Tracing the Journey of Winston Brown — the deejay who rose with Ray Symbolic and fell into crime

Birth name: Winston Brown (also known as Robert Anthony Blackwood), born May 9, 1956, in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica

Grew up in the Rema and Tivoli ghettos of Kingston

Took on the stage name Ranking Dread, later adopting aliases like Errol Codling and Michael Dicks

Gained prominence on Jamaica’s Ray Symbolic sound system during the mid‑1970s

After relocating to London in the late 1970s, he joined Lloyd Coxsone’s sound system, performing alongside notable UK reggae acts

Ranking Dread – Super Star

Ranking Dread – Love A Dub

Ranking Dread – Fattie Boom Boom

Ranking Dread & Errol Dunkley - Holding On 12"

Ranking Dread – Shut Me Mouth

Ranking Dread – Loving Devotion

Cornell Campbell, Ranking Dread – Bandulu Hard Times - Extended 12 Version

Ranking Dread – Come Sister Come

Ranking Dread – Wha Go a Africa

Ranking Dread – Nuh Trouble Natty Dread

Ranking Dread – A Wha We Do

Ranking Dread - Tubys Dub Plate Mix

Ranking Dread / Roots Radics – Dub It On Jah (Mix by Scientist)

Ranking Dread – Jump Up Dub (Mix by King Tubby)