Without music, Shaggy would be in prison
Dancehall star Shaggy will today entertain Ugandans at Lugogo Indoor Stadium at the show dubbed Pasa Pasa re-loaded with Shaggy. Though he has lived his entire adult life in the US, Shaggy’s roots are in Kingston, Jamaica. His real name is Orville Richard Burrell. He was born on October 22, 1968.
Dancehall star Shaggy will today entertain Ugandans at Lugogo Indoor Stadium at the show dubbed Pasa Pasa re-loaded with Shaggy. Though he has lived his entire adult life in the US, Shaggy’s roots are in Kingston, Jamaica. His real name is Orville Richard Burrell. He was born on October 22, 1968. As a child, his friends nicknamed him Shaggy after the character from the cartoon, Scooby Doo. But who is this Shaggy? Miles Rwamiti talked to him...
We find you strange in this country; You have everything but, why aren’t you married yet?
I am Mr. Lover Lover. I do like women but I prefer staying alone. I have three children; two boys and a girl, who I talk to at least everyday. The nature of my job doesn’t allow me to be married because it keeps me busy year to year. So, it’s kind of hard really for me to get into a serious relationship.
Qn - Are you going to stay single
forever?
ANS- I have got a young lady back home who keeps me occupied when I find free time. The problem though women find in people like us is lack of time for them. Why should I marry a woman to stay at home alone? She may be taken as a mistress. For me it is all about music and you cannot stop me from my music to get into marriage. It is so stressful. I would rather stay single but with kids. Bob Marley had over 50 children and I have three so far.
Qn -Why then do you always sing about love?
ANS- I do not choose songs, they instead direct me where to go. I told you earlier on that I am Mr. Lover Man. I do love women big time and do give them respect. Just because I am not married doesn’t mean I do not have love for women.
Qn -In all the countries you have performed, how would you rate Uganda?
ANS- It’s hard to say, man, because each of these countries has their way of appreciating and having fun. I however, have countries I wound not want to go back to. So it’s kind of hard to say which country is better than the other, but I can assure you, Uganda is very outstanding.
Qn -Of all the songs you have done, which song do you consider the best?
ANS- Big Up. This song has been there for a long time but it has always been a hit. I did it in 1991 when I used to have a band and it had serious impact.
Qn -You also sing about God, are you a Christian?
ANS- I love God, man. Without Him I would not be here. I come from the Ghetto and if it was not for music, I would be somewhere else. All my friends are in jail, which tells a lot about where I would have been today. So it is big respect to the Almighty. We do employ many people in the band and also look after others and this would not have been possible without God’s hand.
Qn -Is there someone you would want to work with along the way?
I never want to work with people, especially super stars. It’s so hectic and tiresome working with these people. They give a lot of headache apart from a few like Akon, who is free with most people.
Qn -Is there anyone who influenced you?
ANS- Yeah! Yellow Man. He is my favourite dancer. As a young man, I admired him a lot.
We find you strange in this country; You have everything but, why aren’t you married yet?
I am Mr. Lover Lover. I do like women but I prefer staying alone. I have three children; two boys and a girl, who I talk to at least everyday. The nature of my job doesn’t allow me to be married because it keeps me busy year to year. So, it’s kind of hard really for me to get into a serious relationship.
Qn - Are you going to stay single
forever?
ANS- I have got a young lady back home who keeps me occupied when I find free time. The problem though women find in people like us is lack of time for them. Why should I marry a woman to stay at home alone? She may be taken as a mistress. For me it is all about music and you cannot stop me from my music to get into marriage. It is so stressful. I would rather stay single but with kids. Bob Marley had over 50 children and I have three so far.
Qn -Why then do you always sing about love?
ANS- I do not choose songs, they instead direct me where to go. I told you earlier on that I am Mr. Lover Man. I do love women big time and do give them respect. Just because I am not married doesn’t mean I do not have love for women.
Qn -In all the countries you have performed, how would you rate Uganda?
ANS- It’s hard to say, man, because each of these countries has their way of appreciating and having fun. I however, have countries I wound not want to go back to. So it’s kind of hard to say which country is better than the other, but I can assure you, Uganda is very outstanding.
Qn -Of all the songs you have done, which song do you consider the best?
ANS- Big Up. This song has been there for a long time but it has always been a hit. I did it in 1991 when I used to have a band and it had serious impact.
Qn -You also sing about God, are you a Christian?
ANS- I love God, man. Without Him I would not be here. I come from the Ghetto and if it was not for music, I would be somewhere else. All my friends are in jail, which tells a lot about where I would have been today. So it is big respect to the Almighty. We do employ many people in the band and also look after others and this would not have been possible without God’s hand.
Qn -Is there someone you would want to work with along the way?
I never want to work with people, especially super stars. It’s so hectic and tiresome working with these people. They give a lot of headache apart from a few like Akon, who is free with most people.
Qn -Is there anyone who influenced you?
ANS- Yeah! Yellow Man. He is my favourite dancer. As a young man, I admired him a lot.