Shaggy Intoxication Sneak Peak Album Review

Will Shaggy Finally Be Able to Top it Wasn't Me?

Time hasn't been kind to reggae superstar Shaggy. He has found it impossible to top the year 2001 when he had two number one Billboard Singles in It Wasn't Me and Angel. Since then Shaggy has been trying to find that same magic but has been unsuccessful. His last album Clothes Drop featured appearances from Will.I.Am, Nicole Scherzinger, and Olivia formerly of G-Unit, but the album was a chart disappointment. Two years later Shaggy is attempting to find the magic of Hot Shot with his new album Intoxication. Will Shaggy be able to make the world think it is 2001 all over again or will he just flop again?

The first official single off of Intoxication is What's Love? featuring R&B superstar Akon. The beat sounds as if it was produced within 5 minutes as it simply is an 8-bar loop throughout the song with little variations whatsoever. Akon seems as he phoned his part in as it just seems like he was contractually obligated to appear on the song. The chorus is unimaginative and incredibly repetitive. The verses from Shaggy seem forced; and as if he is trying to be someone he is not as an artist.

On Church Heathen Shaggy takes a more serious approach. The song features the Heathen Riddim also used by Elephant Man and Rik Rok. The song talks about going to church due to the risqué nature of reggae music and the dances done to it. The song is a big hit in the Caribbean but will not be popular stateside.

On Bonafide Girl, Shaggy is joined by frequent collaborator Rik Rok. Although they don't have the magic of their past smash hit It Wasn't Me, the song is catchy and features vintage Shaggy. The song is not a forced attempt at commercialism like most of the other tracks on the album. While Rik Rok has very light vocals, they aren't out of place on this song.

On Mad Mad World, Shaggy shares the track with Sizzla and Collie Buddz. The song just doesn't have anything to it. The lyrics attempt to be deep and thoughtful but there is just no feeling in the song and the beat doesn't seem to fit with the lyrical content at all.