Number 85: Hot Shot by Shaggy
Release: August 8th, 2000
Genre: Reggae fusion
Favorite Tracks: It Wasn't Me, Luv Me Luv Me, Keep'n It Real
Where I heard it:
Hot Shot is an album that I have a specific memory I associate with my childhood, and it's become much more special to me with time. I had extended family that my mom and I would visit a few times a year in a tiny little town with maybe 2,500 people. I have fond memories in that house of my older cousin Angelica and I playing Super Smash Brothers on her N64, and listening to CDs on her bedazzled boombox which included selections from Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. Did I mention this was the early 2000s? Anyway, I recall an instance where her and I were sitting out on the front porch listening to It Wasn't Me, the breakout single from the album Hot Shot. I was maybe 5 or 6 at the time, so my knowledge of the birds and bees was severely lacking. I'll never forget the expression from Angelica, a few years my senior, after hearing the line from the chorus about being butt-naked, banging on the bathroom floor. "Oh shit!" she exclaimed, to which I was none the wiser; I was more amused that she said a bad word. Angelica passed away last year, and I cherish that trivial memory now more than ever, along with the several other memories her and I have together. I'd like to dedicate this entry to Angelica and her memory. May she rest peacefully.
All the harsh realities appears to come in two and threes
Don't worry 'cause there'd be a better day
One thing I can promise you: just keep on keep'n on
I swear to you there's gonna be a brighter day
~ Keep'n It Real
What to expect:
Having already achieved success with his flagship song Boombastic, Shaggy was furiously working to strike while the iron was hot. While his sophomore effort Midnite Lover received a lukewarm reception, Hot Shot unexpectedly exploded onto the charts, becoming the second-highest selling album of 2001. Featuring a plethora of supporting acts, Hot Shot infuses Shaggy's reggae roots with the best of different genres represented through each song's style. This album draws inspiration from many of reggae's musical cousins, including the funky sample featured in Luv Me, Luv Me, the obvious hip-hop parallels in Keep'n It Real, even the Latin feel of Chica Bonita. These familiar songs embody the pop music vibe prevalent in the early 2000s, and I can't quite put my finger on what qualities evoke that feeling. There's a bouncy feel to each song created by the catchy hooks of more refined vocalists, while Shaggy compliments each chorus with a smooth-talking line that flaunts his promiscuity and flexes his talent as more than just a gimmick. Apart from genius musical incorporation, Hot Shot also provides jamming dancehall tracks that are less ambitious in premise, but executed in a manner that feels no need to reinvent the wheel in order to preserve its timelessness. While certainly not the most conventional reggae album, Shaggy helped breathe new life into a genre that desperately needed more representation on the airwaves with Hot Shot. Its success paved the way for the renaissance of reggae in the 21st century, modeled after this radio-friendly yet groundbreaking musical style.
Life is one big party when you're still young
But who's gonna have your back when it's all done?
It's all good when you're little, you have pure fun
Can't be a fool, son, what about the long run?
~ Angel
Why it's my favorite:
I find a certain charm in attempting to define the sound of music that was made popular at the turn of the millennium. The 80's were dominated by synthesizer technology, the 90's began integrating rap interludes, but the 2000's seem to be missing a clear musical identity. As someone who experienced the 2000's, it's a know-it-when-you-hear-it type feel. For me, Hot Shot represents so much of what makes early 2000's music so unique in comparison: feel-good music that pushes the envelope a bit but not too much with its subject material. Shaggy's vocal style undoubtedly contributes towards the overall character of Hot Shot, but his musical background is the catalyst that helps produce songs that are so simple in premise yet relatable as a listener. Honestly, it's just refreshing to hear pop music injected with a little bit of rhythm. You can hear the charisma in Shaggy's voice as he sings, and I've come to enjoy the juxtaposition between his suave personality and one-of-a-kind flow. Shaggy has managed to stand the test of time in his musical career, and I'm sure that longevity couldn't have been possible without the masterpiece that is Hot Shot.
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