Dancehall superstar, Shaggy, recently made a return to music with the release of his latest album, Intoxication, via Big Yard/VP Records.
With over 20 million records sold worldwide, Shaggy hopes he can reclaim his mainstream success with a new album full of club bangers and hardcore dancehall tracks.
According to the dancehall performer, he had no outside interference during the recording process and it shows with the final product.
"While creating the album I wasn't signed to any particular label, so I didn't have the usual A&R interference into my creative process." said Shaggy of the album's recording process. "Right now records from the streets are going straight to the mainstream, with dancehall being accepted in its authentic form. That's what I was trying to get back to with Intoxication -- hardcore dancehall."
The new album kicks off with "Can't Hold Me," where Shaggy announces his return over jumping electro-tinged production. The first single, "Bonafide Gir,l" is a classic Shaggy dancehall-pop combo with a sweet hook, reuniting Shaggy with "It Wasn't Me" collaborator Rik Rok and adding Tony Gold to the potent mix. He also has "Out Of Control," a sexy danceclub ode to women on the dancefloor.
"Church Heathen," already a club favorite and chart topper in Jamaica, features a pounding rhythm and monk like chants over which Shaggy weaves a tale of a church congregation's hypocrisy. Preachers dip into the collection basket for Benz payments and women doing the Dutty Wine Saturday night look for salvation on Sunday. The song's lively video has also taken off, featuring a cameo from DJ slayer Ninjaman.
Intoxication features guest appearances by Akon, Collie Buddz, Sizzla Kaionji and Rayvon, among others, while production duties were handled by the likes of Tony "C.D." Kelly, Sting International, Robert Livingston and others as well.
To date, Shaggy's best-selling album was 2000's Hotshot, which boasted the monster singles "It Wasn't Me" and "Angel," helping it move an astounding 13 million albums worldwide.
The new album, Intoxication, is in stores now.
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