‘CHRISTMAS IN THE ISLANDS’
Grammy award-winning artist Shaggy is hoping that his upcoming album, “Christmas in the Islands,” will help bring joy to people, despite the effect the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having on the world.
Featuring artists like Neo-Yo, Ding Dong and Joss Stone, he told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that it is “more of a dancing Christmas album rather than one featuring Christmas carols.”
“It puts you through a mood, a roller coaster ride of holiday emotions,” Shaggy said. “So, there are party ones, there are a couple of classic ones — I’ll be home for Christmas, done reggae style.”
Shaggy, whose real name is Orville Richard Burrell, is known for a series of hits, including “It Wasn’t Me,” “Boombastic” and “Oh Carolina.”
In June 2019, the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Caribbean Studies (ICS) added the Jamaican musician, singer, DJ and actor into its “Wall of Fame.”
ICS said that Shaggy scored hits with “Oh Carolina,” “Boombastic,” “In The Summertime,” “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel.”
Shaggy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1988 and obtained the military occupational specialty (MOS) of 0811 (Field Artillery Cannon Crewman).
ICS said he served with a Field Artillery Battery in the 10th Marine Regiment during the Persian Gulf War.
“The highest rank he achieved was lance corporal, although he was reduced in rank twice,” ICS said. “Shaggy perfected his signature singing voice while he was in the Marine Corps.”
ICS said Shaggy, who took his stage name from the character Shaggy, from the TV show Scooby-Doo.
It said Shaggy decided to pursue his music career, with his first hit in 1993, “Oh Carolina” — a dancehall re-make of a ska hit by the Folkes Brothers, which appeared in the film “Sliver.”
The same year, Shaggy appeared on Kenny Dope’s hip hop album The Unreleased Project, ICS said.
It said Shaggy worked with producers such as Sting International, Don One, Lloyd “Spiderman” Campbell, Robert Livingston and Frankie Cutlass on a remix from his maxi-single title “Nice and Lovely”.
ICS said Shaggy had “further big hits, including ‘Boombastic’ in 1995, the theme tune of a popular Levi’s commercial.”
Shaggy also sang with Maxi Priest on his Top 20 hit from 1996, “That Girl.”
In May 2009, ICS said Shaggy performed at the closing ceremony of the 2009 IPL tournament.
He also performed at the opening ceremony of the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 in the same month, held in Bangalore, India.
In August 2009, he performed live at the Ottawa Reggae Festival in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, ICS said.
“Here, he revealed plans for a new single, ‘Fading Away’, which featured Kevin Rudolf and Lil Jon,” ICS said.
He later cancelled this release in favor of “Fly High,” a track featuring Gary Pine, which was released on Dec. 5, ICS said.
Shaggy was also invited to perform at the Festival Creole, a festival held every year from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6 in Mauritius.
In November 2018, Shaggy featured on the title track of Olly Murs’ sixth album “You Know I Know.”
In May 2019, he released the album “Wah Gwaan?” ICS said.
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