SHAGGY SETS POSITIVE TONE
AS VIOLENCE ROCKS REGGAE SUMFEST

.By.Jesse.Nash@.....Jamaica.Magazine@
SHAGGY Interview
Quicktime Movie here

SHAGGY

For the first time since Jamaica's Reggae Sumfest began in 1993, violence has marred the annual music event. But the show's headliner, Shaggy, who has been nominated for eight MTV Music Awards, eased the tension by delivering a stirring message of peace and goodwill. "You can't let a few bad guys ruin it for everybody else!" he told the crowd of more than 50 thousand, adding: "I just spoke to a journalist from NYC and he wouldn't bring his kid to Reggae Sumfest because of the violence. "I tell you, Reggae Sumfest is safe. Don't let these bad elements ruin it for everybody else. Take a stand. Take a stand for peace against violence!"

SNOOP DOGG


DAMIAN AND STEPHEN MARLEY
 Shaggy's comments and passion hit their mark. The audience roared its approval and settled down. A stand had been taken; the violence was over. The trouble erupted at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay during what was billed by festival promoters as Dancehall Night when rival performers brought their disdain for each other on stage with them. Merciless, Beanie Man and Bounty Killer -- three hardcore reggae acts -- lived up to their names, starting at around 4 o'clock in the morning [each concert began at 9 p.m. and often ran until breakfast the next day]. Merciless provoked the incident while performing on stage, sneering lyrics about Bounty Killer's sexual activities, which found favor among some of the fans. Beanie Man later invaded the stage during Bounty Killer's performance, causing even more ill-will and hostility. By the time the performance was over, there was a near stampede by the crowd. What might be termed a "bottlefest" ensued, with hundreds of Red Stripe beer bottles (Jamaica's infamous national brand) raining down on the stage, and striking members of the crew and press. Several gunshots rang out inside the hall. One group of five journalists huddled under the stage, fearing for their lives, until the melee was over. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.

During an exclusive backstage interview, Shaggy offered his reaction. "I think the whole situation was one of sheer stupidity," he said. "No way is this a reflection of the music, nor the situation in Western Kingston, which has been totally blown out of proportion by media outlets in the states as far as Jamaica is concerned." Shaggy pointed out that violence often breaks out in large cities. "There were just four people killed on a bus in the Port Authority Bus Terminal [in New York City]. There are drive-by shootings all the time in L.A. and New York. I mean, this is NOT the Middle East where people are killed every day," he explained.

He called Reggae Sumfest a "great event," and said this one unfortunate incident should not cast a shadow over the festival. "[The authorities] are taking steps to ensure people's safety in the future," he continued; " -- no more beer bottles, just plastic cups." Security measures such as metal detectors are also being considered for everyone who enters the hall -- including the artists. When asked what would improve the situation, Shaggy was emphatic: "Good parenting. Good parenting is the key to making our kids understand the proper way to behave. Education starts at home.
"I make sure my kid [who began performing with Shaggy at age 3; he's now 7] understands right from wrong. And I let him know that anything with a 'Parental Guidance' sticker on it is off limits." He acknowledged that greater levels of professionalism and decorum are needed at Reggae events, and again stressed that this outburst of violence should not taint the world's opinion of his country. "Jamaica has received some very bad press of late," he said, "but it's a great place that has its share of problems from time to time. I love Jamaica and wouldn't consider living anywhere else. "Come back to Jamaica," he told me, "and don't believe everything you read in the papers." By the way, Shaggy revealed two interesting facts about himself: he got his name from the popular kids TV show cartoon "Scooby Doo". (He was named after Scooby Doo's best friend on the show, "Shaggy.") And get this: Shaggy said he recently met his "biggest fan" -- famed mobster daughter cum novelist and columnist, Victoria Gotti. But he admitted to me that at the time he didn't realize with whom he was speaking, adding that he was taken by Victoria's good looks and charm. He later learned that she was John Gotti's daughter. Did that intimidate Shaggy? "Oh, yeah," he said. "Definitely."