Sensi The Rankin King
There is a Sesotho proverb that goes: Moja pele o tshwana le Moja Morao; akin to: He who laughs last, laughs the longest. Sensi Rankin, Reggae Dancehall newest sensation from Lesotho will soon be laughing his way to the charts. His debut album, The Afro Raggamufin King, released in May 2023 under Powertainment Reggae Sound, will steer him in that direction. The debut was followed by a riveting performance at the Mzansi Dancehall Reggae Red Carpet Show in Johannesburg, South Africa, signalling the arrival of the Afro Raggamuffin King.
Sensi Rankin is a Reggae Dancehall artist from Lesotho and is based in South Africa. His alias is derived from the highest of grades, Sensimilla; because people used to comment on how much he loved Marijuana. The Ranking part, explains Sensi, “is about the pattern of Reggae flow on the riddim. We have the Rankings, The Bantons and so on, so I am The Ranking, Inspired by Emperor Shabba Ranking.’
His given name is Motebang David Mongake, born in New Europa, a neighbourhood in Maseru, the capital city of the Kingdom of Lesotho. He grew up singing in choral groups, an intuitive act that would serve him well later and steer him towards his focal point of being a fully established musician.
He moved to South Africa to study at the Creare Training Center School of the Arts, in Bloemfontein, then later to Johannesburg in Yeoville. There he met his mentor Mr. Gabriel Brown, popularly known as Elder Blue, who repatriated from Clarendon, Jamaica. Elder Blue introduced him to Reggae and Dancehall, not just the music, but the culture as well as the patios and lifestyle. ‘Reggae originates from Jamaica,’ he explains, ‘so my first influences naturally are from there. Learning from well established artists who made it before me inspires me a lot, Artists like Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Mad Cobra with his military infused ragga style and many more.’
Sensi briefly returned to Lesotho, He appeared in the Lesotho and DSTV soap opera “Our Times” as one of the featured actors. It was during this period that he became a member of RaggaVybz, one of Lesotho’s prominent Reggae Dancehall Crew, which included Chere Selectah Cheh Mongangane, Don Guru Banton, Selectah Biggz, AP General, Mellow Apocalypse, Selectah Talisman, and himself Sensi rounded up the group of 7. RaggaVybz performed at the 2016 Annual Africa Unite Festival in Leribe, Lesotho. Don Power Rudebwoy Shuffla; the founder of Powertainment Reggae Sound was impressed by Sensi’s captivating performance. They connected there, six years later, Jeanette, his debut single,came out under Powertainment.
He had begun performing in various Johannesburg clubs, primarily The House of Tandoor in Yeoville. Additionally, he performed frequently at the popular Thursday Ragga Nights hosted by African Storm Sound System at Bassline in Newtown, Johannesburg. He opened for Gemini Major, Winky D at the Africa Unite Festival in Rustenburg. In Lesotho, he shared the stage with notable Jamaican artists including Mega Banton and Turbulence, Macka Diamond and Chivia from the US. He cites the 11th Annual Reggae Sumfest where he performed alongside the SAMA (South African Music Awards) winner Bongo Riot, as one of the Highlights of his career to date.
But it was a ruggy road that still lay ahead of him, as he tried to navigate the ever changing hostile entertainment industry. He recalls the early years when he was starting off in the biz: ‘My entry became a rough one into the Reggae recording world,’ he intones, ‘ because it took me a really long time to come out with a product of my hard work. Believe me, my Manager from Powertainment Reggae Sound paid for three consecutive album recordings that would crush before completion and I would start over recording new tracks, something I totally never expected. Still, I would bear good patience and it is fortunately paying off as people appreciate and support my music in a way I never expected. So much love. It’s a great feeling to receive positive vybz from di ppl.’
Patience did pay off in the end. Afro Raggamuffin King got its official release and is now on rotation in Radio stations in Lesotho, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Ultimate Fm Lesotho, Radio Lesotho and Setsoto Fm in South Africa has been showing so much love for the entire Album. The 16 track Album includes the bangers “Anabella” produced by Soulpvibes, where Sensi is featured by Risky Kid, from Nigeria. There is Starkid Ibile and Botanist on the Hitsong “Gucci & Prada”, Babatunde outta Lesotho on another hit “Gimmi Marijuana”, Pressor on the Club Banger “Mamacita”, and K-Just on another hitsong “Stripper”. True to its variety of offering, The album was produced by multiple producers; Levels production from Zimbabwe, Botanist Mr Lamington, Lavoro Duro, South Africa, Soulpvibes Nigeria and Zeus Beats.He was fortunate to have worked with producers who he connected well with. He explains that ‘ they were all supportive and dedicated, but the one I enjoyed working with most was my sessions with Botanist.’
Though it took a long interrupted winding time to finally release, Sensi reflects fondly on the making of the Album:
‘Every time I listen to a riddim, I get certain emotions, and these emotions formulate a visualization of a certain event in my head, then automatically I have lyrics pouring out. I never use old lyrics because like I mentioned earlier, every riddim gets its story depending on the mood of that moment it is first received. Then I listen to the instruments in the beat individually so as to come up with a melody that would correspond perfectly.’
When pressed to choose which is his favourite track on the Album he says: ‘My best track is World Peace. The world is in such a turmoil, there are wars and rumours of wars and we all have to take responsibility to restore peace. I remember I cried when I wrote the lyrics of this song and it was in 2022 a few weeks after the war in Ukraine started.’
And the final product, his offering to the Reggae Dancehall world, a mashup of different genres; Afro Raggamuffin King, The Album, was truly a labour of love and patience. It put on display his versatility, his experiences, his musical journey, trials and tribulations and talent. He can be trusted to deliver on any stage in multiple genres.
This down to earth, dedicated husband who loves to pursue good vibes is also a good listener and a Brother’s Keeper. He has established his own foundation called “Rankin Nation” to give back to the community. He is married to Jeanett Ramoruti also known as Jeany Ranks who is also his Personal Assistant. “We are expecting our first born before the end of this year, 2023 after three years of marriage.‘
Sensi Rankin ke Moja Morao, whether he succeeded first or last, success is success. Ha a chechele morao!
‘I always believe patience pays, and that the best way to enjoy success is to enjoy every step of the way, from scratch to climax.’
Enter The Ranking King!
Ba kene he Morena!