84 / 140
market before you can conquer it. Analyse your
competition and assess where and how you fit
in . . . yet always strive to be different. Be a head
turner, and shine your own unique light.With the
world becoming smaller, andwith the dynamism
of technology, Caribbean artistes must consider
their niche markets,” Shaggy says.
He also says it’s important to get a good lawyer
and representative who will keep you informed
of everything pertaining to your career. And a
loyal and efficient manager or agent is also a vital
note in the song of success in this industry, the
music veteran adds.
The multinational maestro maintains that
the US market remains the biggest window of
opportunity for Caribbean music. Not only
because of the sheer size of the population,
including a large West Indian Diaspora, but also
because it is a fast market in terms of sales and
exposure. Shaggy points out that there is a new
global resurgence of ‘cool Caribbean reggae’, with
some of the top international artistes releasing
interpretations of reggae with great public appeal.
“As regional pioneers, we must capitalise on this
worldwide attention and let our music be heard
. . . we are the authentic! If, as a region, we could
incubate and export this immense new talent
coming out of the Caribbean, collaborating the
plethora of voice and style, wewoulddominate the
music industry on the world stage,” he contends.
The Commander of Order of Distinction (CD)
honouree exhibits his philanthropic passion
through the Shaggy Foundation, raising some
US$1.6 million to date for the Bustamante
Hospital for Children. A visit to a friend’s son,
who was a patient there 15 years ago, catapulted
him to action. Then in 2009, while visiting the
hospital, a distraught father took Shaggy to see
his nine year-old daughter, whose life was being
sustained by an incubator donated through
Shaggy’s Foundation. This inspired him to
do more, and that year the first Shaggy and
Friends Benefit Concert was hosted, raising just
over US$300,000. In 2014, the concert raised
US$700,000 and, according to Shaggy, the aim
is “to far exceed the last goals set”.
Shaggy’s latest collaboration, with Pitbull and
Gene Noble, has given audiences the single
Only Love.
“Only Love is my gift to the world. We make
records, we think global, and it’s my hope that
this song will bring love to everyone and touch
them in a special way,” he says.
As Shaggy continues to love and create as he was
divinely created to do, the world will continue to
listen, learn and love.
Only Love is my gift to the world. We make records, we
think global, and it’s my hope that this song will bring
love to everyone and touch them in a special way.
Lisa Stiebel is an architect by profession and artist at heart, with a passion for the creative arts.
She is a graduate of Howard University, and specializes in Interior and Mural Design.
OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
82
www.carib-export.com