Shaggy, the King of Dancehall and Reggae, is one of the world’s best-selling artists with over 40 million units sold. A two-time Grammy winner, he’s also among the top three most streamed reggae artists on Spotify.
Shaggy has defied all odds to remain successful in an ever-evolving industry and elevate Jamaican music. Now he uses his knowledge and experience to pave a smoother path for young artists.
1. Come Fly Wid Mi
Com Fly Wid Mi is the latest album from reggae legend Shaggy, reimagining classic Frank Sinatra songs with his unique reggae flair. This is an outstanding record that should earn it a Grammy nomination next year.
Sting and Shaggy – managed by Cherrytree Music Company – assembled an esteemed roster of reggae, jazz and mainstream musicians for this iconic album. Musical director Rob Mathes (Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Fall Out Boy, Luciano Pavarotti and Celine Dion) worked alongside producer/musician Steven “Lenky” Marsden (Sean Paul Sly & Robbie Smash Mouth Jimmy Cliff Beenie Man Bounty Killer) to craft timeless arrangements of timeless songs for inclusion on the release.
This Frank Sinatra songbook reggae cover album should be on every fan’s must-have list. Each tune has its own distinctive sound, making this collection of timeless tunes well worth a listen.
Shaggy offers an engaging combination of baritone voice and smooth demeanor as he revisits some classic Frank Sinatra hits, from “That’s Life” to the lilting “Fly Me To The Moon”. His renditions are always clean and crisp – perfect for conveying Sinatra’s cadence with modern day relevance!
My favorite song on the album is “Come Fly With Me,” a lyrical celebration of travel that could have been written today. From Peru to Bombay and Mexico’s Acapulco Bay, Shaggy sings with incredible power in one of the finest recordings in his genre. You’re sure to add it to your holiday playlist or romantic dinner soundtrack for sure!
2. I’m Ready
If you’re feeling blue about the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics until 2021, Sam Smith and Demi Lovato’s new single “I’m Ready” might help cheer you up. It’s a sweet collaboration that sees them competing in Olympic-sized sports to win medals for themselves and their loved ones, plus it boasts an engaging music video.
Reggae fans or not, this song always gets us moving. It’s not just the uptempo horn-driven beat; it’s something about its atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re part of something special. Plus, its romantic lyrics “I’m ready to love you, make you happy/I’m ready to be your lover” sing over an upbeat bass line.
Shaggy’s 2001 Hot Shot album was a major failure, and many in the music industry were ready to write him off. Yet he managed to keep his career going with an impressive run on global reggae charts and series of albums tailored specifically for reggae fans.
He’s one of the greatest producers in the business and always finds the ideal song, whether it be a dancehall hit or an anthem to celebrate his country’s culture. His latest album Wah Gwaan?!, released last May, was well received by both fans and critics alike.
He’s also working on a collaboration with Sting that promises to bring their rap-jazz fusion styles into reggae music. Plus, he’s been rehearsing with Ali Campbell and Astro from UB40, the Jamaican-American band that has become one of the most successful international acts in reggae history.
3. Sugarcane
Shaggy is one of the most beloved reggae artists to come out of Jamaica. His songs not only offer truthfulness, but they also deliver plenty of fun and an inspiring message for those who listen to them.
Shaggy began his music career as a rapper, then followed that up with an album in 1995 which yielded his breakthrough hit ‘Boombastic’. Soon after, Shaggy achieved Diamond Certification – meaning worldwide sales of more than 10 million copies – becoming only the second reggae artist to do so.
He had the success of ‘It Wasn’t Me,’ which became one of his biggest hits to date. Subsequently, he ventured into both the UK and US markets where both his albums Hot Shot and Midnite Lover went on to become number ones in both countries.
His style is built upon an image of being able to seduce women, leading him to amass an impressive collection of gold records and money.
His music has had a lasting effect on the global music industry, inspiring many genres such as dancehall, ska revival and roots-based afrobeat.
Reggae song lyrics often reflect political awareness, often touching upon topics like social justice and racial oppression. Additionally, many tracks contain numerous references to ganja (also referred to as herb, weed or sinsemilla), which is an ordained sacrament in Rastafari religion.
Reggae singers typically employ a unique vocal technique called “toasting,” in which they improvise spoken introductions to songs in order to create an uptempo melody. This style can be seen as the precursor of rap music.
4. You Can’t Stop Me
Since its release last year, Shaggy’s reggae album of island tributes has been selling like hotcakes. The title track, a reworked version of Sting’s 1995 hit “Boombastic,” has spent seven weeks at number one on Billboard Reggae charts – an example of Shaggy’s collaborative approach which brings together elements from both old and new in an unforgettable blend.
This collaboration has provided both artists with a platform to express their individual musical talents while keeping it a family affair. Sting particularly enjoyed sharing Shaggy’s humor as one of his favorite parts of the experience.
Recently, Shaggy revealed to an interviewer that he and Sting had spent considerable effort coming up with the song’s name. It’s an acknowledgement of their shared passion for music and willingness to get their hands dirty when creating new compositions.
Shaggy made the claim that his song “In My Feelings” was his most successful and popular work to date. It’s no secret that he’s an acclaimed producer and musician, as evidenced by his impressive catalog of hits. While he doesn’t think his contemporaries are in the same league when it comes to releasing records, he does encourage them to keep creating music as that’s what keeps fans coming back. Additionally, Shaggy stressed the significance of hybrids as one simple way for Jamaican music to reach wider audiences.
5. Every Breath You Take
Shaggy has been a reggae icon for four decades. He is the only diamond-selling dancehall/reggae artist in music history and his albums have sold more than 40 million units. With eight singles on Billboard Hot 100, two Grammy awards, and his own weekly radio show on SiriusXM FLY called “Shaggy’s Yaad,” Shaggy continues to be an inspiring role model to many across this generation.
Early this year, Sting and Shaggy joined forces for an album. As Jamaican natives, Shaggy is one of the greatest dancehall artists in history while Sting – an 18-time Grammy award winner – has long been involved with Caribbean music forms. Together, their combination made perfect sense.
Sting and Shaggy joined forces to tell the story of Dr. Philip (Casey Affleck) as he grapples with his relationship with his wife and daughter after the loss of their younger child. When Sam Claflin (Philip Seymour Hoffman) insinuates himself into their family circle, Philip must confront both his past and feelings for his brother.
The film’s premise harkens back to a bygone subgenre of domestic stalker thriller, which often invoked fear of an event powerful enough to fracture families. Yet here, the perverseness of such films rooted in their ability to unsettle repressed fears and resentments hasn’t been replicated.
Affleck is a strong enough actor to portray this kind of character, yet his inward focus makes him too inwardly focused to fully connect with his viewers. Even the film’s most moving scenes – where Affleck attempts to reconnect with his daughter – are handled so inauthentically that they feel more like rehearsals for the next scene than genuine moments of cinematic expression.