Party like it’s 1999: Shaggy turns back clock in Revere

Victor Kakulu

It may seem like a million years ago, but there was a time when Shaggy could do no wrong.

He dominated the ’90s and the early part of this decade as one of the few — if not the only — dancehall reggae artists to find consistent success in both the U.S. and overseas markets at the time.

With over 20 million records sold to his credit, the self-proclaimed “Mr. Boombastic” took the stage at Club Lido in Revere, Mass., last Friday for a makeup date of a previously postponed show, performing a bevy of hits, old and new.

All things considered, Lido is a pretty decent venue: the dance floor agrees with the stage; on any given night, the sound system is powerful and crisp; and there are lots of places to lay back and cool off, which spells bliss on a big show night.

But it’s fair to say that last Friday’s event was under-attended. Whether the sparse turnout owed more to Shaggy’s falling star or the jacked-up cover charge — tickets were $35 in advance and $45 at the door — is anybody’s guess.

Whatever the reason, it proved to be of little consequence to Shaggy. Backed by a live band and longtime collaborator Rayvon, the man born Orville Richard Burrell delivered a highly spirited set to the club’s eclectic mix of patrons. Appearing jovial and full of energy, Shaggy took the crowd on a joyride down memory lane, playfully running through hit after hit. In an era where former stars often seem to fade away into anonymity, it’s refreshing to see such an accomplished artist still performing with such passion.

“A lot of artist from years past get respect,” said audience member Greg Dawkins. “But there are also many new artists with hunger and talent. It’s hard to compete without a new string of hits. This is why you have to love an artist like Shaggy for what he’s done and continues to do.”

And love him they did. At nearly 38 years of age and full of energy, Shaggy’s signature baritone carried all in attendance through his extensive catalogue. The crowd responded cheerfully as he stimulated fans both old and new to dance and lose themselves in the music. Accompanied by the solid vocals of Rayvon for longtime favorites such as “Big Up,” “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel,” Shaggy delighted the crowd, who needed no prompt to join in. He gave strong performances of each, running through each tune and touching on just over half the song, before teasing into the next.

Swagger and charm intact, Shaggy later performed more recent hits like “Wild2Night,” “Sexy Lady” and the fan favorite “Church Heathen.” The whole night was pure vibes as the playful artist poked fun at himself and the laudably ambitious crowd, often teasing them with suggestive gyrations.

By the time the house lights came on, drawing the entertaining show to a close at about 2 a.m., the last riddim (or rhythm) was still riding fresh in mind — the truest sign of a good night. As lingering patrons made their exit toward the parking lot, “Church Heathen” could be heard on more than a few tongues.

In other words, Shaggy delivered.

Respect.