Mama Christie was Shabba’s cheerleader

4 years ago

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Constance Christie, more commonly called ‘Mama Christie’, who is the mother of dancehall superstar Shabba Ranks, is dead.

Christie died on Tuesday at 81 years old. It is unclear the circumstances related to her death.

‘Mama Christe became a name that Jamaican know in the 1980s, during the pinnacle of Shabba Ranks’ career, as he would constantly talk about her in interviews and even mentioned her in the lyrics of some of his songs.

Many individuals in the entertainment fraternity, including Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, expressed their regret at Christie’s passing.

According to Grange, who managed Shabba Ranks during the heydays, his love for his mother started a trend that many younger artistes continued, by recognising their mothers in songs.

“Shabba would talk about his ‘Mama Christie’ at every opportunity that he got. She was a beautiful soul who supported her son in all his endeavours. She was his highest cheerleader.

“In fact, it was Shabba’s public display of love and affection that led to so many younger artistes singing about their mothers,” Grande said.