Grammy award winning, diamond selling artist and philanthropist Shaggy, is ending the year with a bang.
Launching his own record label, Ranch Entertainment, in 2012, Shaggy focused on re-building the brand Shaggy and revamping his career. With a plethora of hits and being a household name worldwide, one may ask why the need to revamp?
After 18 years of hit singles and sold out tours, Shaggy shifted his focus to going on his own, launching his own record label and making his own musical decisions. For the most part of 2013 we saw Shaggy take on a genre of music he loves dear to his heart and release his first ever 100% reggae album titled, ‘Out of Many, One Music’. Produced by legendary Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and longtime friend and producer Sting International, Out of Many, One Music has received a Grammy nod for Reggae Album of the year.
“Out of Many, One Music is a classic album which people will listen to 10 years from now” says Hot97 Disc Joc Bobby Konders.
Ranch Entertainment is set to re-release ‘Out of Many, One Music’ XL Edition on Tuesday December 16. The re-release will feature four new singles, which includes ‘Night Flight’ featuring Shaggy, Supercat and Maxi Priest. Creating huge buzz in dances and on Caribbean radio Ranch Entertainment continues to produce the unexpected classics.
Throughout the promotion of ‘Out of Many, One Music’, Shaggy headlined four tours this year including Canada, Europe and two US tours. Headlining several European festivals throughout 2014 Shaggys’ demand remained high in the United States. While embarking on his second US tour for 2014, Shaggy took the time out to sign a deal with Sony Records.
The Sony/Brooklyn Knights/Ranch Entertainment deal, is one which still allows Shaggy to have creative say in the production of his music, yet have a powerhouse supporting his music and brand.
This is a major accomplishment for Shaggy, who was last signed to a major in 2006 and despite the naysayers has stayed focused, relevant and persevered through it all.
Signing such a deal during a time when record sales are at low across all genres is a major achievement for any artist. Currently promoting three new songs “I Need Your Love”
, which has received over 8million views in 3 months as well as ‘Picture’ and
‘Go F Yourself’ it is evident there is no stopping Shaggy. ‘I Need Your Love’, ‘Picture’ and ‘Go F Yourself’ will all come under the Sony/Brooklyn Knights/ Ranch collar.
“I’ve said it before, signing to a major is great, but you must establish yourself first as an artist and grow on your own. After you’ve created a buzz in the streets they (record companies) will come looking. And that’s what happened” says Shaggy.