WMV continues to highlight of groundbreaking singles and albums from Jamaica’s reggae and dancehall culture that have climbed the international charts with record breaking success.
One of the few Jamaican songs to debut at No. 1 on the British singles chart was “Boombastic” Shaggy’s career defining chart topper. The song was so impactful that Shaggy is forever known and Mr. Boombastic, fantastic, romantic lover, A.K.A Mr. Luva Luva by woman all over the world. Following in the footsteps of Mad Corba’s Flex (Columbia 1992), Shaggy crafted his version of the ‘hardcore lover’ music market and has dominated it since. He previously had Oh Carolina(1993) but Boombastic (Virgin 1995) confirmed his commitment to the music industry.
Today August 27, marks 27 years since the song was certified platinum for selling 1 million records in the United States by the (RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).
Released only two months earlier on June 5, it was the second single from his third studio album, Boombastic(1995). The album won the Grammy award for Best Reggae Album in 1996.
Robert Livingston, Shaggy’s then manager and producer of the track told World Music Views how acceptable the world was to Jamaican music at the time;
“When Boombastic was number one on the British Chart I had 4 different No. 1 records at the same time,” he explained to World Music Views.
The rock infused track saw successes in Ireland, UK, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia, where it topped the singles charts. It spent a week at number one on the US Billboard R&B chart, and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Part of Boombastic’s success is due to its involvement in a Levi’s commercial which became popular all over the world in key music markets. The claymation commercial featured the song playing as a man used the core of his Levi’s jeans to save a woman from a burning building as they both swing on a makeshift zipline into each other’s arms.
Shaggy told Anthony Miller of Entertainment Report last year that artists should make more songs that can synchronize if they want success.
“So we have to think about what that sound is – and the language and the melodies, and all of these things that work. Songs like what Barrington Levy is doing and all of these songs. Those songs are great sync records and we have to create sync records, records that do well in movies and commercials and stuff like that. You can’t just do it fi yuh likkle niche market. Is either you gwine keep it local or global,” Shaggy told Miller.
Speaking on how Boombastic was composed for the foreign markets so that it would get radio play Shaggy recalls when his team, “…put in Marvin Gaye sample under Boombastic to create a leverage so that we can get on these platforms. And that’s kinda what we have to kinda figure out. Because we are in the age of hybrids. Everything is a hybrid at this point,” he explained.
As for how much he makes with his catalogue of hits including Boombastic? Shaggy told World Music Views last year in May, “my catalogue does very well. My syncs do better than any other reggae artists including Bob. We just did Cheetos, Chase. But I have partners because when I came out the only way to get on the radio is to have samples. We did covers and samples and whatever was needed to get on the radio. So I share revenue with them even though the catalogue makes money, I have partners.”
Other countries where Boombastic has certifications include Australia : certified Platinum (70,000), Austria certified Gold (25,000), France certified Gold (250,000), Germany certified gold (250,000), New Zealand certified Platinum (10,000), Norway certified Platinum (10,000), and United Kingdom where the song first took off it is certified Gold for selling more than 400,000 units.
Notable movies to have featured Boombastic include the animated film Barnyard (2006),
Mr. Beans Holiday(2007), After the Sunset (2004) and George of the Jungle (1997).
