The Legendary Dancehall Reggae Artist, Super Cat was born on June 25Th 1963 in Kingston Jamaica's Seivright Gardens neighborhood. Born by his birth name William Maragh to a Indo-Jamaican Father & Afro-Jamaican Mother, and eldest brother of Dancehall star, Junior Cat. After a quick stage name change from "Cat-A-Rock" to "Super Cat" & a stretch of incarceration, Super Cat jumped to Worldwide super stardom throughout The 80s & 90s.
From his first-ever single in 1981, produced by Winston Riley, "Mr. Walker" Cat made his mark from the start, that he was on the rise and going straight to the top of the charts. Check out Cat's debut track below:
Super Cat - Mr. Walker
After his incarceration {Cat went to prison for being apart of the 1980 riots during the Jamaican general elections. Cat has apparently never hid his political affiliations with The People's National Party {The PNP}. He shared a cell block with future Dancehall star, Junior Reid. As a matter of fact, Cat was in the cell next to him.} Super Cat then joined with his mentor & the man that gave him the nickname "Wild Apache", Early B, to begin work on his debut album which would be titled "Si Boops Deh!".
The album would be released in the mid-80s with the lead tracks that would be classics, "Boops" & "Cry Fi De Youth" {his foray into establishing himself as a conscious Dancehall artist with a conscious style of music} & "Big and Ready" Check out the cuts below from Cat:
Following the success of his debut album, he then released in 1986, his sophomore album titled after one of his first hits from his previous album, "Boops!"
Besides the re-release of the hit "Boops" on the album Cat had some cool cuts such as what you can have a listen to below:
In the late 80s, Cat started his own label titled "Wild Apache Productions" {which is still around today}.
The first album to come from his label was "Sweets For My Sweet" released in 1988. The album was his 3rd album.
Included in the album were some classic cuts such as "Come Down" & "Bubble and Wine" which are found below:
Super Cat's 4Th album overall & 1st collaborative effort came when he teamed up with Nicodemus & Junior Demus for 1991's "Cabin Stabbin" album. The album was the 2nd under Cat's label, Wild Apache Productions.
The album's title lead track was of the same name and is a crowd pleaser to this very day amongst old school Dancehall Reggae aficionados. Check it out below:
A few things that was of note for Cat in 1991 was him being suspected behind the murder of popular Jamaican singer, Nitty Gritty. He was later cleared of the charges but it certainly was a trying time for Cat during the entire ordeal.
Then another note worthy moment in 1991 came for Cat in the form of a still talked about Legendary Clash during 1991's STING annual concert held in Jamaica with Clash King, Ninjaman. View the clip below:
Battle tested both in & out of the Dancehalls, Super Cat made history shortly after moving to the United States and signing to a major label deal with Columbia Records. He became one of the first to ever release a Dancehall album on a major label. That album was the first of 4 that he released through Columbia and became arguably his most successful album of his career. That album, was titled "Don Dada" released in 1992.
It was this album, that I personally became the biggest fan of Cat. One of my favorite if not thee favorite Reggae track of mine is "Ghetto Red Hot" {The Hip-Hop Version}. But instead of me telling you, how about, I give you a listen to my favorite tracks off this classic album:
In 1992 & 1993, Super Cat was featured on many prominent remixes & killer tracks, here is some of the more notable tracks from the "Don Dada" below:
Cat was everywhere in the early 90s then as he was blowing up into the mainstream and becoming a bigger star than ever, he dropped his 6Th Album, 2nd collaborative album & 2nd for Columbia titled: "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly & The Crazy" with younger brother, Junior Cat & his old crew of Junior Demus & Nicodemus in 1994.
The fierce foursome dropped some jewels including some old re-done classics such as "Vineyard Party" from Cat & his classic with Junior Demus & Nicodemus, "Cabin Stabbin". But, my favorite was the crazy track, "Scalp Dem":
Super Cat then in 1995 dropped his 5Th solo album and 7Th Album overall which was his 3rd album for Columbia titled "The Struggle Continues".
The standout cuts I pulled from the album were some of my personal favorites as well. Which are found below:
The "Don Dada" seemed to have disappeared for a few years after recording "Fly" with Sugar Ray in 1997. Then with India.Airie on her song "Video" in 2001. He, then re-appeared having dropped his 8Th Studio Album & 3rd collaborative album with Mad Cobra in 2003 titled "Take 2". He appeared on tracks with Jadakiss & The Neptunes {"The Don Of Dons"} & with 112 {"Na Na Na"} also all in 2003.
2004, he released his last album which was his 9Th & final album to date titled "Reggaematic Diamond All-Stars" which was a tribute to his then recently deceased road manager, Fred "The Thunder" Donner. The album was released under his own label, Wild Apache Productions.
Then, fans such as myself, lost track of Super Cat. He disappeared. I had heard back in 2005 that he was on the receiving end of an arrest & alleged beating from the Police. But, it's not something that I can really confirm, but I am sure that the Cat
did of course bounce back hence his appearance{s} a few years later. Then imagine my surprise when I saw this on Toronto's own Kardinal Offishall's official YouTube channel back in early 2007:
Man, was I happy to see Super Cat burst back onto the scene in a big way having signed with another major label with The Neptunes. He had that crowd in Puerto Rico rocking and his patnas on stage in awe of him. Since then, Cat's supposed contract with The Star Trak crew never went anywhere and was only announced to those in attendance that night in Puerto Rico.
Throughout the years, Cat has shown up here and there doing shows and rocking the stage with the stars of today. Including, most recently, the track below from 2012, with Nas sampling Cat's 82' classic "Dance Inna New York" for his hit tune "The Don" off his album "Life Is Good". The Cat added some vocals to the track as well. Have a listen:
Oh, before I close off this great look at one of the most influential Dancehall artist ever, did I mention, Super Cat is an incredible Live Performer? Well have a look at some of those moments over the years where what you got on record was nothing like seeing him live:
Super Cat. Born from nothing and becoming one of the greatest musicians that I have ever had the pleasure of following. His story is one that can only be told by those that know him best. Me? I am just a fan, I grew up listening to his music and watching him dominant Dancehall music for over 30 years.
At 49 years of age, Cat can still pack them in. He a few years ago did Madison Square Garden in New York and even was a feature guest in a huge Reggae show in Japan. He is truly international and a house hold name.
God bless The King of Dancehall, William "Super Cat" Maragh. He is alive, well and still kicking ass whenever he feels like it. But for those that love him and cherish the legacy he has left:
SUPER CAT Will Never Ever Be Forgotten!!!
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* Until Next Time Everyone, *
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