Shaggy successfully launches 'Summer in Kingston' album

Olivea Hayles, Gleaner Writer

It seems success was the order of the weekend for Shaggy.

After his Make A Difference Foundation handed over some 368 pieces of medical equipment to the Bustamante Hospital for Children on Friday, and making an appearance on Jay Leno's Tonight Show that same night, 'Mr Boombastic' launched his latest album, Summer In Kingston, Saturday night.

As if blocking the Knutsford Boulevard was not enough for the diamond-selling artiste, he treated supporters to a full-fledged stage show named after the album Summer In Kingston, for free.

Although the show did not start at seven as scheduled, patrons were not complaining. Stone Love and Renaissance were just two of the sound systems that kept the crowd entertained.

However, after a two-hour wait, restlessness set in. That would not last long as emcees Ity and Fancy Cat infused laughter into a show that featured some very energetic performances, which included QQ, Khago, Chino, Di Genius, Agent Sasco, Bounty Killer, and an appearance by the king of mix-up, Ragashanti.

Public figures

LIME also launched their new entertainment channel Peppa, which will be available on selected LIME mobile phones. Peppa is also the station which will air Ragashanti Live and Vybz Kartel's Teacha's Pet.

There were also other artistes and public figures that came out to support the Grammy Award-winning artiste, including MVP's president Bruce James, Twins of Twins, Craig of Voicemail, Tessanne Chin, Tami Chynn, Beenie Man and D' Angel.

After a few appearances, the video premiere of Shaggy's single Sugarcane followed. Shown on a big screen, the video was not short of humour.

The crowd was laughing as the daughter of a British family, after visiting Jamaica, fell in love with the sugarcane, which Shaggy had introduced her to.

The video only got more interesting when the girl's father sent her mother to take her home, but she in turn fell in love with the sugarcane which, ironically, was given to her by a Rasta man.

While some may argue that the song and video has a double entendre, Shaggy highlighted several parts of Jamaica's culture. The concept did not end with the video premiere, as his performance onstage was punctuated by his gesture to highlight his Summer In Kingston party.

He requested the crowd to raise both hands, himself included, as a photo was taken and posted to MTV's Twitter page.

Mr Lover Lover then performed Sugarcane, among other hit songs that had the ladies crooning along with the smooth artiste. He did songs such as Mr Boombastic, Strength of a Woman, Angel, for which Rayvon was brought onstage, among others.

Shaggy ended his performance by introducing the remix of Sugarcane, which he performed with Chino, Di Genius and Agent Sasco. Also fulfilling his promise to foreign media who were tuned in to Summer In Kingston, Shaggy then called on The Energy God, Elephant Man.

Elephant Man also performed How We Do It with Bounty Killer. Ity and Fancy Cat joined in, having spoofed the artistes' music video in their last season of the Ity and Fancy Cat Show.

The show closed with some entertainment from the hosts, and apart from some determined patrons who tried to get into the VIP area, the show was a success.