The Ramping Shop Family Honors Three People For Their Contribution to Reggae
The Ramping Shop Family, an organization of Jamaicans based in the United States, honored three people for their contribution to reggae at the August 14 edition of Dancehall Thursday in Kingston, Jamaica.
Caption: Gairy Webb (second from left) of The Ramping Shop Family presents a trophy to Whitfield “Witty” Henry, music producer and promoter of the weekly Uptown Mondays dance, at the August 14th edition of Dancehall Thursday in Kingston, Jamaica. Looking on are Papa Michigan (left), Aubrey Douglas and sound system operator Beetle Bailey.Those acknowledged were Allan “Skill” Cole, Whitfield “Witty” Henry and Oneil “Oneil Famous” Darby, promoter of the popular weekly event. Each man received a trophy.
“The three gentlemen have been making impactful contributions to the reggae music industry for decades. In the case of Skill Cole, not only has he made contributions to the reggae music industry, primarily as the former manager of Bob Marley, but is well known for his contributions to soccer in Jamaica,” said Gairy Webb of the Ramping Shop Family.
Cole, 75, is arguably Jamaica’s greatest soccer player. He was a major star during the 1970s, playing in Jamaica and Brazil; he also had a stint in the burgeoning American league in the late 1960s.
He and Marley were close friends. Cole is credited as the writer of War, from Rastaman Vibration, the reggae legend’s 1976 album.
Since 2001, Witty has promoted the wildly-popular Uptown Mondays dance in Kingston. Prior to that, he was a leading figure on the New York City reggae scene through his Music Master and Witty labels.
He produced Shelly Thunder’s Kuff, Teach The Youths by Barrington Levy, Sluggy Ranks’ 95 % Black, and Take Time to Know Her by Tinga Stewart and Ninjaman.
Oneil Famous started his career as a deejay, recording a number of songs before starting Dancehall Thursday several years ago.
The Ramping Shop Family also presented a cheque for an undisclosed sum to veteran deejay Major Mackerel to assist with his medical expenses. Known for songs like Pretty Looks Done and Don Man, he lost a portion of his right leg to diabetes five years ago.
