"...leggo couple rat and couple roach inside," ...A line from Big Pop aka Land Lord's hit 'Rent Money Due'.
The young, fresh and talented Ricardo Rankin aka ‘Big Pop' or ‘Land Lord' has made a major leap, bringing fun and consciousnesses back into Jamaica's dancehall scene. Armed with witty lyrics, a dominant stage presence and smooth melodies, Big Pop shows great potential.
Ricardo's stage name came about while attending Ascot High School. “My school always had Inter-Form Football Competitions and my class decided that we should have an alias written on the back of our jerseys. Because of my weight, they always called me something along with the word ‘big'. Being the class DJ, a schoolmate of mine said, “You a big artiste and me know se.h you a go pop out big! Why don't you use ‘Big Pop' as your name?” From then I said ok, but the name Big Poppa was already taken. So, to make it new I just shortened it to ‘Big Pop'. Then the name stuck.”
Growing up for Ricardo began in Jones Avenue, Spanish Town. His first musical endeavour was singing on the choir at Church of God of Prophecy, Jones Avenue. His musical influences include Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel and Papa San.
“I sing ‘bout the girls, the crime and violence happening in the ghetto and of course, the rent money!” he laughed as he told Daflex.net of what he uses as material for his songs. Big Pop is currently working with the Get Up Youths Label and Imbue Entertainment as management.
Big Pop has graced the stages of Sting (2003 - 2007), Campfire (2004 - 2005), Portmore Awards, East Fest, Mischief, DeLa Splash, Jamboree, Asylum's Anniversary party and Stone Love's Anniversary party. According to Manager, Milton Campbell, he was well received.
His most embarrassing moment as an entertainer was at the Asylum Night Club. “When I just came into the business I usually performed with a ‘Tritanium', a fresh act as myself. We decided that we would build a crew and go around performing. We had a gig went to perform at Asylum. When I started to sing and it was his time to perform, he just stood there on stage…looking at me. Me just run leff him!” He recalls his happiest moment as performing at Sting.
His hit song ‘Babylon A Hide And Seek' is number 8 on the London chart on On Top FM. ‘Mr. Brown', ‘Call Me Dutty Land Lord' ‘Rent Money Due' (on the Sean Kingston rhythm), ‘Man A Try Fi Keep The Peace' are some of Big Pop's originals. ‘Baby Girl Don't Be Shy', was done with fellow young act Droop Dog. He has also collaborated with Singer J, Power Man, Ruffian, Hitlist, Greasy Cat, Future Fambo and Rum Head.
For ‘2000 and Great', Big Pop plans to produce only hits. Hard work, getting shows overseas and staying focused are his priorities as it concerns his musical career. His advice to upcoming artistes is to ‘leggo di hype'. Be honest, positive and keep focused.
Big Pop aka Land Lord, making it big with his music.
Contact:
IMBUE ENTERTAINMENT
301-4926
EMAIL: dubmusicbox@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/bigpopakalandlord
