Toyan

Toyan aka Ranking Toyan was a Jamaican reggae deejay active since the mid-1970s and best known for his early 1980s recordings.

Biography

Toyan began his career in 1974, deejaying on Kingston's sound systems, such as Socialist Roots and Romantic HiFi. He recorded his debut single, "Disco Pants" in the late 1970s for producer Don Mais. He went on to work extensively with Joseph Hoo Kim and Jah Thomas, resulting in a string of hits including "Girls Nowadays", "Kill No Man", "John Tom", and "Talk of the Town", as well as combination hits with The Mighty Diamonds, Badoo, and Freddie McGregor. In 1981, he joined Henry "Junjo" Lawes' Volcano Sound system, and toured Canada. With Lawes, he recorded the album How the West Was Won, which is regarded as his best work, and went on to produce his own work and that of others such as Billy Boyo and Anthony Johnson. He toured the United Kingdom with the Jah Prophecy band and performed in Jamaica alongside Dennis Brown.
He was murdered in Jamaica in 1991 with Littel John present allegedly over the ownership of a gun.

Albums

How The West Was Won Greensleeves
Toyan J&L
Superstar Yellowman Has Arrived With Toyan Joe Gibbs
DJ Clash Volcano/Greensleeves
Spar With Me Jah Guidance
Ghetto Man Skank Silver Camel
DJ Daddy Upfront
Nice Time Jam Rock/Pre
Every Posse Want Me Live & Learn
Murder Vista Sounds
Hot Bubble Gum Power House
Early Days Roots Tradition