Shaggy By Andrew Clunis,
Freelance Writer
SHAGGY HAS been described as the 'hardest working man in show business' by Gary Ashley, senior vice-president of A&R at MCA Records.
In an interview with The Gleaner at Shaggy's Platinum Party celebration in Ocho Rios over the weekend, Mr. Ashley said that across all genres, he has not seen anybody more willing and dedicated than the Jamaican multi-platinum selling artiste.
"He has the best work ethic I have seen. He never says no and he's always ready to go out there and make something happen," Mr. Ashley said.
Shaggy is heading to Europe on a 25-day tour during which he is expected to cover all the major countries without a rest day.
"I don't know anybody else who would do that. Last week he was in Idaho, Toronto, and he left Cancun to come here. Sometimes we as a company have to sit down and decide to stop working him so hard. But he's so willing and he loves it," Mr. Ashley said.
According to the MCA Records executive, it was the professionalism in Shaggy's organisation that convinced the record company to take him on board.
"They know what they are doing. Every record company wants to work in that kind of situation. People ask about why more Jamaican acts are not signed to MCA. We'd sign anybody if they have the right work ethic and are willing to work professionally.
"To be honest, there is no other Jamaican artiste who can make it out there now. You've got to make competitive music.
"I'm from Australia so I know what it is like to come from a small country and you feel you ought to be given a chance. No record company will close their doors on talent, but there are other important factors," he said.
Ashley said people were now copying Shaggy's music.
"I recently met LA Reid (of Babyface fame) and he was saying that what we are doing with Shaggy now was something he wished he had thought of some time ago. Shaggy is setting trends and influencing the development of new music," he said.
Mr. Ashley said MCA was solidly behind the Big Yard label run by Shaggy and his manager Robert Livingston, and will be seeking to make stars of all their artistes.
