Shaggy‘s 5th studio album Hot Shot, was certified 6x Platinum on this day in 2001 by the Recording Industry Association Of America, less than year afters its August 8, 2000 release date. The album has so far sold 8.8 million units in the U.S. according to data supplied to WMV by sales trackers Luminate. Of that amount 6.8 million has been pure copies along with 1.2 billion on-demand streams.
The career defining MCA-Geffen released album which initially got negative reviews surpassed expectations of all critics who suggested that he was watering down reggae. The album is currently the most successful album by a Jamaican dancehall artist of all time and is now eligible for 8x Platinum certification in the United States. The second highest selling album by a dancehall act is Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock with 3 million units sold in the US.
The Boombastic deejay is cuttingly headlining the Hot Summer Nights Tour. In addition to his tour sponsored by Smirnoff ICE which began in May and features an impressive lineup of artists such as TLC, T-Pain and DaniLeigh.
Reflecting on his collaboration with Smirnoff ICE, Shaggy expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It was just one of those lineups that was legendary — kind of old-meets-new type vibe. Smirnoff Ice has always been a part of my partying era.” He is thrilled to be a part of their relaunch and appreciates the cool factor they bring to the table.
With over 30 years in the music industry, Shaggy did an interview with PEOPLE to discuss his upcoming tour, the enduring impact of his hit songs, and the misconceptions surrounding his signature track, “It Wasn’t Me,” the most popular hit from the Hot Shot Album.
When asked about the longevity of his songs like “Angel,” “It Wasn’t Me,” and “Boombastic,” which were released over two decades ago, Shaggy humbly attributes their continued popularity to the songs themselves. He considers himself fortunate to have written such timeless hits. In recent years, platforms like TikTok have breathed new life into his music, keeping it fresh and relevant.
Despite the widespread association of “It Wasn’t Me” with infidelity, Shaggy clarifies that it is actually an anti-cheating song. He reveals that many listeners have misunderstood the true message of the track. Within the song, there is a dialogue between two characters, with Shaggy’s voice representing the person giving bad advice about cheating. However, towards the end of the song, the character realizes the error of his ways and expresses remorse for the pain caused.
Unfortunately, this part often goes unnoticed, and listeners focus solely on the catchy phrase “It wasn’t me.” Shaggy acknowledges that when the song plays in clubs, people are caught up in the energy and rarely pay attention to the full narrative. Hot Summer Nights Tour will see Shaggy sharing the stage with iconic artists like TLC, En Vogue, and Sean Kingston.
He acknowledges that the misinterpretation of the song has become ingrained over the years. Nevertheless, Shaggy believes it has contributed to the song’s enduring appeal. “What’s so good about that song is that it was relatable throughout the years. People do have this whole situation with cheating, and the thing about that is that you could be young, old, Black, white, straight, gay, whatever it is, it’s still relatable.”
Drawing inspiration from a conversation with Lionel Richie, Shaggy highlights the power of relatable subject matters in music. Richie had shared that he essentially wrote the same song, “I Love You,” throughout his career, and it consistently resonated with audiences. Shaggy believes that songs with relatable themes never lose their impact, even when presented in different melodies.
Shaggy emphasizes that with a fresh melody and relatable content, artists can create new and successful records. He advises fellow musicians to tap into universal experiences to connect with listeners, citing the enduring power of relatable songs.
