Ward 21

Ward 21 is a dancehall group and production team from Kingston, Jamaica, named after the psychiatric ward at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Formed in the late 1990s, the original members—Kunley McCarthy, Andre "Suku" Gray, Mark "Meandawg" Henry, and Ranaldo "Rumblood" Evans—were mentored by King Jammy and began as selectors for his sound system. They gained recognition as producers with the 1998 “Bada Bada” riddim, used by artists like Beenie Man and Elephant Man, and also achieved success with their own tracks including “Haters,” “Judgement Day,” and “Blood Stain.” Their debut album, Mentally Disturbed, was released in 2001. Throughout their career, Ward 21 produced hit riddims and songs for major artists, including Capleton’s “Slew Dem” and Wayne Marshall & Bounty Killer’s “When The Smoke Clears.” They released three albums through Greensleeves Records and contributed to collaborations with acts like 311, Supa Dups, and Major Lazer. The group toured extensively, performing across Europe and at major reggae festivals such as Summerjam. Ranaldo Evans left the group in 2008, but the remaining members continued to record and perform internationally. In 2014, Ward 21 released their fifth album, Still Disturbed, featuring contributions from Sean Paul and Konshens, and promoted it through European tours. Their influence continued into the next decade, with member Kunley McCarthy producing DeeWunn and Marcy Chin’s 2017 hit “Mek It Bunx Up,” which achieved over 25 million views on Facebook, cementing their ongoing impact in dancehall music.