For decades, Orville Richard Burrell CD of Kingston, Jamaica has been delivering island sounds that feel at home when you’re trying to vibe in the club or relax with your lover. Yet, by this distinction, you might not know him. Shaggy, however, is an internationally known reggae icon with a variety of hit songs, including, “Oh Carolina,” “It Wasn’t Me,” “Boombastic,” and “Angel.” Winning multiple Grammys among other awards, there may be a bit you don’t know about the rapper/singer. For starters, Shaggy’s Marine history after moving with his mother to New York City when he was 18 years old.
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Was Shaggy in the Marines?
Yes, Shaggy was a Marine after enlisting in 1988. Shaggy as a Marine would serve with a MOS of 0811 (Field Artillery Cannon Crewman). He fought in the Gulf War.
Reaching the rank of a Lance Corporal, Shaggy was demoted twice. He served as a part of the 10th Marine Regiment within a Field Artillery Battery. His demotions were due to leaving his duty to create music.
Picturing Shaggy a Marine feels a bit out of place as we generally associate him with his artist persona, shows, music videos, and overall vibes.
However, his service helped defend America. It is a welcomed addition to the growing list of celebrities who have and continue to serve.
While this alone is enough to be thankful for, it’s also worth noting that Shaggy’s Marine Corps service also helped create the artist we know today. A somewhat surprising revelation the “In the Summertime” artist made known on TikTok in 2024.
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Can a Drill Instructor Get Song Credits?
Before showing the nation his appreciation, before the fame and success, Shaggy was still Orville Burrell serving as a Devil Dog.
During this time, he would find inspiration and the perfect way to practice his toasting voice that would make him a dancehall icon while he was in the Marine Corps.
Growing up in Jamaica with his grandmother, Shaggy was exposed to plenty of island sounds. He would fall in love with music, particularly dancehall.
DJ King Yellowman would be a huge influence on the artist along with other unique finds in his grandmother’s record collection that would help inspire his first international hit “Oh Carolina” in 1993.
However, between finding Jamaican DJs and creating a hit single, Shaggy was in the Marines. Here, he would create a voice to mock his drill instructors as a joke for his fellow troops.
This is the voice that he would use in his breakout hit and the rest is history.
“But I got this voice by mocking drill instructors, in the military. ‘Cause in the Marines, drill instructors would go, ‘Aye bwoy drop n give it 20, les go bwoy,’ and I would mock them as a form of joking. Because it motivated, you know, your platoon. I just sang that song in that voice. Because you know that’s…it sounded cool. And all of a sudden ‘Oh Carolina’ blew up and now I’m faced with the situation that I’m gonna have to sing every song like that,” said Shaggy.
The singer also notes that not all of his tracks use this voice, citing “Big Up” and “Mampie” as examples.
As Shaggy the Marine, he was often called to do vocal cadences by drill instructors leading to further jokes. However, the artist also credited this as a chance to enhance his vocal capabilities.
Shaggy Marine Experience Helped Produce Hits
Serving in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Shaggy lived the military life and became a better man for it.
Not only did he learn about the world and get a chance to hone in a singing voice that would make him a household name, but he also credited his time serving as an opportunity to develop discipline and become a harder worker.
It goes to show that Shaggy’s time as a Marine is a snapshot of similar experiences. Serving our nation while also developing lifelong skills that are both tangible and intangible.
Just remember, if you do decide to mock your drill instructor as a plight to become the next Shaggy Marine story, you do so at your own risk. Should someone ask where you got the idea from—it wasn’t me.
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