Shaggy

Shaggy's international success began with the 1993 release of Pure Pleasure, his debut album. It featured "Oh Carolina," which became one of the biggest hit singles in U.K. pop history, and went on to top the charts in nine other countries. Shaggy left them smiling all over Europe on his debut world tour that year. With the 1995 release of "Boombastic," Shaggy connected with U.S. audiences in a big way. The platinum-certified album won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album, while the title track shattered boundaries at radio, topping Billboard's Reggae, R&B and Rap charts. It also became the #1 selling single and hit #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart.

Shaggy's success continued as "Boombastic" topped charts across Europe. Along with the smash hit "Boombastic," the album also featured a lively update of "Summertime" and a sensational version of the Ken Boothe classic "The Train Is Coming," featured in the film "Money Train." In September 1996, soon after finishing his globetrotting 95/96 world tour, Shaggy was back in the studio working on his third album, "Midnite Lover," which was released in 1997. By then, Shaggy's diverse pop, reggae, R&B, and world beat audience had been solidly established.

Since then, he has contributed songs to several notable soundtracks, including "Speed II," "Jungle To Jungle," and of course "How Stella Got Her Groove Back." An MCA release, the soundtrack was the connection that brought Shaggy to MCA Records. "All I want to do is make classic records," says Shaggy. "The team around me is extraordinary, and we just make music all day and all night. It doesn't even feel like work. I'd rather do this than anything."