Super Cat | |
|---|---|
.png) Super Cat performing in 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Anthony Maragh |
| Also known as | Wild Apache |
| Born | (1963-06-25)25 June 1963 (age 61) Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Deejay |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels | |
William Anthony Maragh (born 25 June 1963),[1] also known asSuper Cat, is a Jamaicandeejay who achieved widespread popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990sdancehall movement. His nickname, "Wild Apache", was given to him by his mentorEarly B.[1] Super Cat is considered one of the greatest deejays in the history of the Jamaican dancehall scene.
Born to anAfro-Jamaican mother andIndo-Jamaican father,[2] Super Cat was raised in Kingston's tough Seivright Gardens neighbourhood, then known as Cockburn Pen, home to ground-breakingdeejays likePrince Jazzbo andU-Roy.[1] At the age of seven the Soul Imperialsound system allowed him to assist them at a local club called Bamboo Lawn. He auditioned forJoe Gibbs as a singer but was unsuccessful.[3]
He began appearing as a deejay under the name Cat-A-Rock, but soon switched to the name Super Cat.[4] He also appeared as 'Wild Apache'.[4] His first single "Mr. Walker", produced byWinston Riley, was released in 1981 and established his recording career. He went on to record forJah Thomas ("Walk-a-ton," on which he was billed as 'Super Cat the Indian'),[2] but his career was interrupted by a period of incarceration.[4] After his release he began working with Early B on theKillamanjaro sound system in 1984,[3] and his debut album,Si Boops Deh!, was released in 1985, and included the hit singles "Boops" (which was based onSteely & Clevie's updated "Feel Like Jumping" rhythm and sparked a craze for songs aboutsugar daddies),[2] and "Cry Fi De Youth", establishing his style ofdancehall with conscious lyrics.[4]
He started his own Wild Apache Productions label and began producing his recordings, including the 1988 albumSweets for My Sweet.[4] He featured on the albumCabin Stabbin' in 1991 along withNicodemus and Junior Demus.[1] He had been scheduled to perform at the One Love concert in the UK in 1991, but his appearance was cancelled after the shooting death ofNitty Gritty, for which Super Cat was initially suspected but cleared in 1992.[5] Continuing success saw him move to the United States and sign a contract withColumbia Records, releasing one of the first dancehall albums on a major label,Don Dada (1992).[4] The following year,Sony Music issuedThe Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and the Crazy, teaming Super Cat with Nicodemus, Junior Demus and Junior Cat.[4]
Super Cat had a number of hit singles in the early 1990s, including "Don Dada", "Ghetto Red Hot" and "Dem No Worry We" with Heavy D. In 1992, he was featured on the remix of "Jump" withKris Kross,[5] and he also collaborated with them in 1993 for their song "Alright". These hits made himThe Source magazine dance hall artist of the year in 1993.[1] He was also an early collaborator withThe Notorious B.I.G., featuring the then relatively unknown artist (along withMary J. Blige,3rd Eye andPuff Daddy) on the B-side remix of "Dolly My Baby" in 1993.[6] The title song, "Don Dada" was a reply to many jabs made by Ninjaman.[7]
His version ofFats Domino's "My Girl Josephine", performed with Jack Radics, was included in the soundtrack to the filmPrêt-à-Porter in 1994.[4] In 1997, he was featured on the hit single "Fly" bySugar Ray from their albumFloored, which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and remained there for four weeks.[8] He collaborated withIndia.Arie on her hit song "Video" in 2001, and withJadakiss andThe Neptunes on "The Don of Dons" in 2003. Later in 2003, he collaborated with112 for their song "Na Na Na Na." Following the death of his longtime road manager Fred 'The Thunder' Donner in 2004, Super Cat released a multi-cd tribute album entitledReggaematic Diamond All-Stars that featured contributions fromYami Bolo,Michael Prophet,Linval Thompson,Nadine Sutherland andSizzla among others.
Super Cat reappeared on the national reggae scene in 2009 for a show atMadison Square Garden withBuju Banton andBarrington Levy. He also headlined the 'Best of the Best' concert in Miami in 2008, with Etana,Barrington Levy,Buju Banton, Junior Reid, Tony Matterhorn,Sizzla andBeenie Man. In 2012, his song "Dance Inna New York" was sampled for theNas single "The Don," from the rapper's albumLife Is Good, with Cat's vocals used as the hook. Super Cat made a surprise appearance at Massive B's on Da Reggae Tip concert in September 2013 during the set ofShaggy. That same week, a mix of his work previously recorded during his time with The Neptunes label was released to the internet.[9]
In May 2014 he headlined the Reggae on the Bay festival inTrinidad with Maxi Priest and Midnite,[10] and in 2016 he joined Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Tarrus Riley and Luciano for the "Reggae Sumfest" in Jamaica.[11] Super Cat teamed up with noted producer Salaam Remi again in 2020, releasing the single "Push Time," along with amusic video shot in Queens, and later featured on Remi's albumBlack on Purpose.[12] In 2021, Super Cat appeared at the VERZUZ Iconz concert in Brooklyn at the Barclay's Center dubbed the "Trillerverz," as part of a two day event that featured Wyclef Jean, Konshens, Baby Cham, and Barrington Levy on day one and Big Daddy Kane and KRS-One on day two.[13] Super Cat co-headlined the "Reggae Love Fest" at Radio City Music Hall with Shabba Ranks in May of 2022, which also featured Barrington Levy, Junior Reid, Cutty Ranks, and Dawn Penn.[14]
Super Cat is the elder brother of reggae artist Junior Cat and first cousin of reggae singer Marcia Griffiths, who's 1967 hit “Feel Like Jumping,” was part of the rhythmic basis for his first massive hit single "Boops," which later became known as the "Boops" riddim.[15]
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [16] | AUS [17] | BEL (FL) [17] | BEL (WA) [17] | NZ [18] | ||
| "It Fe Done" | 1992 | 66 | — | — | — | — |
| "My Girl Josephine" (featuringJack Radics) | 1995 | 22 | 26 | 33 | 40 | 6 |
| "Girlstown" | 66 | — | — | — | 33 | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
