by Merecedes J. Williams
For New Pittsburgh Courier
Pittsburgh is about to experience reggae like never before.
On Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m., the legendary Shaggy will take the stage at Heinz Hall, Downtown Pittsburgh, blending the vibrant beats of Jamaican music with the grandeur of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO).
Known for his iconic hits “It Wasn’t Me,” “Angel,” and “Boombastic,” the multi-GRAMMY-winning artist will showcase a sweeping journey through Jamaican musical history. From the early sounds of mento, ska, and rocksteady to the evolution of reggae and dancehall, Shaggy’s performance will highlight the genre’s deep cultural roots and its undeniable global influence.
“The way I’m doing this concert is a history of Jamaican music, not just the Shaggy catalog,” said Shaggy, in an exclusive interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier, Jan. 9. “It is some of the songs from some of my heroes,” Shaggy said, like Peter Tosh and Yellowman. “There’s an incredible amount of storytelling in between each song. It should be interesting and entertaining at the same time,” Shaggy said.
The collaboration between Shaggy and the PSO features orchestral arrangements by David Serkin Ludwig, Dean and Director of the Music Division at Juilliard, and will be conducted by Moon Doh. The fusion of Shaggy’s infectious energy, his band’s signature grooves, and the PSO’s world-class musicianship should equal an unforgettable night of music.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1968, Shaggy (birth name Orville Burrell) eventually moved to Brooklyn with his mother. It was there where Shaggy began to hone his craft in the world of music. However, before the world came to know of Shaggy, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1988 as an artilleryman. He served with 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., according to a bio on the Department of Defense website. Shaggy was among those who deployed to the Middle East during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. By the time Shaggy was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1992, Shaggy attained the highest rank of lance corporal.
In the ’90s, Shaggy found success with the song “Oh Carolina,” but even greater success with the song, “Boombastic,” a regular hit in the mid-’90s on radio stations everywhere, like WAMO in Pittsburgh. In 2000, Shaggy released the album, “Hot Shot,” which featured the song that propelled him to the top of the charts; “It Wasn’t Me.”
The catchy song reached the No. 1 spot in the U.S., Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Canada, France, Ireland, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Also on that album was the song, “Angel,” which also reached No. 1 in the U.S. and 11 other countries.
As Shaggy prepares for his show with the PSO, this isn’t Shaggy’s first rodeo with a symphony accompaniment. In November 2024, he joined other artists and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Antwerp for the Night of Proms, Europe’s largest indoor event. Shaggy recalled this Belgium concert series as “19 shows, 25,000 capacity, 60-piece orchestra and we had a fantastic time.”
Shaggy added, jokingly: “It was a wonderful tour. We made a lot of friends, and a lot of partying.”
This isn’t Shaggy’s first trip to Pittsburgh; he told the Courier he’s very familiar with the area.
“There are a lot of Caribbean people (in Pittsburgh),” Shaggy said, “and hopefully they’ll be in the house to bring that energy and vibe.”
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