Shaggy

Orville Richard Burrell CD, known professionally as Shaggy (born October 22, 1968, in Kingston, Jamaica), is a Jamaican-American reggae musician, singer, songwriter, and deejay. He moved to New York City at 18 and served in the United States Marine Corps, where he developed his signature “toasting” style. Shaggy first gained international fame with his 1993 hit Oh Carolina, and went on to release major hits like Boombastic, It Wasn’t Me, Angel, and In the Summertime. He has won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album (Boombastic in 1996 and 44/876 with Sting in 2019) and received the Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist in 2002, as well as the Jamaican Order of Distinction in 2007. Shaggy’s 2000 album Hot Shot marked the peak of his global success, producing the chart-topping singles It Wasn’t Me and Angel, both of which reached number one in multiple countries. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, he continued to release albums and collaborate with international artists, including Sean Paul, Sting, Mavado, and Toots and the Maytals. He founded his own labels, Big Yard Records and Ranch Entertainment, and has maintained a strong presence in live performances and international music festivals, while also producing tracks for other artists and supporting emerging talent. In addition to his music career, Shaggy is known for his philanthropy. He established the Shaggy and Friends charity, donating over US$1 million to Jamaica’s Bustamante Children’s Hospital and providing medical equipment. He has also raised funds for COVID-19 relief and disaster recovery efforts, including a 2025 benefit concert for Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Married to Rebecca Packer with five children, including rapper Robb Banks, Shaggy continues to balance his international music career with social initiatives, solidifying his legacy as both an influential reggae artist and a committed philanthropist.