rankin Scroo:
Yes! I can remember. I was in Hawaii playing parties, night
clubs and college campuses. People loved the music so much that
they wanted to buy it. I had to make recordings so I could sell
them.
Livonn: You
left Jamaica for New York City, tell me about your experience in the
music industry when you relocated there.
Rankin Scroo:
I relocated to New York in 1979. I worked the scene there with
sound systems and instrumental tracks. I did not work with a band
until I went to Hawaii where I formed my first band.
Livonn: You
met your partner Ginger in Hawaii and as a duo you have both brought
a distinctive flavor in Reggae music called Jawaiian music. Tell us
about what Jawaiian music is about?
Rankin Scroo:
Well see the Jawaiian
music derived because it didn’t sound Reggae to me. Ginger my
partner is Hawaiian born. She played guitar and background vocals.
Being the Jamaican lead singer my terminology every time we went to
play was this is ‘Jawaiian’ music. The only reason why everyone
else in Hawaii even heard the term “Jawaiian” music is because my
keyboardist Butch Helemano (a native Hawaiian in my band) continued
to use the name after I left Hawaii in 1984 calling his music
Jawaiian music.
Livonn: How long have you been performing
with Ginger? What is it like for you and Ginger to perform together
and how has she contributed to your partnership?
Rankin
Scroo: Ginger and I have been performing for about 20
years. Working with her is more than words can describe...
Livonn: Who are some of the artists that you
have recorded with and are there artists that you hope to perform or
record with in the future?
Rankin
Scroo: I recorded with Frankie Paul, Foundation,
Determine, Lutan Fyah, Brimstone, Jah Don, E-40, Too Short, B Legit,
Keak Da Sneak, Tyquan, Skyler Jett to mention a few. I would love
to work with Luciano, Beres Hammond, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley and
Sizzla.
Livonn: Are you at all concerned about the
current trends in Reggae Music like Dancehall or Raggaeton? How
have you found a way to incorporate your musical style with the
styles of other artist?
Rankin
Scroo: I was born and raised with “Dancehall” just
another style of Reggae. High society calls it “boogie yagga” or
“jump up” but it’s Jamaican street music. Now as for “Reggaeton”,
Nando Boom and El General were doing their thing in the early 80’s
but they just now found a genre for it. It’s Reggae music with some
Spanish folks on it. The fact of the matter is, it sounds like Sly
& Robbie’s Bam Bam/Murder She Wrote riddim track. Incorporating or
collaborating with others is easy because I have many styles. I can
adapt as long as I feel di vibes and have a hot subject everyting
kool!
Livonn: How has Hip Hop music played a part
in your musical evolution:
Rankin
Scroo: Well to be honest, Hip Hop is derived from
Reggae. Especially when it comes to the drum and bass with the DJs
or Toasters.
Livonn: When you speak about ‘Urban Music’
what do you want people to overstand?
Rankin Scroo:
I mean international inner city music.
Livonn:
What can you say to young people trying to make a move into the
music industry?
Rankin Scroo:
I want to let young people know that they should learn the
business of music before making a move into the industry of music.
Livonn:
What other projects are you working on?
Rankin Scroo:
I’m working on a documentary short film, keeping up with my
acting skills.
Livonn:
What else would you like people to know about Rankin Scroo?
Rankin Scroo:
That I’m an original songwriter, producer and engineer that performs
and I also have been acting. So I want the people to know that I
couldn’t make it without them. I thank everyone for their support
with all my heart.
Today you can find the self-proclaimed Urban Reggae Godfada
celebrating the release of his 2006 CD release Solid, which
features the talents of Ginger, Frankie Paul, Lutan Fyah
and Jah Don. The flavor is strictly Urban Reggae
mixed with just the right dash of R&B and spiced inna true Jamaican
Dancehall style with songs that can not only shake up the party but
will inject a spiritual consciousness at the same time. This is
especially evident on the song “Above Dem” where Rankin Scroo
entreats, “Rise all you fallen children / Rise and take your
stance again / because you know we are above dem ... (even if your
soul is broken).” It’s clear that, Babylon you can’t hold
we too long caa’ we nah stay lurkin in Babylon for Iver and as
the mantra goes forward on the song, “Lurkin” [which has become one
of my all time favorites] its clear to see that Rankin Scroo has
found a distinctively creative way to chant down wicked men and
trample way Satan sin in true Rasta style! Slowing it down and
spiraling into a Rasta-mantic love song is no problem for
Rankin Scroo as he aptly demonstrates on the beautiful song, “Dream,
Dream” (Dreams of Reality) which he recorded with Lutan Fyah.
Get ready Reggae music lovers, Island Sound Records presents
“Montego to the Bay” The Island Sound Records launch party on
Saturday, March 18th featuring Rankin Scroo who will be
performing songs from his new CD release, Solid at the MLK,
2232 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland, California. Also
performing will be Binghi Ghost, Vybez House Crew and
3 Strikes hosted by Rocker T. Be there!
Door: $12 Limited
$7 Presale tickets can be purchased at
http://www.collectiv.com.
More information about Rankin Scroo can be found on his website at
http://www.rankinscroo.com/
Blessed Love
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