Shaggy
IT WASN'T SHAGGY!
As "Mr Lover" SHAGGY dropped into town for the Rumba Music Festivals being held in Melbourne and Sydney, GIRL grabbed an EXCLUSIVE interview with the man who has the sexiest voice of the minute. Mmmm.....sweet, succulent and fine, Shaggy is every bit the smooth Reggae performer fans all over the world have fallen in love with.
GIRL: The name Shaggy is quite a unique name you'd have to admit. How did you adopt this nickname?
Shaggy: The name "Shaggy" was a name I got from being in primary school as a kid. And, you know it was a pet name, it became a stage name, actually after I started getting into music. It is wonderful to play that "Shaggy" character because I pop into it each and every time. I could do it -- just be, like, "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Lover, darlin'". It's very romantic. It's a very sexual character. It's very somewhat of an egotistic character, flamboyant, boisterous, and, very much fun to play.
GIRL: Your first 3 albums were all very successful. Did you find it easier to record your new album?
Shaggy: Well, the fact that you have hits on previous albums, sets a pace for you, something to top, something to rise above. You obviously want to write an album that will do better than the last one 'cause, you know, the old saying: "You're just as good as your last hit," you know. And, boy, my last hit is quite a hit, so, hey (laughs) I'm pretty good now!
GIRL: What is the theme of your latest album?
Shaggy: I think the theme on the album is, overall, entertainment. A lot of people try to send a lot of messages in music, and forget about the very important aspect of the music, which is the entertainment factor. You want to have a good time and enjoy yourself. I think if the album wasn't entitled, "Hot Shot," a good name for it would be, "Mood Swings," you know, because it certainly puts you in different moods from every song, from a "Hot Shot," all the way down to "Chica Bonita."
You know what I mean? There are different styles and different fusions of music incorporated with reggae. If you're in the mood for love, there are songs on there that put you in that mood. If you're in the mood for a Latin flavour, there's "Chica Bonita." If you're in the mood for just a great laugh, tongue-in-cheek, there is of course, "It Wasn't Me" and songs of that nature. If you just want to party, there is "Luv Me Luv Me."
I mean, there's so many things on there that makes this Shaggy roller coaster ride quite a ride.
GIRL: In the chart topping track "It Wasn't Me", the song advises someone who has been caught cheating to lie to his girlfriend and deny all allegations. Have you or would you use the advice given in "It Wasn't Me?"
Shaggy: Have I or would I use the advice of "It Wasn't Me"? Hey...I don't think I've ever done that really. Or maybe I have, but I'll tell you what, any man in that situation, it's amazing what pressure does to you! (laughs) Some might say, "It wasn't me", I guess you'll find any excuse to get out of it. But 90% of the time, it doesn't work though.
GIRL: Now your music videos are always very colourful and cheeky. Tell us a little about the concept for your music video "Angel"?
Shaggy: The concept behind the video is basically: you have a devil, and you have an angel. And there's a bet being made between the devil and the angel. The bet is that the devil is saying she could get Shaggy into trouble, while the angel says, "Hey, I bet you that you'll never get him into trouble." So, one is trying to make me walk straight and narrow in a straight-arrow way, and the other one is trying to make me do something naughty. And it boils down -- it's a game of lust at the end of the day. And the devil is always dressing up, basically, and presenting herself -- to tempt me to go the wrong direction, while the angel comes in to intercept, over and over. And the video is shot with a lot of angelic women.
The Heaven scene is one of my favourite parts of the video for the simple fact that, if that's Heaven, I'll be there. (laughs) There's even a turntable in Heaven, man! (laughs)
And it's just a very entertaining video. The song, on the other hand, is basically a song -- one of my favourite songs from the album, from day one, for the simple fact that it's such a love song, and I'm a sucker for love songs. And it also boils down to the fact that it's a typical story: man has woman, man decides to leave woman for a new woman (laughs), woman is new, so he feels like, wow, it's something new and exciting, and it's -- she's an angel. But through the storm, she doesn't weather the storm, so it's really that she was an angel in disguise. So, you have to go back to the original woman, which she is the original angel.
GIRL: Besides making music, is there anything else you would like to do?
Shaggy: I will continue making music, obviously, because it is my first love. I don't rule anything else out. I'm sure if there is anything else that comes up, that might strike my interest, I will go for it, obviously movies or something, that's in the works, television is something that's in the works, also.
So, who knows where it will take us? You know, you really can't sit here and plan your future. I've never actually sat and planned my future. I just kind of roll with it. I'm like a surfer riding the wave.
GIRL: The Shaggy sound is such a distinct one. Where was this character voice born?
Shaggy: The vocal style is a very unique style. It's a very distinctive sound. It's a signature sound. There's no mistaking a Shaggy record once you hear it.
And part of that is obviously not just the production, but the sound of the voice, which is the most distinct thing. This voice was developed while I was in the military. I used to run and sing cadence, you know, it's, like, (demonstrates) "I don't know, but I've been told/My CO wears pantyhose."
And it's things like that, that has worked for me, 'cause they'd call the skinny guy to come out and sing the cadence 'cause after about six, seven miles, no one wants to sing. (laughs) Little did I know all that time, that I was doing it for the last four years of me being in the military, that it was voice training.
And the very first time I did a record with that tone, it was "Oh, Carolina," and it was such a huge hit that the Shaggy sound was born right there. And I just basically perfected it, the whole art of doing it, and adding new things and new vibe to it.
And, you know, what is unique and what is startling to a lot of people is the fact that I don't speak like that normally.
GIRL: Musically, who influences or inspires you the most?
Shaggy: My influences are from many people. You know, I have influences, not in the sense that I emulate them, but in the sense that I admire them for their achievements.
Obviously, Bob Marley because of his achievements and he is a legend, and quite a genius, you know, within his own right. The people that I admire, such as Toots & The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs, who I'm big fan of, of "Greg the Cool." I think that's where I get my whole, [demonstrates voice] "Mmmm...meet me at the corner...aw...." He's got that whole sexy thing going, where Gregory's concerned.
As far as songwriters, I like a good song. Billy Joel has always been a favorite of mine just for the simple fact that he's just the wickedest songwriter, you know, Stevie Wonder, of course. But not in the sense that I, you know, I emulate their styles at all.
And sometimes I'm inspired by ordinary people. I may be on the road and see a guy that's singing on the street, collecting money, and he's doing something that totally impresses me, I mean, and I walk away with a very strong impression, and a lasting impression that, you know, it influences my style somewhat. It's all about ideas, you know.
GIRL: You seem to bring a lot of humour into your music. Do you consciously do this or is it just something that is part and parcel of your music and who you are?
Shaggy: Humour's very important. I think, you know, is it the same old joke, the same old story? I mean, once you tell a joke, it's funny the first time you hear it. Hear it again, it's not as funny.
Humour is great, but you got to do it in a way to where the joke doesn't get old. And that's where the clever songwriting comes in -- how to do that. And we seem to be able to connect very well when doing that.
And if ever someone looks at me and says, "Hey, where do you get a formula?" or "Is there a formula?", I can't say whether or not there is a formula. I make music somewhat in a selfish form. You make music to your liking and to your taste. Sometimes you compromise, here and there, but for the most part, I've learned that you really have to like it yourself, and hopefully it connects. Well, it just so happens that we've always been connecting with the audience, so that's great. (laughs)
- Annemarie Failla & Michelle Palmer
As "Mr Lover" SHAGGY dropped into town for the Rumba Music Festivals being held in Melbourne and Sydney, GIRL grabbed an EXCLUSIVE interview with the man who has the sexiest voice of the minute. Mmmm.....sweet, succulent and fine, Shaggy is every bit the smooth Reggae performer fans all over the world have fallen in love with.
GIRL: The name Shaggy is quite a unique name you'd have to admit. How did you adopt this nickname?
Shaggy: The name "Shaggy" was a name I got from being in primary school as a kid. And, you know it was a pet name, it became a stage name, actually after I started getting into music. It is wonderful to play that "Shaggy" character because I pop into it each and every time. I could do it -- just be, like, "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Lover, darlin'". It's very romantic. It's a very sexual character. It's very somewhat of an egotistic character, flamboyant, boisterous, and, very much fun to play.
GIRL: Your first 3 albums were all very successful. Did you find it easier to record your new album?
Shaggy: Well, the fact that you have hits on previous albums, sets a pace for you, something to top, something to rise above. You obviously want to write an album that will do better than the last one 'cause, you know, the old saying: "You're just as good as your last hit," you know. And, boy, my last hit is quite a hit, so, hey (laughs) I'm pretty good now!
GIRL: What is the theme of your latest album?
Shaggy: I think the theme on the album is, overall, entertainment. A lot of people try to send a lot of messages in music, and forget about the very important aspect of the music, which is the entertainment factor. You want to have a good time and enjoy yourself. I think if the album wasn't entitled, "Hot Shot," a good name for it would be, "Mood Swings," you know, because it certainly puts you in different moods from every song, from a "Hot Shot," all the way down to "Chica Bonita."
You know what I mean? There are different styles and different fusions of music incorporated with reggae. If you're in the mood for love, there are songs on there that put you in that mood. If you're in the mood for a Latin flavour, there's "Chica Bonita." If you're in the mood for just a great laugh, tongue-in-cheek, there is of course, "It Wasn't Me" and songs of that nature. If you just want to party, there is "Luv Me Luv Me."
I mean, there's so many things on there that makes this Shaggy roller coaster ride quite a ride.
GIRL: In the chart topping track "It Wasn't Me", the song advises someone who has been caught cheating to lie to his girlfriend and deny all allegations. Have you or would you use the advice given in "It Wasn't Me?"
Shaggy: Have I or would I use the advice of "It Wasn't Me"? Hey...I don't think I've ever done that really. Or maybe I have, but I'll tell you what, any man in that situation, it's amazing what pressure does to you! (laughs) Some might say, "It wasn't me", I guess you'll find any excuse to get out of it. But 90% of the time, it doesn't work though.
GIRL: Now your music videos are always very colourful and cheeky. Tell us a little about the concept for your music video "Angel"?
Shaggy: The concept behind the video is basically: you have a devil, and you have an angel. And there's a bet being made between the devil and the angel. The bet is that the devil is saying she could get Shaggy into trouble, while the angel says, "Hey, I bet you that you'll never get him into trouble." So, one is trying to make me walk straight and narrow in a straight-arrow way, and the other one is trying to make me do something naughty. And it boils down -- it's a game of lust at the end of the day. And the devil is always dressing up, basically, and presenting herself -- to tempt me to go the wrong direction, while the angel comes in to intercept, over and over. And the video is shot with a lot of angelic women.
The Heaven scene is one of my favourite parts of the video for the simple fact that, if that's Heaven, I'll be there. (laughs) There's even a turntable in Heaven, man! (laughs)
And it's just a very entertaining video. The song, on the other hand, is basically a song -- one of my favourite songs from the album, from day one, for the simple fact that it's such a love song, and I'm a sucker for love songs. And it also boils down to the fact that it's a typical story: man has woman, man decides to leave woman for a new woman (laughs), woman is new, so he feels like, wow, it's something new and exciting, and it's -- she's an angel. But through the storm, she doesn't weather the storm, so it's really that she was an angel in disguise. So, you have to go back to the original woman, which she is the original angel.
GIRL: Besides making music, is there anything else you would like to do?
Shaggy: I will continue making music, obviously, because it is my first love. I don't rule anything else out. I'm sure if there is anything else that comes up, that might strike my interest, I will go for it, obviously movies or something, that's in the works, television is something that's in the works, also.
So, who knows where it will take us? You know, you really can't sit here and plan your future. I've never actually sat and planned my future. I just kind of roll with it. I'm like a surfer riding the wave.
GIRL: The Shaggy sound is such a distinct one. Where was this character voice born?
Shaggy: The vocal style is a very unique style. It's a very distinctive sound. It's a signature sound. There's no mistaking a Shaggy record once you hear it.
And part of that is obviously not just the production, but the sound of the voice, which is the most distinct thing. This voice was developed while I was in the military. I used to run and sing cadence, you know, it's, like, (demonstrates) "I don't know, but I've been told/My CO wears pantyhose."
And it's things like that, that has worked for me, 'cause they'd call the skinny guy to come out and sing the cadence 'cause after about six, seven miles, no one wants to sing. (laughs) Little did I know all that time, that I was doing it for the last four years of me being in the military, that it was voice training.
And the very first time I did a record with that tone, it was "Oh, Carolina," and it was such a huge hit that the Shaggy sound was born right there. And I just basically perfected it, the whole art of doing it, and adding new things and new vibe to it.
And, you know, what is unique and what is startling to a lot of people is the fact that I don't speak like that normally.
GIRL: Musically, who influences or inspires you the most?
Shaggy: My influences are from many people. You know, I have influences, not in the sense that I emulate them, but in the sense that I admire them for their achievements.
Obviously, Bob Marley because of his achievements and he is a legend, and quite a genius, you know, within his own right. The people that I admire, such as Toots & The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs, who I'm big fan of, of "Greg the Cool." I think that's where I get my whole, [demonstrates voice] "Mmmm...meet me at the corner...aw...." He's got that whole sexy thing going, where Gregory's concerned.
As far as songwriters, I like a good song. Billy Joel has always been a favorite of mine just for the simple fact that he's just the wickedest songwriter, you know, Stevie Wonder, of course. But not in the sense that I, you know, I emulate their styles at all.
And sometimes I'm inspired by ordinary people. I may be on the road and see a guy that's singing on the street, collecting money, and he's doing something that totally impresses me, I mean, and I walk away with a very strong impression, and a lasting impression that, you know, it influences my style somewhat. It's all about ideas, you know.
GIRL: You seem to bring a lot of humour into your music. Do you consciously do this or is it just something that is part and parcel of your music and who you are?
Shaggy: Humour's very important. I think, you know, is it the same old joke, the same old story? I mean, once you tell a joke, it's funny the first time you hear it. Hear it again, it's not as funny.
Humour is great, but you got to do it in a way to where the joke doesn't get old. And that's where the clever songwriting comes in -- how to do that. And we seem to be able to connect very well when doing that.
And if ever someone looks at me and says, "Hey, where do you get a formula?" or "Is there a formula?", I can't say whether or not there is a formula. I make music somewhat in a selfish form. You make music to your liking and to your taste. Sometimes you compromise, here and there, but for the most part, I've learned that you really have to like it yourself, and hopefully it connects. Well, it just so happens that we've always been connecting with the audience, so that's great. (laughs)
- Annemarie Failla & Michelle Palmer
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