(Photo by Jonathan Mannion)
NEW YORK – The Cherrytree Music Company, Brooklyn Knights Entertainment and 300 Entertainment are pleased to announce the release of Grammy-award winning dancehall/reggae icon, SHAGGY’s new album, Wah Gwaan?!
Wah Gwaan?! is a collection that embodies the musician’s Jamaican roots, global reach, contagious joy and introspective side and will be released on May 10, 2019.
The compelling 12 tracks on Wah Gwaan?! – a Jamaican patois greeting meaning ‘what’s goin’ on?’ – are a revelation of an accomplished and multi-talented musical star. “Use Me, the album’s first single, has all the hallmarks of a Shaggy smash: an island vibe, witty wordplay, and an irresistible pop melody with a new music video– directed by Jay Will & shot in Miami – to soon be released.
Check out this behind-the-scenes clip here.
Wah Gwaan?!is an emblematic display of Shaggy’s rich sound influenced by all styles of music. He attracts both new and established artists from all genres; the emerging 19-year-old Canadian vocalist Alexander Stewart lends his vocals on the irresistible pop smash “You.”
Shaggy balances the seductive energy of rising dancehall superstar Shenseea and GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Stacy Barthe on “Supernatural.”
On “Money Up,” his ties to Brooklyn hold strong, working with the borough’s dancehall artist Noah Powa.
His musical worlds collide on “Tic Toc,” which features Nikki Jam, one of the biggest acts out of the urban Latino scene, and show-stopping entertainer Jason Derulo.
Shaggy also taps a diverse range of producers including the legendary dancehall brothers Tony CD Kelly and Dave Kelly, Martin Kierszenbaum (Sting, Lady Gaga), iLLWayno (Nicki Minaj, Nas, 2 Chainz), Kizzo and Costi Official.
Shaggy to Host The 61stGRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony
Shaggy is gearing up for another banner year by hosting The 61stGRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles on February 10th.
His undeniable charisma can be watched on the live international stream via GRAMMY.com from 12:30 – 3:30PM/PST.
Sure, a lot of people know his ubiquitous hits, still pervasive in any club, radio playlist and block party around the world, fueling a staggering 40 million units sold to-date.
They are also familiar with Shaggy’s fun-loving side through his comedic skit with James Corden and hysterical cameo on the Netflix hit movie “Game Over, Man!,” but here are some facts to shed more light on Shaggy’s well-rounded musical and personal portfolio:
- Shaggy was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to Brooklyn, NY as a teenager where he cut his teeth DJ’ing clubs in a burgeoning New York dancehall scene.
- Shaggy served four years in the US Marines including two tours of duty in the Middle East as part of Desert Storm.
- He has collaborated with, and written and produced records for, the most renowned and respected reggae musicians in the world including Toots and the Maytals, Barrington Levy & Maxi Priest, as well as mainstream artists such as Sting, Janet Jackson and Chaka Khan, among others.
- Shaggy co-wrote and recorded a joint-album, 44/876, with rock icon Sting and toured the world with him throughout 2018. The album spent over four months atop Billboard’s Reggae Album chart and is currently nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 61st GRAMMY Awards.
- Shaggy has racked up no fewer than eight singles in the Billboard Hot 100, including two that went to No. 1, as well as seven albums on the Billboard 200, with four in the Top 40.
- As the only certified Diamond-selling dancehall/reggae artist, Shaggy is among the Top 3 streamed Reggae artists on Spotify. He has amassed 710 million streams across his catalog.
- As a proven hitmaker, Shaggy has also been using his platform to help his community and beloved home, Jamaica. His Shaggy & Friends benefit concerts have raised millions for the Bustamante Children’s Hospital (the only English-speaking children’s hospital in the Caribbean) located in Kingston. See: Shaggy & Friends, Bustamante continue partnership
It’s all of this that shapes Shaggy the man, but also Shaggy, the musician. Having written every single one of his hits, Shaggy imbues his songs with personal experience, salient empathy and an effervescent joy. In concert, Shaggy moves and uplifts an audience with dynamic beats, fun, laughter and irresistible hooks.
Wah Gwaan?! represents a robust musical journey by a musician/songwriter/entertainer/ armed forces veteran that invites the listener in with vibrancy, urgency and hope. Most of all, it captures the Caribbean-forged, energy-infused, adventure-informed musical impulses of a one-of-kind original: Shaggy.
WAH GWAAN?! Track Listing:
1. Ketch Mi Up
2. Friends ft. Gene Noble
3. You ft. Alexander Stewart
4. Praise
5. Tic Toc ft. Jason Derulo and Nikki Jam
6. Wrong Room
7. Money Up ft. Noah Powa
8. Supernatural ft. Stacy Barthe/Shenseea
9. Make-Up Sex ft. Nyanda (Brick and Lace)
10. Use Me
11. Caribbean Way
12. Live
