By Bernice Elizabeth Green
Yesterday morning, in the midst of a NYC press tour, Shaggy, the popular reggae singer and rapper, detoured to North Bed-Stuy for an interview with Our Time Press publishers at Rowe’s on Tompkins Avenue.
The Grammy-winning artist, accompanied by George Crooks, CEO/ Jammins Entertainment and crew, was promoting the Barclay Center’s Dec. 12 Sounds of Reggae concert, bringing attention to his Jamaica homeland’s 50 years of independence.
Shaggy also graciously gave a boost to Bed Stuy Alive’s Savor Bed Stuy by stepping into Rowe’s kitchen for a photo op with owner Dudley Rowe and morning chef Dwight Davis.
And he wound up giving more.
The Grammy-winning star’s consummate sense of humor, music gifts and crowd-pleasing Shag-swag moves attract a following around the world, and most notably in Europe where he is revered. But there’s more to this artist than is seen in the glare of stage lights or his hot music videos.
The interview was a series of revelations as he delved into his heart and soul for messages to his Brooklyn fans. Shaggy, the poet, told about his art (he was accepted at Pratt Institute for his special gifts and talents), the streets, his family, his military career, women, his music, his Jamaica, his Brooklyn, his life philosophies and more.
And we intend to share it all with you, our readers in two parts over the coming weeks leading up to the concert. Yes, Shaggy admits he can be raw and unplugged, but as we said, there’s more going on than meets the eye: a military man’s commanding grace, a warrior’s focus – and some other interesting surprises that will raise an eyebrow as deftly as he raises his own. REMINDER: Grammy Award-winning artist Shaggy, Ali Campbell’s UB40, veteran reggae crooner Beres Hammond and British reggae star Maxi Priest will perform in “The Sounds of Reggae” concert at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Wednesday, December 12. Tickets for the concert are available through Ticketmaster by visiting www.barclayscenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. For information call: 718-282 8041.
To follow Shaggy: shaggyonline.com. Stay tuned for Shaggy, Parts One and Two.