British reggae star on the rise Gappy Ranks (or Jacob Lee Williams to his mates) is an interesting exception to the rule. Initially uninterested in playing the interview game, Ranks’ whole demeanour changes when the focus is switched from the usual sales patter about his impending visit to Australia, which includes a performance at The Espy (“Yeah I can’t wait,” he says with mild excitement. “It is going to be a long journey but it is all part of it” is his brief response to an opening question about his impending visit, though he does later admit he is looking forward to doing a bit of “promotion and networking”), to those of a more personal nature. He suddenly became an open book when asked about his troubled past. His tone instantly eases as he admits, “I incorporate everything I have gone through and everything I am going through. I pay respect to everything I will go through. I just see it as part of the journey and that is what people connect with, when you are being real. Especially with reggae music, which is music by the people for the people.”
Having been in trouble with the police at a young age, Ranks found himself homeless at his lowest moment before finding an inner strength to rebuild himself for a brighter future. While he is aware that there is not the same creative salvation for everyone, he sees his own troubled past as a point of appeal for his listeners. “I just tell my stories which relate to other people’s stories and so they connect with that. Whatever doesn’t knock you down just makes you stronger. Everything happens for a reason, you know what I mean?”
“Music has always been a talent of mine and a dream of mine. It was always a priority and a goal. It gave me a target. I always knew that with hard work, passion and determination I could get there.” While Ranks admits that he always knew there would be a light at the end of the tunnel, he is hoping that his tale of trial and tribulation will in time teach others that life really is what you make it. Speaking of his success he states, “It is just proof that everything can be overcome. That alone shows that I had the strength to reach where I am now. It is actually happening now.”
With an ever-increasing eloquence as he delivers his humble responses, Ranks is seemingly aware of the significance his story holds for the disillusioned youth in his home country. With a real optimism for the future he concedes, “Every day I am learning and every day I am maturing. The fact that the people from the community I come from can see what I am achieving just shows them that with the same passion – they can achieve.”
“Where I come from, the community I grew up in, people have died from gun crime and all the different types of stuff people go through. I am not coming from a pretty place. People will either be in jail or the cemetery. It saved me from that. I just give thanks for that.” Hailing from Harlesden in North London, Ranks is fully aware of the troubles that provoked the recent riots, however it becomes quickly evident that while he empathises with their pain, he is an advocate of the school of hard work. When reflecting upon his own change in fortunes, it is clear that he believes that it was the adversity which steered him towards success. He reveals he took it “Just one day at a time, knowing that everybody has their time. When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose, so you have to be able to accept change and sacrifices. All of these I have applied to my music and am still applying to my life.”
“I am still finding myself. Obviously you can’t help anybody else until you help yourself, so I am still helping myself.” While he may now have his own record label and an ever-increasing global fanbase, Ranks is the first to admit that his journey of growth is far from complete. “As your success grows, your outlook changes. I am getting to know myself more. I get to see that the world is a lot bigger than where I hang out.” However, it is equally apparent that his main motivation is a world away from a selfish ego trip. When asked who inspires him, his response is instant. “I’d have to say my community. I come from a place that has nothing. No opportunity. But the times are changing for me right now and hopefully others can see that change. I live in a place where everybody sees and everybody knows. I’d like to think that people in my community can see what I have done so they can think about what they can do.”
BY JEREMY WILLIAMS
