Super Cat

Super Cat, born William Anthony Maragh on 25 June 1963 in Kingston, Jamaica, is one of the most influential figures in dancehall history. Raised in the tough Seivright Gardens area, he was immersed early in sound-system culture and mentored by legendary deejay Early B, who gave him the nickname “Wild Apache.” After a difficult childhood marked by homelessness and incarceration, Super Cat emerged in the early 1980s as a powerful new voice in dancehall, breaking through with his 1981 debut single “Mr. Walker” and later cementing his reputation with the album Si Boops Deh! (1985), which featured the iconic hit “Boops” and socially conscious tracks like “Cry Fi De Youth.”

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Super Cat had become an international star, founding his own Wild Apache Productions label and releasing successful albums such as Sweets for My Sweet and Don Dada (1992), one of the first dancehall albums issued by a major U.S. label. His sharp lyrical clashes, especially with rivals like Ninjaman, and crossover appeal led to collaborations with major hip-hop and R&B acts including Kris Kross, Heavy D, The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and later Sugar Ray, whose hit “Fly” topped U.S. airplay charts. These achievements earned him The Source magazine’s Dancehall Artist of the Year award in 1993.

Despite periods of low visibility, Super Cat’s influence never faded. He continued to resurface at major concerts and festivals worldwide, collaborating with artists such as India.Arie, Jadakiss, and Salaam Remi, and performing at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. Closely connected to reggae royalty as the brother of Junior Cat and cousin of Marcia Griffiths, Super Cat remains a towering figure in Jamaican music. His lyrical style, swagger, and pioneering crossover success firmly place him among the greatest deejays in dancehall history.