Shaggy Reveals He Made Up The Voice In ‘It Wasn’t Me’ & Many Other Hit Tracks

In the video Shaggy posted, he said, “The drill instructors would go, 'Yeah, boy, drop and give it 20. Let’s go, boy.' And I would mock him as a form of joking because it motivated your platoon. I just sang that song in that voice because it sounded cool.” So he sang a cover of “Oh Carolina” in his froggy, made-up voice, and people loved it.

Shaggy Reveals He Made Up The Voice In ‘It Wasn’t Me’ & Many Other Hit Tracks

Shaggy, the renowned singer behind hits like "Boombastic," has recently revealed that his distinctive singing voice was influenced by his time as a U.S. Marine. In a recent interview, he shared that his throaty, unique voice was actually a result of imitating the commanding tones used by Marine drill instructors. This unexpected inspiration has propelled Shaggy's career and endeared him to fans worldwide.

Shaggy's Military Experience:
In 1988, at the age of 18, Shaggy enlisted in the U.S. Marines. He was deployed to Kuwait for the first Gulf War and served until his discharge in 1992. During his time in the Marines, he found himself often mimicking the commanding voices of the drill instructors. Little did he know that this playful imitation would eventually become a defining feature of his singing style.

The Birth of Shaggy's Iconic Voice:
In a video posted by Shaggy, he revealed that he would mock the drill instructors' voices as a form of lighthearted humor in the Marine platoon. He found that it motivated his fellow soldiers. One day, he decided to sing a cover of "Oh Carolina" in the distinct, throaty voice he had developed. To his surprise, people loved it. Encouraged by the positive response, he decided to continue singing in that unique style.

He continued, “Now I’m faced with the situation that I’m gonna have to sing every song like that.” And he did, and it worked. The two-time Grammy-winning artist, who became a fan favorite of the late and legendary Michael Jackson, has over a dozen studio albums, and over 30 years of making music singing in that distinctive voice. Well done, Mr. Lover Lover!

Embracing the Unique Sound:
With the success of his cover, Shaggy realized that he had stumbled upon something special. He embraced his newfound vocal style and began incorporating it into his original songs. The distinctive voice, often described as "froggy," became his trademark. Fans were captivated by the raw, raspy quality of his voice, and it set him apart from other artists in the industry.

A Career Defined by a Unique Voice:
Shaggy's decision to sing in his Marine-inspired voice proved to be a turning point in his career. Over the past three decades, he has released over a dozen studio albums, earning him two Grammy Awards and a dedicated fan base. His collaboration with the late Michael Jackson further solidified his status as a beloved artist in the music industry.


Shaggy's journey from the U.S. Marines to international music stardom is a testament to the power of unique inspiration. His decision to embrace the voice he developed while imitating drill instructors has set him apart as a truly distinctive artist. For more intriguing content, visit our website at www.purejamaicamedia.com 

SOURCE : BET