Mr. Balance


New biography update is due Snagga Puss could well be called the Proteus of Jamaican music. Like the old Grecian sea God who was capable of constantly changing into various shapes, Snagga has been, basically, the same shape and form for the last decade, but in that period he has switched from being Jamaica's most promising rapper, as Dicky Ranks, to dancehall deejay Snagga Puss, a character based on the Yogi Bear character Snaggle Puss. But even has Snagga Puss, he has found it difficult to remain constant, in fear of becoming stale, has introduced into his style character such as Woody Woodpecker and Popeye and is even considering projects for this year is a remix of his dancehall hit, 'Woody Woodpecker', on which he plans to do rapping, as well as a rap video on his 'Popeye'. Born Norman Suppria in Arnett Gardens (Concrete Jungle), one of the city of Kingston's roughest ghettoes, Snagga had to struggle as one of a family of sixteen(16) brothers and sisters deserted by their father who emigrated to Canada leaving his mother to raise then all on their own. As Snagga explained, his mother taught them to bear their hardship in a spirit of honesty and determination. He chose music. He actually started out as a deejay before switching to rap as Dicky Ranks in the 1980's. But, rap didn't catch on in Kingston as he would have hoped and he moved to New York to cool out for a while. "When I came back from New York in 1992, nothing was going on for me. People used to mouth me and say that I was a dead stock. So I decided that I needed that I needed a comeback and I turned to the Father of God for help in finding a style of my own. The Father came to my aid one afternoon while I was watching Yogi Bear on television", he explained. "I really love cartoons and I was watching this show 'Yogi's Treasure Hunt' when I saw Snagga Puss in it. It made me laugh so much I started to practice imitating him and begging God's help to make me conquer it". Snagga became so obsessed with the character that he would practice it wherever he went. Then, in November 1992, he got a chance to try this new style at a concert for the children in Kingston. "I asked the kids if they knew Snagga and they all said, "yes". He knew immediately that his prayer had been answered. Dicky Ranks became Snagga Puss. Shocking Vibes quickly rushed him into the studio to record some songs, including 'Can't Cook', which was followed by 'Ex-lover' and 'Merl'. 'Carry Go Bring Come', which he did with Freddie McGregor, 'Give It Up', which he did with Junior Tucker. Eventually he got an advertisement contract to promote Beta Milk, a whole milk product. His first album was dedicated to the Jamaican athletic star Merlene Ottey and was titled, 'Whoop Dem Merlene'. In 1994 he had a big single called 'Tatie', which also introduced a new dance. In 1995 he had a number of hits including 'Girls Roll Call' as well as 'Woody Woodpecker' which introduced his new style and 'Popeye' another new style he has been developing. Since 1994, he has toured several European countries with the Shocking Vibes Crew and has introduced several new dances, including 'The Urkles' named after the actor in the T.V sitcom, 'Family Matters' played by Jaleel White. So don't take your eyes off Snagga Puss for a minute, because by the time you open them again Snagga could be someone else.