By:
Ryan Hohn
When
it comes to surviving hard times, making tough
choices and having to prove yourself each time,
Orville Richard Burrell a.k.a Shaggy, has the
blueprint on how to be successful. He has had
a monumental career laced with unfathomable
accomplishments such as selling 10 million copies
of “Hotshot”, earning a Grammy award
for“Boombastic”
and being the first dancehall artist to sign
with a major label
for £1M.
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I arrived at Big Yard
recording studios in Kingston a bit early and
was able to take in my surroundings in order
to get a feel of where I was. As I waited patiently
under a very shady almond tree located in the
yard, the automatic gate that secured the compound
began to open slowly. A burgundy Benz truck
with canvas roofing, sitting on the shiniest
rims I’ve seen this side of the equator
pulled in, with the Grammy award winning artist
emerging dressed in casual wear and sneakers
so fresh they looked like they came straight
out the box. After making our introductions
we do the photo shoot and head to the lounge
to conduct the interview.
Tell
us about the album you just finished doing,
‘Clothes Drop’ and how it compares
to ‘Hotshot’ and ‘Boombastic’?
To
read more pick up your copy at the nearest bookstore
or outlet
Recently he was honoured by his
peers as a man of music that has broken ground
and dared to tread where few others would have
gone in the face of such stiff resistance. Indeed
his life's work has been as much about the music
as it has been about making more people realise
that music in all its forms and genres, can heal,
nurture, uplift and inspire.
It is for this and many other
reasons that BUZZZ shines the spotlight
on this pioneer, who has helped to shape the direction
of our musical identity at a time when the airwaves
were saturated with songs predominantly from North
America. Byron Lee's contribution cannot be questioned,
as for 50 years he has pumped his energies, money,
sweat, ingenuity and time into taking Jamaican
and regional music to the four corners of the
world. His success is very well known but how
many truly know what inspired him to start his
journey?
To
read more pick up your copy at the nearest bookstore
or outlet
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