Tiger is one of the most entertaining artists throughout the dancehall era. Born 1960 in Kingston, Jamaica as Norman Washington Jackson, he’s better known by his stage name Tiger.  Known for his real life tiger style of djing, his unique vocal characterized by a growling and multi-voiced delivery sets him apart from other dancehall deejays. As a top dancehall entertainer, he’s often imitated by other deejays since his initial rise to fame.

He first recorded as a singer under the name Ranking Tiger, with his first single being “Why Can’t You Leave Dreadlocks Alone” in 1978 for producer Phillip Grant. In the early 1980’s he began working as a dj with the Black Star Sound System, often performing alongside fellow deejay Bruk Back and singer Anthony Malvo.

In the mid 80’s he had several local hits including “Don is Don”, “No Wanga Gut” and “No Puppy Love”. The crowd pleaser was signed by Mango Records, who released his first album “Me Name Tiger” in 1986.The following year he became a major star in the Jamaican music scene, known for a style that has been described as “totally different”, and recorded for various producers including, King Jammy’s, Harry J, Sly & Robbie, Gussie Clarke, Donovan Germain, Phillip “Fattis” Burrell and Steely & Clevie. Jackson began producing his own recordings and started his own “Tiger” label in 1989. He became one of the first reggae artists to cross over into the US hip hop scene when he did a duet with the Fat Boys on “T’ings Nah Guh Suh”. The collaboration demonstrated his ability to connect with a broader audience. He reunited with Steely & Clevie in 1991 to produce the single “Cool Me Down”, which was included on the soundtrack of the 1993 film “Cool Runnings”. Jackson kept recording for various producers, unleashing a barrage of hits like “Yuh dead now”, “Love me baby”, “Bam Bam”, “Crying fool”, “Beep beep move over” and more.  The “Ram Dancehall” dj broadened his horizon with collaborations from Sly Dunbar, R&B group Brand New Heavies and Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. Success continued in the 1990’s after dropping the chart topping single “When”, enabling him to sign a deal with Columbia Records. Though short lived, his only album for the label was “Claws of the Cat” in 1993.

In January 1994, Jackson was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. The incident was a tragic turning point in Tiger’s life, affecting his voice and ability to perform to his previous capacity. He suffered serious head injuries and his recovery process was slow. However, his resilience was evident when he returned to live performances in 2003 as part of the “Dons of Dancehall” UK tour in 2003. He also appeared at Reggae Sumfest alongside deejay Kiprich in 2007, as well as the 2010 “Ree-wind and Come Again” in New York, which included a host of dancehall performers from the 80’s and early 90’s.

Tiger influenced many djs in his career, including hip hop legends Busta Rhymes and Swiss Beatz, highlighting the impact of his artistry beyond the Jamaican music scene. In 2017, a charity concert dubbed “Tribute to Tiger” was held at the popular Olympia Crown Hotel(Hotel Celeb) to raise funds in support of his recovery. The performers included Tiger’s children, Tiger Cub and Rhiality, as well as Tiger’s nephew, Inamik, Empress Nana, Obie Ranks, Genuine Blade, and Wayne Head. Tiger suffered a minor stroke and was helped by Bounty Killer’s plea on social media and others via Real Helping Hand fund. His daughter is instrumental in his recovery and continues to care for him. The involvement of his children, as well as other performers, reflects the respect and admiration for his legacy within the music community. Tiger’s story is a testament to the resilience of artists and the enduring impact they can have on the cultural landscape. We wish him continued recovery and support from his family, friends, and fans.