Born in Kingston, Jamaica. Real name Orville Richard Burrell. The name Shaggy is a childhood nickname given to him by his friends after the character in the Scooby Doo cartoons.

Shaggy left Jamaica at the age of 18 and headed to New York, where he began his music career.

His first tracks were hardcore dancehall. Both Mampie and Big Up hit the number one spot in the US Reggae charts.

In 1988 he joined the US Marines and eventually ended up fighting in the Gulf War.

Real international success appeared in 1993 with his debut album Pure Pleasure and with singles like Oh Carolina and Boombastic.