Dexta Daps Remembers Shabba Ranks’ Mother ‘Mama Christie’ As “A Blessing”

Dancehall artist Dexta Daps is among those deeply grieving the loss of ‘Mama Christie’, the mother of the legendary Dancehall star Shabba Ranks. The Seaview Gardens ‘community mother’, whose name was Constance Christie, passed away yesterday after a long battle with illness at age 81.

In an Instagram post today, Daps shared a tribute to the woman, whom he had shined the spotlight on, for her generosity in 2016’s Shabba Madda Pot .

“U r a blessing to this earth…. A music mother. A community mother, and the mother of royalty Shabba Ranks. She was 1 of my 1st inspirations… As a yute growing up, ppl from my community including myself, got to witness a different kind of courtesy,” he wrote in the caption of a clip from the 2016 music video in which Mama Christie made a cameo.

The artist remembered sneaking off to Mama Christie’s house for soup, even though his own mother preferred him not to take things from anyone.

“Being a part of the less fortunate, I didn’t know what owning a toy was like till she handed me a “draw back car” smh… years after this,, she still calls me to her home just to share encouraging words and pray for me… she was a full blown Christian…” he added.

Daps also recalled asking her to make an appearance in the Shabba Madda Pot video. “When I asked her to be in my video, she said she would ask God b4 I could get an answer… She told me it was her 1st ever music video n she doesn’t normally do things like that but this is special…”

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“I still can’t imagine not seeing her n squeezing her n laughing n reasoning… 😥 Still can’t find it to say I miss u cause I still can’t imagine u gone…😭😭😭”

When Dexta Daps broke the news of Mama Christie’s death yesterday, it appeared that many fans and fellow Dancehall artists had assumed it was his own mother. He, however, sent his condolences to the matriarch’s family and friends, saying “Wull it Shabba Wull It Buju Wull it Ryan n the whole family…..Condolences to Mama A… ik thats ur best friend”.

Bounty Killer, who was famous for his close relationship with his late mother, also sent his condolences. “Condolences goes to @shabbaranksofficial and his family on the passing of his mother the well beloved Mama Christy rest well Aunty sad street!” he said.

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Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, has also expressed deep sadness at the passing of Christie. Minister Grange along with Clifton “Specialist” Dillon had managed Shabba Ranks’ career for many years.

“Shabba would talk about ‘Mama Christie’ at every opportunity he got. She was a beautiful soul who supported her son in all his endeavours. She was his biggest cheerleader. In fact, it was Shabba’s public display of love and affection that led to so many younger artistes singing about their mothers,” Grange said.