We bring back the memory of that reggae fusion artist (Reggae fusion is a genre that mixes reggae or dancehall with other genres like pop, rock, R&B, jazz, drum and bas) and hit maker who definitely had not only gone on hiatus (a temporal break in music) but had gone for almost half a decade since his last album in 2013. Shaggy! You’ve left fans asking for more after leaving us with about 10 studio albums . He just told us he’s back with even higher reggae vibe!
Perhaps many think Shaggy is totally out of music but he kicked off the 2018 performing at the 60th Grammys in January while dropping an album together with Sting an English singer in April of this year.
Now, you know guys! I mean every music lover out there conscious and woke during the late 90’s into early 2000 (00’s) knew that the hit maker standing with swag on the #AOTW this very moment with huge reputation when talking reggae fusion style actually kept the reggae vibe on a high back then.
The Jamaican(American/Canadian) musician, DJ and former United States Marine is a reggae fusion artist best known by his stage name Shaggy (the idea he got from the unkempt Shaggy of Scooby–Doo. It’s said he got his idea for his stage name from the look of his hair) was born Orville Richard Burrell on 22nd October 1968 in Kingston in…. His family moved to Ottawa in Canada when he was merely seven years old and by age 18 he moved to Brooklyn, New York with his family where he began taking singing coursesand began singing in 1987 in Brooklyn before Shaggy joined the Marines in North Carolina in 1988, while he continued to pursue music in his free time. He decided to officially pursue music in 1993 finally. What a determination at its peak Linx! From military to music!
Yeah! Shaggy was originally enlisted in the US Marine Corps in the United States but would often make the drive back to New York for recording sessions. But immediately his military career (of almost 10 years) was interrupted by Operation Desert Storm in 1991 after he was sent to Kuwait for a five-month tour of duty; when he returned, he resumed his sessions in New York. He did a cover of the Folkes Brothers’ ska hit “Oh Carolina. That was how it all started! It was so easy for him to do his Debut album Pure Pleasure in 1993 the same album he included the cover he did for Oh Carolina (number one on the UK Singles Chart) as well as other singles “Nice and Lovely”, “Soon Be Done” and “Big Up”- the main theme from the movie Made in America.
Absolutely! The fact that he carried on doing music throughout his time in the military service made the debut come effortless. He came through with his next album, Boombastic in 1995 the album that won Best Reggae Album at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards the same year 1995.
Oh Carolina (No1 on the UK Singles Chart) OR Dance & Shout / Hope (Both are sample songs off different albums)
Dance & Shout” and “Hope’: Shaggy’s fourth and single multi-platinum off his studio album Hot Shot, in November 2001.”Dance & Shout” was released as a preceding single to Hot Shot exclusively in Europe on July 11, 2000, achieving only minor success; however, the song peaked at number 4 on the Bubbling under Billboard Hot 100 chart due to import sales. In November 2001, following the release of the three officials worldwide singles from Hot Shot—”It Wasn’t Me”, “Angel” and “Luv Me, Luv Me
Actually before that 2001 song, Shaggy experienced commercial disappointment in 1996 making him return to solo action in 1997 and turned to movie soundtracks to keep his name in the public eye. He had hotshot in 2000being one of his biggest-selling reggae albums ever but more pieces of product hit the market in 2002 with a couple of compilation albums Before the end of 2002, Shaggy released his new album, Lucky Day – a respectful tribute to womankind. Its first two singles, “Hey Sexy Lady” and “Strength of a Woman,” didn’t fare well in the U.S., but the album sold respectably well, going gold by year’s end and charting in the Top 30 on both the pop and R&B listings.
In 2005 he returned with Clothes Drop seventh studio album. Early in 2007, he dropped “Church Heathen” a single of which its video contributed to its success. The hit single is off Shaggy’s album Intoxication, released that same year (2007).When the album was released promotionally in 2004, it was debated that the album would not be commercially released. However, over a year later, the album was officially released.
In January 2010 he released “Rise Again”, which collaborated with Sean Paul and other artists. And in 2012 he confirmed that he was working on a new album. Summer in Kingston (Shaggy & Friends) is Shaggy’s is 9th album and EP in 2011 also a collaboration with longtime pals. “Sugarcane” was the hit single off the EP/ album. He finally released Out of Many, One Music, in the summer of 2013.
Boombastic: off Boombastic (album) released in 1995
Boombastic title track was hit, selling over a million copies; it reached number three on the pop charts and number one on the R&B charts, and also became his second U.K. chart-topper
Thealbum went platinum, nearly reaching the R&B Top Ten, and spent a full year at number one on Billboard’s reggae album chart. The album won Best Reggae Album at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards (1995)
“Don’t Make Me Wait” a nother single off Shaggy’s collaborative album titled 44/876 released in April 2018. That album title is a blend of the telephone prefixes of both the UK and Jamaica.
Such a big song (went straight to number one in the U.S. and U.K. Hot Shot, spent six weeks at number one on the album charts and eventually sold over six million copies in the U.S. alone — an almost unheard-of figure for a reggae release. Sugarcane off the EP – summer in Kingston OR “Habibi (I Need Your Love) ft Mohambi, Faydee and Costi off Out Of Many, One Music
He dropped collaboration album titled “44/876” with Sting (Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner known as Sting, is an English singer, songwriter, and actor. He was the principal songwriter, lead singer, and bassist for the new wave rock band the Police from 1977 to 1986, and launched a solo career in 1985.)
Caribbean-flavored song from Sting and Shaggy – a song that reflects the duo’s mutual love of Jamaica – its music, the spirit of its people and vibrancy of its culture. It all ties back to 44/876. The Englishman comes to Jamaica and is embraced by all these Jamaicans, showing the influence he has had on the island as much as the island has had on him. All that really transcends to the type of music we are making. From the 44 to 876, we are connected,” says Shaggy.
Sting and Shaggy wrote and jammed together for a few weeks in New York City, creating music that seamlessly blends Caribbean rhythms—in traditional and modern styles—with pop craftsmanship and rock energy. Sting and Shaggy were initially introduced by Martin Kierszenbaum, who is Sting’s manager and Shaggy’s former A&R executive. After Sting heard a new track that Shaggy was working on, they decided to go into the studio together. Initially, the plan was to only record “Don’t Make Me Wait,” but the rhythms, lyrics and melodies flowed readily between these two accomplished musicians and, as a result, more new songs emerged.
IN SUMMARY
Shaggy Has 13 Studio albums : Pure Pleasure (1993), Original Doberman (1994), Boombastic (1995), Midnite Lover (1997), Hot Shot (2000, Lucky Day (2002), Clothes Drop (2005), Intoxication (2007), Shaggy & Friends (2011), Summer in Kingston (2011), Rise (2012), Out of Many, One Music (2013), 44/876 (with Sting) (2018)
5 of the 13 were nominated at the Grammys: Out Of Many, One Music: Best Reggae Album At 57th Annual Grammy Awards (2014). Summer In Kingston : Best Reggae Album 54th Annual Grammy Awards (2011).Intoxication: Best Reggae Album 51st Annual Grammy Awards (2008). Clothesdrop: Best Reggae Album 48th Annual Grammy Awards (2005). Boombastic: Won Best Reggae Album At The 38th Annual Grammy Awards (1995)
While only one song: “It Wasn’t Me” from the album Hot Shot won Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals 44th Annual Grammy Awards (2001)
It Wasn’t Me featuring Rik Rok off the album Hot Shot released in 2000. The album included included the single Angel as well
“It Wasn’t Me” (featuring Rik Rok) became a national hit, rocketing up the pop charts and hitting number one in early 2001 in the U.K. and many other European countries.
Hot Shot was certified 6x platinum in the US with singles ‘It Wasn’t Me‘ and ‘Angel’ enjoying chart success across the globe.
CONCLUSION
Throughout his career, Shaggy has worked as a Musician, songwriter, and deejay with Labels such as EMI, MCA, Virgin, Big Yard Music Group, Universal, and Ranch Entertainment. He started his music career in 1992 and has produced a number of international hits. He has got all the recognition he deserves since became renowned in the late ’90s/early ’00s for his girl-getting curls and an instantly recognizable Jamaican rap style
What would you love to be remembered for? www.theboxshowafrica.com
