Shaggy

The Jamaican-born performer first reached a broad international audience with “Oh Carolina” in 1993, included on Pure Pleasure. The record joined an older song to a contemporary dancehall setting, with Shaggy’s delivery providing a distinctive new focus. Its appeal depended on movement and character. The vocal could be playful without becoming rhythmically loose, and the track made that combination immediately available.

Boombastic in 1995 gave the approach another defining setting. The title song moved with a heavier, unhurried swing, allowing the voice to occupy the space almost theatrically. The rough texture of the delivery was part of its melodic appeal. A phrase could be stretched or pulled into a comic shape while the underlying beat kept the whole performance firmly in place.

Hot Shot in 2000 brought the largest crossover. “It Wasn’t Me”, with RikRok, made the contrast between the melodic lead and Shaggy’s responses into the structure of the joke. “Angel”, featuring Rayvon, offered a warmer and more romantic setting. The two singles are revealing together because the same familiar voice can function as comic adviser or affectionate counterpart depending on the song around it.

The wider catalogue continued to combine dancehall roots, pop melody and collaboration, including later work with Sting. The strongest records retain the pleasure of hearing different voices respond to one another. Shaggy’s personality is large, but it is often most effective in relation to another performer: a smooth phrase followed by a grainier answer, or a sweet melody unsettled by a perfectly timed aside.