The Story of 'It Wasn’t Me' by Shaggy

When Shaggy recorded his Hot Shot album, containing “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel”, the label dismissed it as a throw-away album with “no hits”. “It Wasn’t Me” wasn’t even released as a single. But a series of happy accidents, some illegal downloading, and sheer determination, propelled “It Wasn’t Me” to become one of the first viral crossover hits. VICE met up with Shaggy on the 20th anniversary of Hot Shot which coincides with the release of his brand new Hot Shot 2020 album.
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[@VICE]

WATCH NEXT: Why “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” Was So Controversial - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmG8iJqQq6h8pZo

[@trexbisnar2541]

KAAYO

[@centroid518]

These days more and more men are feeling that way...

[@andrewholem793]

0:55 😅😅 1:02 1:03 😅 1:07 1:10

[@stronginthebrokenplacesglo458]

The​@@trexbisnar2541

[@gooby1926]

Again. The documentary nobody asked for but, everyone wanted

[@mmo6360]

Best comment here

[@stevencoardvenice]

I know right

[@Vincent-Vega24]

I love your hair Phil Spectorr!!!! LMAO I was in Pulp Fiction!!! LOL

[@BloodNote]

LOL Right I clicked on this out of curiosity. LOL

[@RambofromWarzone]

I’m sure some folks asked for this one lol

[@luigamefan]

The guy who put that song on Napster smiles in the dark still to this day.

[@_Leooooo]

Underrated comment

[@youshallprosper2]

Haha it was the FIRST song I ever downloaded!

[@davidhoffman8602]

It wasn't him

[@YTho-ev1ej]

I wonder if the guy would even remember

[@Irontrucker]

Bump lol

[@stephenkennedy4493]

Makes you wonder what other great music is sitting on a shelf somewhere never to be heard because of some corporate decision.

[@Gebrueder_Glatze]

I asked myself the same question. Not everyone gets to have a happy accident like them.

[@rush2112andahalf]

and also wonder...

[@stephenkennedy4493]

@lulu belle fixed. and lol as well

[@sam_s_]

The odds are that what would be your favorite song is out there, unreleased or at least unheard by you. I have always said that if I found a magic lamp and had 3 wishes, one of them would be to have every song that I really like, including ones I have never heard or don't remember, given to me.

[@dr.zombiex]

That. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤬

[@doomguy3662]

Watching the story behind this song makes me think about how many great songs went unreleased in the past because of the people from record labels. Now, thanks to the internet, these artists can release anything they want for people to hear.

[@tchapman7539]

The beauty of the net now, you dont need a label. Someone will find you.

[@kimcastaneda8426]

Oh carolina😊

[@kimcastaneda8426]

Oh Carolina

[@illfigure9270]

Chill guys he wasn’t cheating. He was in an entanglement

[@Pmyby]

fresh prince is not happy with that comment

[@handsondeckGH]

@@Pmyby if he questions him he'll just say "it wasn't me"

[@Spookylips]

The way I SCREAMED 😂😂😂

[@Veri7a]

ahhhh, thas hot - Will Smith

[@christiangonzalez480]

Parminder singh Petty!! lol 😆

[@bernardkyng8621]

The most poignant thing about this, and it was all enlightening and inspirational, was when Shaggy said “11 people bought homes and started their lives from that record.” That’s powerful!

[@wickedhouston5538]

record companies are full of idiots who know nothing about music and have never written a song in their life. stop signing to idiots who want to steal your money

[@cedric3973]

This statement shows just how humble he is, you can tell that je and the people around him view it as a job and that they did so well that I changed people's lives so much. The thing he is most proud of is people starting their lives because he succeeded. Not that I am the best in the world mentality, but rather we all did well enough to were people started their lives. Such a powerful, humbling statement

[@mmmodafoca]

what does he mean by that?? is he talking about his team that made the song?? or is he talking about the executives that didn't give a damn

[@melpineda7635]

Perfect tight circle💯

[@melloLL4722]

@@mmmodafoca I believe Shaggy is including those execs that didn't give a damn.

[@goose7112]

That one random guy who uploaded the album online literally made shaggy successful. Yet he's still anonymous. Hats off . It wasn't me though 🙄

[@RottenInDenmarkOrginal]

They guy who off loaded it and PLAYED it is THE GUY that sparked it. They both deserve credit!

[@timothypaulino8454]

That is weird, like how did that guy even get the album? lol. It be even funnier if he was just one of those guys who just uploaded whatever album he could get ahold of and he probably has no idea he was the one who uploaded shaggy.

[@rickyscarff7924]

probably shaggy

[@autohmae]

They send out 250 demos to radio stations. It's not uncommon something gets leaked

[@andrewmckenley5355]

LOL

[@loveflowerchainsaw]

My jaw actually fell down when he said that nobody at the label who listened to Angel liked it or thought it was a single. They played that song so much on the radio here and I still love it

[@jermainegray9688]

You heard that too mind blowing

[@victoriavezich7914]

The way I audibly gasped. 😂😂

[@rodsean]

Goes to show you some record label folks have little clues

[@victoriavezich7914]

@@rodsean ikr I wonder how many angels they let go 🤔

[@tobagolee]

Racist execs😮

[@hannaboba7965]

Moral of the story: pirated music can save a musicians career, how ironic

[@OgIKidd]

Not really ironic at all. The most organic and longest lasting hits.artists have generally been via artist to listener, sampling, and piracy which all worked hand in hand to create whole subcultures and today's current streaming methods. People think that James Brown has always been this super popular and well respected artists. Which isn't entirely the case. The distinct practice and art of theft in music when done with reverence and honest intentions has helped to start, save, and immortalize various careers of countless artists. Some artists have even openly told their fans to pirate their music, others still make it free on purpose knowing two important things. It'll probably spread faster, and in turn generate potentially larger audiences at shows. As an added bonus it does the job of directly market testing every song to see what is a real "hit," and thus, which ones deserve financing further for videos and other promo. Even in the practice of film making, leaks have led to movies being greenlit. One of the most recent examples being Deadpool. The moral of the story is.... Sail responsibly, my friends.

[@tusharg2751]

Yes. Napster saved Shaggy Career

[@Ghost19_]

For once Napster did something for the history!

[@KittyLocYo]

Same thing happened with Breaking Bad lol. The people dictate success - rarely ever the execs.

[@RealLaone]

@@OgIKidd Exactly. Its more about bringing music to the masses and generating popularity, some share the music illegally so some can hear and buy. Everybody wins. Some cannot afford to buy even.

[@TySoloMusic1]

People need to realise this song is STILL the biggest selling dancehall song of ALL TIME.

[@LaPetite510]

☻

[@RealLaone]

woah really? With how fired up Sean Paul came with the songs in that Trinity album arguably the best album to ever exist. I really wouldn't have guessed this to be honest. But can't argue against it because I do stream the song from time to time.

[@doccholo905]

Still love this song and blasting it

[@musaniikhefa1244]

@@RealLaone trinity album sold 2.5m worldwide ,Hot shot 10m worldwide you really cant compare.....but then trinity had some big songs.....we be burnin,temperature ,the keyshia cole collabo etc which did well in the charts

[@davidhoffman8602]

So this is dancehall?

[@89five3five]

Moral of the story: Don't allow others to tell you what your dreams are worth. Believe in yourself

[@perfecthomeimprovements717]

No matter how many times u fail dust ur self off and try again we never know what's around the corner.. God bless

[@jpvoodoo5522]

There's another moral. Don't ever get yourself in a situation where a label can decide not to promote your work and hold you under contract by your balls.

[@solomone6475]

The guy who leaked it is on reddit doing an AMA telling his side to the leak

[@shekitka]

Needs to be the part ii of this

[@redemmaxyz]

I came here bc of that ama post!

[@RobertFritts-u9t]

@solomone6475 - link?

[@tailscashexplosion7196]

Same, what an amazing story, so many accidents happened for this song to be released.

[@cementinquentin]

@@RobertFritts-u9tYT wouldn’t let me post the link. Google “I made accidently made the artist "Shaggy" famous by leaking his aong "It wasn't me" back in the 1990s AMA”

[@checheba25]

Was a banger, still a banger... 100% infidelity 100% talent 0% was me

[@nirvaya]

Most of us in Nepal just sang along with this song, without knowing much about what the lyrics meant. Some naughty motherfuckers even performed it in college programs and the people in charge didn't know what it meant, but just so groovy, lol. Shaggy and team definitely gave us some of the best memories as 2000s teens. (Ah... Ah.... Shaggy) 😂😎

[@ThatGuyRye420]

But she caught you on the counter..

[@pauulkubasek1815]

Riley Sanders wasn’t me

[@wastedtalent1625]

That song played in my middle school dance and It’s still a banger

[@WizKasipa]

@@nirvaya also performed it here in the philippines at 5th grade lmao

[@missmarionlewis]

The sad part is this has been Shaggy's constant struggle in the industry. Most record labels simply not believing in dancehall music selling records

[@hansdado]

labels are like high school cliques but they're genre cliques and you're adult competing with teenagers situation is dumb as hell how are you gonna be like 30 hearing guys in suits talk about how cool you're not

[@ennenoire]

luckily labels are becoming less of a thing with airplay being less important

[@chi8772]

@@ennenoire airplay is still quite important

[@ennenoire]

@@chi8772 Like on the radio? You sure bruv 😂

[@noakhaha12345]

@@ennenoire labels stay the same in the industry they already have too much money and power to loose any

[@jayh6227]

When it comes on, the whole place STOPS.... then people start either dancing, singing or reminiscing. He killed it on that track.

[@EsteemCommunity]

It's like Shaggy acts his singing voice. The talking pitch is far from his singing one. It's awesome whenever he switches the voice. Legend

[@mwaijamu2964]

It’s not Shaggy singing, that’s Rikrok. Shaggy does the dancehall verses

[@nikoskabbadias]

a lot of singers did. Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, etc etc. Its in order to create a signature voice that people recognize instantly

[@DaisyPusher]

He used to have a think accent too 😅

[@mengmao5033]

@@mwaijamu2964 I thought Esteem meant Shaggy's normal, interview voice vs the one he uses for his songs.

[@mwaijamu2964]

@@mengmao5033 maybe but i’m almost certain he’s talking about in song. The “singing voice” as in the chorus and “talking voice” the verse bc he then goes on to say it’s awesome whenever he switches, as in between the two. Also it’s just a common mistake i grew up listening to the song and only realized the person singing wasn’t Shaggy in my 20s, and I was thinking the same thing lol

[@BUDDYSHADOW]

Guy who uploaded Shaggy's album to Napster was found out. When confronted, he said, "It Wasn't Me!"

[@ScoobaSteveNC]

LMAO

[@VivaLeRevolucion]

Napster fucked this guy

[@kosiancraze4161]

😂😂

[@jong-jongspeaks4224]

Damn it!

[@xxMCUmilexx]

What does RikRok mean? How did the singer get this name together? Can someone who truly knows explain this to me because nowhere can I find this information of how the artist put this name together. Thanks.

[@ManjulaBandara]

"11 people bought houses and started their life out of this record" that was a humble statement ❤️

[@carlosstanton1410]

That part went over a lot of persons heads ‼️

[@Shortmansydrome]

@@carlosstanton1410 yeah I didn't get it, could you explain?

[@cga9659]

@@Shortmansydrome 11 people that were involved in the production of the track became financially stable enough to be able to buy a home and start a new life.... As rich motherfuckers.

[@scoobysnacks1634]

The whole team eats that’s love. Fr fr

[@Thatoneguykid]

Gone are the days when a radio DJs would discover music for everyone. What a great story

[@fxjh21]

Kinda sad they just play what's on the billboard

[@adampatino5372]

I'm glad those days are gone, I'm sure there are plenty more would-be hits that never will-be. Now if anyone can make a song that's good enough, the internet will do the rest. God bless SoundCloud

[@Smook225k]

I’m going to try to bring “fun” back to music and radio

[@adriankepler5254]

The radio is so incredibly repetitive and plays cringy music constantly, the way it is today is going to be the death of it.

[@tenton2000k]

They still do via KZbin.

[@alexx_windycitychi558]

I’m 26 years old but I can still say that this song was a damn hit definitely a part of my childhood those two are legends

[@pinkfeet518]

I’m also 26 and I remember you could not turn on the radio without hearing this song, along with Shaggy

[@PookieLoc]

Facts

[@T.williz]

Yup I’m 18 and believe me this song will hit for many generations to come but who would’ve thought that we were the ones who put it up like whaaaa

[@BsGaming732]

27 and every cookout/party/get together/event played this song. i couldn't help but dance to it. looking back now i used to wonder why the adults would laugh when id sing this song lmao

[@SupremeCyril]

I’m 26 also and I’m Nigerian born and raised so that should tell u how far that song went.😅

[@skpdu3505]

DJ: "Who put the album on the internet?" Everyone: "It wasn't me."

[@just1mic82]

@@averya322 it was the rat from Avengers Endgame

[@StrangeNewsFromAnotherStar]

@@averya322 I have a feeling someone in the studio did to piss the executives off lmao

[@FletchaVibeEnt]

Wish you could check out this single, would appreciate #fortheladiesorthebedroom ⬇️ 🔥 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWW0nHephsl3n68

[@MrTknox19]

When I was a kid, I always assumed that Shaggy talked the way he sings.

[@twinfactor3446]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ng_jr0096]

We are Jamaicans... We have a different voice for evert occasion 🇯🇲🔥😂

[@foxyjai]

YESSSSS WTHH

[@yoitsmedeej6986]

Until 20 mins ago when this video started I thought he talked like he sings 🥴🤷🏾‍♂️

[@daviddulom8258]

Same lol

[@fogatron503]

Pirating music illegally caused the record label and artists to make millions.

[@abc123hshdhd8w]

How so? Im curious

[@AleXcsGaming]

@@abc123hshdhd8w when a song is pirated and easily downloaded with a few clicks it makes the song accessbile by millions of people that would have otherwise never heard it. this is why today music is free on youtube, while 20 years ago it was paid

[@golddragon51296]

@@abc123hshdhd8w did you watch the fucking video???? a hawaiian dj pirated it and launched the song.

[@MeazurAli]

That how some you tubers musicians got sign on major records too cause their song is easily obtained

[@notapplicable4567]

Oh the irony

[@thailandretromods]

My biggest take away is how nice those two guys are. So humble, respectful and polite.

[@voice.of.reason]

Apart from the swearing

[@Justakatto]

​@@voice.of.reasonthat's completely unrelated lmao

[@FernandoMartinez-23]

This story is jus AMAZING. To think that the song almost didn't see the light of day and thanks to Napster and a dj in Hawaii the song blew up is jus awsome.

[@nmeyers92]

Same thing happened with the song “I’m Blue” by Eiffel 65

[@Bensux]

@LosN Found Millenials defintely know about Napster. _"The Brookings Institution defines the millennial generation as people born between 1981 and 1996"_ I was born within that time frame, and I remember hearing about Napster in 1997. I spent all my teen years downloading from LimeWire, FrostWire, ShareBear, iMesh, Shareaza, etc. And I was also lucky enough to step foot in a record store, albeit it was right around the time that all of them started disappearing. Anyone born in 00's is considered to be a _generation Z._

[@growingmelancholy8374]

It's crazy how if Eddy Murphy didn't have that joke, the song wouldn't have been.

[@peacheskong2245]

Napster ooo the feels

[@youcommenttoomuch]

@@nmeyers92 that's that ⛽

[@King-Vis]

This song was so big, they even performed it at Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary special. MJ loved this song!

[@BunnyLoveMads]

I love MJ!! That’s so cool! I didn’t know that!!!!!

[@jamsng]

@@BunnyLoveMads really u didnt watch MJ's special?

[@BunnyLoveMads]

What’s the title of it? I’d like to! I don’t believe I had before! :) :) :)

[@emitwilson8906]

@@BunnyLoveMads 30th anniversary 2001 at Madison Square Garden

[@JulieStardoll]

yes he did!!!

[@tanmayold8972]

SHAGGY is so bloody underrrated. This man was a hit-machine and still rocks every feature he does.

[@pvic6959]

makes a song that _accidently_ becomes #1 in all countries. now thats one hell of an accomplishment

[@last7509]

Tom Brady brought it back to life. The man can do anything.

[@kimkalimi]

He really have a great songs like Hey Sexy Lady and Angel.

[@ashkanrmp7442]

These documeries made me just realize nothing comes easy withut rejection at first! When i heard these tracks i used to think 2 ppl just got together made a song and got lucky and thats it! But watching this made me understand it takes courage, hard work and just abit of luck. Thanks vice

[@itsjhonneyrey]

i need this word man

[@xtinctstyle]

not a bit of luck. A lot!

[@jahnilee2026]

Just the first couple of guitar strokes takes me backkkkkk ohh! The NOSTALGIA !!

[@jahnilee2026]

Dude did i just get a like from fucking VICE! ..AND 69 likes..... Im a freakin celebrity!! Ahh! Soo dope

[@Sammysam44]

Absolute nostalgia

[@colorfulcodes]

@Q 😂😂😂

[@AI-Consultant]

@@jahnilee2026 praise that vice intern who get's it!

[@jahnilee2026]

@@dewilew2137 😂😂😂 you are all coming with ME !!

[@MYTB-rs5yz]

I was 8 years old singing “saw me banging on the sofa, wasn’t me!” & I didn’t even know what that meant back then. Good times!

[@Lady_Tee15]

😂🤣

[@ramsy351]

Likewise lol

[@jasonpottinger4094]

Now that you are older I’m sure you won’t get caught 😉

[@catherine92841]

Same! Past 20 years have been jamming this and I might not have known at 8 years old what I was singing but I was singing my heart out

[@sachinsrivastava629]

😂😂 and now u do !!

[@melaniebuford]

Sad how no one believed in Shaggy before It Wasn’t Me was a hit. Shaggy paved the way and open doors for artists like Sean Paul.

[@properuser]

Bruh Sean Paul was already famous back then he had this song called temperature.

[@melaniebuford]

@@properuser bruh do the math. Sean Paul’s first album came out in 2000. But his album that was a hit for him was in 2002. The song and album Temperature came out in 2005. It Wasn’t Me was way back when in 2000 that paved the way. Nice try though for not correcting me lol.

[@melaniebuford]

@@properuser Nope.

[@Badmansband]

The industry is full of stories like this through. I mean, it took 1 year for Appetite For Destruction to be recognised. There wasnt a single band in the world with that sound. Could you imagine what the industry would have been like if Motley Crue were the best band of the 80s?

[@melaniebuford]

@@Badmansband or Nsync? Thanks to the Backstreet Boys we had Nsync. Thanks to Nsync we have Justin Timberlake today.

[@realyaadie]

These songs hit even hard when you learn how they were created 💯🔥🔥🔥

[@ClarkPotter]

-er?

[@tiaraevans37]

That's a Fact 💯

[@robokast]

This is actually beautifully edited

[@teebelles921]

It really was

[@davidhoffman8602]

@Q Actual like legit editing. But for real I totally thought that before I literally read it here.

[@davidhoffman8602]

@Q I was actually literally concurring

[@davidhoffman8602]

@Q Literally literally literally.

[@aedanokelly5794]

Here the verified KZbinr who’s channel has died

[@cmac6136]

I would have never thought that I would enjoy a mini shaggy documentary this much. Well done vice.

[@makerkandike9810]

This is one KZbin recommendation that came out of nowhere but I'm freaken happy it did!

[@aishah54321]

Same

[@rusbella3466]

Same here

[@AkoToMarjon]

Same

[@isaacgeorge883]

@@AkoToMarjon hahaha.. same.. KZbin works in mysterious ways. hahaha

[@StarDustCrusaders12]

Same

[@respeezy]

I just watched the story of "get busy" and now this one, who produced this series?! It is simply amazing, I am going to watch everything this guy produced.

[@Apo_Ni_Baby_Kupal]

Moral of the story: Corporate suits know nothing about music.

[@Stevies_Remote]

They know nothing about anything lol 😂

[@NewAgeGamesVR]

Yep 👍 and they still got a piece 🤷‍♂️

[@CinHalCedHerChance]

corporate suits are run and owned by those who want to control a certain narrative. It's no accident that today's rap is violent and angry and in turn, the population is turning that way. The 90s were nothing but good vibes and in turn, everyone was chill in the 90s. just dig deep, google the label names, CEOs etc.. see what their ethnic/religious backgrounds are, you'll start connecting the dots. ;)

[@NYJWR07]

@@CinHalCedHerChance yeah no that's definitely not true for the 90's. Also Rap has never been as diverse and as popular as it is now. Rap in the early 90's was good vibes and gangster rap and the closer the 2000's got the more gangster rap has gotten. If you look at the last decade, rap "tackles" all sorts of issues, starting from social injustice to mental disabilities/illnesses. And still there are a lot of artists that keep sending out good vibes, it's just that there's a lot of rap-artists to choose from. Music from the last decades gets romanticised, but there was a lot of garbage. Only the best prevail and will be remembered, so naturally almost anything we hear from the 90's is a classc.

[@CinHalCedHerChance]

@@NYJWR07 "a lot of artists to choose from".. BUT, which ones are getting the proverbial limelight? The negative ones. Tekashi 🤡, lil UZI (need I say more about the name)?, The gate files, anger stuff is taking over and leading... And there are so many little one hit wonders, where they plump out a hit and you don't hear much from them after. Have to disagree, but no heat in this discussion. The 90s rap and r&b were on point. 🔥 112, Nelly, Nas, R.Kelly, N.E.X.T.... damn good times and flow. Miss that energy. But it's all about a certain group that controls the narrative now, creating the divisiveness.... Sadly, it's working.

[@jonbourgoin182]

Shaggy’s normal voice is not at all how I imagined lol

[@robbylebotha]

He went from Shaggy to a David

[@Beansahol]

Is anyone else seriously surprised by Shaggy's speaking voice?

[@gearriewest3302]

Not surprised.

[@fredvima9916]

it wasn't me

[@Wave02Z]

Not really, Jamaicans households tend to place a very high value on proper communication, grammar, education and things like that.

[@bishopm4401]

@@Wave02Z I think what he’s saying is if you’ve never heard him speak before(like myself) we kinda expected him to sound like he does in the song

[@arunak1818]

Yeah I was like whey d jamaican accent

[@1upRosie]

I grew up in Hawai'i and this song was HUGE. We already loved reggae though so it was an easy sell. This was such an incredible and heart warming story.

[@iamthenews5624]

Thank you Hawaii!

[@IkaikaArnado]

Haha, elementary school kids were signing this on the islands.

[@1upRosie]

@@IkaikaArnado lol it was me

[@solarheartz]

i don't think ppl outside of hawai'i really understand how important shaggy's music was to our local culture... had every kānaka, sole, pakē, kama'aina, haole, etc., singing along to every piece of his music throughout the 2000's. a treasure for hawai'i frl!

[@nikomouse6583]

Yup I went to his concert in kauai and everybody jumped the fence when that song came on Hawaii loves reggae! Inner circle was playing too.

[@myusernamethisiss]

Whoever is editing these "story of" videos better be getting a raise!!!! It's just too beautiful.

[@jefferi78]

imagine how many good songs buried by record management just because they don't like it.

[@jeremy-ws1rb]

Well if it sounds trash to me then no

[@peterjunioreriaku9832]

Harsh but if they pay you, that's life

[@SP-df1nm]

they don't know what they're doing. most of the thing they're pushing now is garbage. I've always had to go out of my way to find good songs.

[@savannahbennett642]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@SlantedLand]

True. And indie artists have to hustle even harder to be heard. Thank goodness for KZbin.

[@Sargent-h2f]

All humble men and it's beautiful! Even Shaggy's bragging about 11 people able to buy their houses and start their lives is the nicest non-bragging brag

[@grxy5924]

I respect it tho, that song changed their lives forever. And they deserved it tbh 🍻

[@emmanuelwil-jeff]

shaggy being reel i definitely believe it wasn't me was everyone's saving grace on that team and history was made it was interesting to see how it all came together

[@TylerSane5]

Especially in the music industry where 70% of people get screwed hard! And I ain't talking bout casting couch haha

[@ashleylawrence3468]

Yes!!

[@AI-Consultant]

how many houses did the executives at the record label buy from it with creative accounting

[@DELPHIIII]

This is one of the most timeless songs in history. Will still be a banger 500 years from now.

[@hipnhappenin]

No pun intended

[@mrcreepypastaigotapastatop4461]

It will still be a banger 3000-999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 years from now

[@jonbourgoin182]

I was not expecting to watch more than a minute of this video. That 25 minutes went by quick.

[@beevsbar4627]

same

[@isemej4590]

I didn't realize is was 25 mins long until I saw your comment! lol. Felt like 10 mins

[@chocOneOOne]

was literally just thinking the same thing....I just queued it up and was about to close the browser tab but never did. Guess this video and the song have something in common.

[@kdsingh3765]

Literally

[@bryce9100]

Same here

[@hansmueller1831]

Everyone in that video is so friendly, likeable and not taking themselves too seriously :)

[@RickyDBerny]

Everyone only focused on thier passion for music tjats all, while those exect just focus on money

[@markoelwhooligan2539]

Unlike a lot of artist in this generation.

[@ZZ-vl5nd]

The guy aka International way of talking is just captivating. If he had some podcast or commentary on something, he will be hilarious

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

You know shaggy is from scooby doo? Shaggy :" wearly?"( scooby voice).

[@araps4w354]

Here in Africa, Shaggy was already a major star with his “Fantastc/Boombastic” song.. Which was playing everywhere for quite a while. “it Wasn’t Me” was only a natural progression

[@eznosnopes5276]

Classic song!

[@mrmushin1]

I remember bombastic being used on the levi advert

[@UziBlancoOfficial]

Yes boombastic was another major hit

[@soundpuppy1212]

Facts...that Bombastic remix was massive

[@AtheneHolder]

same here in the Caribbean... he was already a big star with "Mr Boombastic" and with Maxi Priest in "That Girl"

[@apolloeimai]

Iconic song. Still sounds fresh over 20 years later.

[@AdamCeladin]

Destiny works in Strange Ways....God Bless that DJ in Hawai !!!

[@delanoblanco2248]

Choices determine your destiny

[@KC11ON]

And the uploader

[@christopherbarrientos9651]

Yeah the uploader is the real hero. Equivalent to the rat from endgame

[@NuttyMongrel]

I read that as "dentistry works in strange ways" I was like why tf does this comment have so upvotes

[@jayskicksnfits9372]

*Hawaii*

[@KarenJewels]

This shows how much labels dont know. The people decide what's good

[@nzgamelife323]

This just makes me remember the fake ass reason for the middle east(Dstorm/shield) war in the 90s. Remember Sad Kuwaiti girl? She was like the imaginary WMD of early 2000s but in the 90s. Catalyst for justified war.

[@patricktsai2303]

power to the people !

[@Tonshmar]

....and HAUNS!! 😄 Not everyone can recognize good music. That song was a BANGER!!

[@lakrishiw]

Right

[@djkoolkhris]

That's because you're not thinking three-dimensionally

[@wmfrestorationinc5720]

FBI: "Did you pirate this song and upload it to Napster?" Guy who did it: "It wasn't me."

[@gustavocubias841]

Nice

[@waterdroplets1627]

Lol

[@kakomagic]

This song defined the early 2000's. It's phenomenal.

[@everyxheart]

We were so close to not hearing this masterpiece.

[@anujasathischandra9897]

Imagine how many amazing hits like this were actually lost like this one luckily wasn’t!

[@doncorleon9]

Damn. We almost didn't hear it!

[@anwjuice]

@@anujasathischandra9897 it should of been lost

[@JCem8409]

His voices are like 2 different personalities that’s crazy!

[@magnolia2]

Yeah I’ve never heard him speak “normal” in my almost 30 years of living. 😅🤣

[@peacheskong2245]

@@magnolia2 A*Ameerican english

[@TheEd1225]

I remember hearing shaggys normal voice shortly after the hit came out as a kid and was instantly disappointed

[@BloodNote]

I never heard him speak until just now. LMFAO 20 years later. I was like "whaaaa? THAT'S how he sounds?" 😂😂

[@LokiTheGodofMischief]

What? Thats how Carribean folk are LOL. You probably know a few that won't speak in their real voice or accent. Try pissing them off you will stare at them trying to understand what they are saying in their accent.

[@luchaichai]

Dear VICE, this is the content I've been looking for.

[@sonatavictoria]

Me too!Exactly this.

[@MrA1wizard]

A common trend with these hits is the challenges the artists faces in getting their music accepted. Just shows you that you need to have confidence and resilience in this business

[@Jazzybellshouse]

Shaggy: has an accent when he raps but talks with an American accent. Rik Rock: no accent singing but has an accent when he talks

[@blue9multimediagroup]

Code switching

[@UXtatic]

To clarify...the average Jamaican adjusts accents based on the location or person. Shaggy speaks Jamaican in Jamaica. He knows his Vice audience is international so he adjusts, plus he knows how since he lived in NY.

[@MrBjorn6]

@@UXtatic Very true, but according to my grandma, my father always spoke like a posh Jamaican, but he moved to England as a teenager.

[@thatlchiponda3368]

Rik Rock grew up in Britain and he is British born to Jamaican parents

[@andrewrivard4458]

Ozzys understandable when singing/ performing but when he's talking it's something else

[@ashmapathak]

Imagine how many good gems are crushed by these “censorship” in label. Trying to play it safe.

[@sshlept8070]

That's why you can't trust the number of views/listens on music. It's just a matter of how hard do you want to look for new music.

[@jesilynesguerra3828]

Hello there! Please visit my YT Channel and watch my drum cover titled IT WASN'T ME By SHAGGY. Please support my channel and don't forget to like, subscribe, comment and share. THANK YOU. It will be very appreciated ❤ kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3-1iHl-oZlrm5I

[@ariadarabi]

@@sshlept8070 A LOT of unheard artists out there are drowned out by the 'viral' thing that's been happening with music since the Beatles and Elvis.

[@sshlept8070]

@@ariadarabi Yes, but on the other hand, before them we had the blues which was played only in churches and bars. They made practically nothing, and we are still digging up tracks from almost a century ago. Viral means nothing, besides a distraction from everything else. Good music will always prevail.

[@prodbygustavo]

The average person who doesn’t know much about the business has no idea. There’s so much more to that 3 minute song you might like. It could’ve been done in a day.. could’ve taken months to complete and a few YEARS to come out. So just like you’re saying.. but think of all the gems that are just stored on someone’s computer, not even in the hands of a label. Songs that’ll never see the light of day! It can get even deeper than that. Music is amazing and it’s a language that will never die.!

[@CaliFuego]

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with these “The Story of…” they’re like constant walks down pleasant memory lane. Severely nostalgia-inducing, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I legit used to stay up all night just to hear this song play on the radio as much as I could in a 24-hour span.

[@TeetheSingingBee]

Yes!! Very Behind the Music (but for a song) or Pop Up Video!

[@willlastnameguy8329]

When he said it was written 20 years ago, I died inside.

[@johnwilliams983]

That caught me like wow

[@Wil_Dasovich]

Damn what a story

[@lifewithalii]

Hiiii kuya wiiiiil

[@aestheticasian1667]

Wil you should visit romblon for your next youtube content

[@canzouxfps]

Aye will is here

[@ARINPEPI]

Heey it wasn't wil

[@hairystyles4212]

Mark

[@flaplaya]

Shaggy has looked like he's 30 for almost 30 years now lol. Dude is extremely talented, never made a song I didn't like.

[@lcshotta]

The Pharrell effect they call it

[@giiemm2633]

Accurate af

[@ethanhunt7831]

@@lcshotta shaggy is older than pharrel so its in fact the shaggy effect

[@yolovideos8084]

@@ethanhunt7831 the Keanu effect

[@Raqque]

I just love watch people talk about what they love to do.

[@efany82]

OMG same!

[@Tw0Dots]

This comment is actually very wholesome. Most people naturally like to talk about themselves and can be instinctively selfish so, very sweet mindset to have :)

[@Yahya-gb8zn]

Why the hell do you have 150k subscribers with video making 300 views looool

[@josephshannon6760]

Garth Brooks is the best I'm a black man who listening to Garh Brooks. My favorite song is The Dance.

[@JuriAmari]

Yes! I love seeing people looking passionate and having fun while talking. :) It’s great!

[@Bigchannel34]

For those of you who don't know how legendary this song is, let me add this. This song actually has a usage and became a legal term in the U.S "shaggy defense." This defense was famously used in R. Kelly's first trial and it was successful.

[@AnnaCarter18]

What does this defense mean? I do not understand military terminology

[@Bigchannel34]

@@AnnaCarter18 in u.s law the shaggy defense is to deny what took place no matter how guilty you look or how overwhelming the evidence is. The specific case involving R. Kelly I referenced was him peeing on a teenage girl.

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

*infamously

[@april-m5837]

Wow I had to Google this to make sure it was legit. Thanks for sharing.

[@Bigchannel34]

@@april-m5837 Lmaooo criminal justice was my major that's why I know this. But I respect that you did your own research.

[@Teshperer]

Shaggy is huge in Asia.. Hes concert in Colombo, Sri Lanka was sold out and i still remember the struggle for tickets... everybody wanted to see Shaggy in concert! love Shaggy!

[@imperialcereal2640]

That’s so crazy because 10 years ago he played at a car lot in Ohio

[@Splexsychiick]

Cant even imagine how many bops got dumped because of corny record labels.

[@whosthatchick5150]

LITERALLY

[@phonzthezomb9907]

What's a bop

[@MrJrpimp]

Bop sounds negative

[@SSKMusicBeats]

@@phonzthezomb9907 bop is a club banger/hit

[@Splexsychiick]

@@MrJrpimp it isnt negative. bop is good.

[@jdcooks5553]

WAIT ... a dj in Hawaii who stole the song is the reason why it blew up!!! Holy F’IN plot twist.

[@jedslife]

most modern music is stolen in some way

[@katrabbit]

The middle man is still the mysterious guy who somehow uploaded the song to Napster for the dj to steal 🤔

[@caragreene6029]

I know right, coincidence or not but what amazing Cinderella story. Love it!

[@thickMilkk]

I’m glad they gave him a chance to tell his story 💖

[@Gearsandgrease]

RERRY?

[@totem168]

For me, Shaggy is one of the artists that give you a nice tune and never gets old. I started listening to him from the Boombastic. English is not my mother tongue, so even though it has a short lyric, I will play it a few times what it said. That is why most shaggy songs get played repeatedly because they have a nice tune, and some people want to know what it is about. That is a good recipe for making a good song. Thank you, Shaggy

[@randomheroknight2954]

Hans was illegally smoking weed in studio when he said its a hit then someone illegally uploaded shaggys album to Napster and a dj illegally downloaded it and it became a damn hit. they should make a movie out of this lol

[@krisdegs3985]

Fo sure it was hans. Hahaha

[@LivingOnPurpose1]

Titled "Illegally" 🤔😆

[@Spirituallydevine916]

I loooved napster...dial up for real

[@floggyWM1]

@@Spirituallydevine916 fn crazy, it was 40 minutes to download a 5mb song, now i can download 80mb album in 3 seconds

[@Master_Shredtacular]

speaking from experience, you'd be surprised how many recording artists smoke weed in the studio. It's A LOT

[@WHOisThat101]

It Wasn’t Me is forever a classic.. to think it almost didn’t exist is crazy !

[@jxlmg]

RIGHTTTTT 🤯

[@jordanshaw1461]

right this legendary song

[@maximussuffarion7767]

They deserve 100% of the profits and masters. MCA deserves nothing for trying to kill his career.

[@AlexSmith-zy7lj]

Unfortunately those nay sayers probably got the biggest boon from it.

[@jesilynesguerra3828]

Hello there! Please visit my YT Channel and watch my drum cover titled IT WASN'T ME By SHAGGY. Please support my channel and don't forget to like, subscribe, comment and share. THANK YOU. It will be very appreciated ❤ kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3-1iHl-oZlrm5I

[@SmithCommaBenjamin]

Record labels are evil. That's why I have no sympathy for the ruins they became after online file sharing. They're no longer needed.

[@ariadarabi]

The worst part of the story was that they paid them $250,000 in order to have their album assessed.

[@adrielle088]

For some, the artists only get about 10%, so the record labels always are the winners in these scenarios

[@axelkusanagi4139]

The hook takes me right back to the new millennium without fail. Hard to believe something so intrinsic almost didn't happen

[@anonymoususer4489]

It wasn't me and Angel were some of my bestest song from childhood.

[@hurtspublishing3906]

Shaggy is a legend

Its just best

[@kidfazer]

The way shaggy explained banging on the bathroom floor is really what I thought it was as a kid. Genius.

[@theviyan9730]

Probably one of the best short documentaries I've ever watched.

[@scidixreiznov8237]

Ohh yeah

[@jesilynesguerra3828]

Hello there! Please visit my YT Channel and watch my drum cover titled IT WASN'T ME By SHAGGY. Please support my channel and don't forget to like, subscribe, comment and share. THANK YOU. It will be very appreciated ❤ kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3-1iHl-oZlrm5I

[@KalpeshPanchal]

It's so fascinating to realize that one of your best childhood songs has such a remarkable story. Cheers to all the Shaggy lovers 🍺🍻

[@MaxJulian-eb2vf]

Soooo the real MVP of this story is Napster? Man I miss those Napster/Limewire days. Truly wholesome, yet illegal time 🙏🏾

[@Huddybun]

Bearshare lol I bought MANY CDs lol but my giant music collection in hs was courtesy of "music sharing"

[@KevinContreras2013]

Once again, "pirated music" saved the music industry. Now can these corporate overlords just let us be?

[@DustownTV]

internets adventure times :)

[@tagagrande4095]

Metallica and Dr. Dre killed Napster. But it did not stop content sharing. Look at KZbin, the biggest source. Now, 21 years after they just have to ride with the tide.

[@7swordquanta459]

Can't believe an Eddie Murphy skit became the inspiration for the song. So awesome!

[@raqui174]

I know right.. that’s crazy how one thing could have such a profound influence

[@deanivan3951]

Really! It was pretty obvious to me so I'm glad he admitted it.

[@lavellebrooks2706]

Yeah but the music group War provided the melody..

[@mrpimpjuicee]

@@raqui174 the butterfly effect🤩

[@PandasUNITE]

He deserves HALF

[@anthonygordon9483]

They say Pirating ruins a musicians career. In this case it saved his.

[@genesisxik1964]

ive found similar results over the past few years.

[@thomastille8431]

Completely brought him back bro

[@anthonygordon9483]

Its a double edge sword. You got people like Justin Bieber who was made famous cause of the internet and a lot of artist are found over the internet. Than they have the nerve to bottle cap the very thing that made them famous.

[@chelseaap]

Its about money. Has nothing to do whether people enjoy it or not. It dosnt ruin careers, it takes money away from people.

[@xxMCUmilexx]

What does RikRok mean? How did the singer get this name together? Can someone who truly knows explain this to me because nowhere can I find this information of how the artist put this name together. Thanks.

[@johnnydangerous5971]

I never knew Shaggy served in the military that's wassup!!! Huge record back in 200-20001 & it was Michael Jackson's favorite song during that time too💯

[@nicobellic6151]

I was hoping they would mention this. At his 30th anniversary concert he specially requested that they perform t. It was the only song on the show that wasn't one of Michael's!

[@amberb8942]

I love how real the producer is 🤣 he don't give a damn

[@prisonmike3605]

A song that will never run out of style. A true classic.

[@prisonmike6886]

Identity theft is not a joke, Mike.

[@jordanshaw1461]

this songs for all the players telling them to be careful

[@lateshiachilds3640]

Exactly.....timeless music

[@eclipticum]

Wow, I did not think this documentary would be so good and that Shaggy deserves so much respect.

[@djresqvideomix]

✨That's the real power of DJs. Playing new stuff, not following trends and curating good music for the people.

[@kingachiever]

Crazy how records execs think they know what's good and what isn't for a album . They had to learn something new from the musicians .

[@DaFonz808]

A bunch of old rich guys thinking they know what the youth likes. Lol😂

[@nzisawambua4141]

Just imagine someone looking down upon your efforts?.I still don't understand how anyone didn't find this song a hit..these executives be messing up artists.

[@Krafty]

@@nzisawambua4141 Now think of how many other amazing songs by other artists the world has missed out on. Songs that DIDN'T end up like It Wasn't Me by Shaggy. Just because a guy in a suit didn't think they were worthy and the songs never got release.

[@theskiesaredark]

@@nzisawambua4141 Ya but the joke's on the record execs. Nowadays everyone's on Soundcloud and you can self publish. You don't need a record label anymore. That's how Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, xxxtentacion etc got started

[@Geecher1]

They get paid to do the best job they can. Some things just work and nobody knows why. It’s apart of the art. Thens theres assholes that wouldn’t know good music if it hit them on the forehead but got a job cause they know someone.

[@mrroboto6361]

Crazy how, "It wasn't me" Is what put him on the map, and here I've been listening to him since the Boombsastic days and thought a lot of people knew him then, and that wasn't even his first album. When I heard It wasn't me, I knew it would be huge and was happy for him, as I always thought he was great and deserved to be heard.

[@CaliFuego]

Ayyyyyeeeee let ‘em know! “She call me Mr. Boombastic, tell me fantastic…”

[@rjmartinsgutinstinctspodcast]

Right though !! Boombastic !! ha such a vibe. I love shaggy

[@wickedhouston5538]

record companies are full of idiots who know nothing about music and have never written a song in their life. stop signing to idiots who want to steal your money

[@cri1625]

I thought the same thing! I thought EVERYBODY knew who Shaggy was!!! Boombastic was and still is a HIT!!!

[@joancrawford1146]

Mr. Luva-Luva….

[@Obamazilla]

For real vice you gotta pursue this series. “The Story Of” videos are some of my all time favorite vice pieces but they seem so few and far between. I could eat these short docs on songs and their stories for hours. Keep this up.

[@jamestaylor7593]

Just discovered this series of Vice and its brilliant so far . Interesting and inspiring

[@ryanduray1]

This song was a massive hit. Selling 10 million albums in the Napster era is incredible.

[@christopherirving7685]

It's no diffrent now tbf we have youtube and tpb it's easier now than ever but yeah ten mil by anyone's standard is 'great'

[@grxy5924]

Christopher Irving back then it was *even* harder for a song / album to hit Gold or even Platinum status. Way easier nowadays with social media and such.

[@jason4275]

*There wasn't allot of people, who owned computers or even had internet in the Napster Era, or even know how to use Napster.*

[@treym1966]

@@jason4275 But selling HARD albums back then was a feat..

[@BoomSkwad47]

Same game, different metrics. But im from the kazaaaaa generation, or maybe limewire if you prefer.

[@omotolaoyeniyi631]

Eddie Murphy inspired a colosal hit, that's life men

[@meditatewithcastidy6684]

Eddie Murphy is a legend

[@note2owns]

Many of Eddie's one liners made it into hit songs. Example : In Salt N' Pepas "Whatta Man" there is a lyric that goes "That's not iiiit" Taken from Eddie's Delerious Special. Also in Jay Z's "Girls, Girls, Girls" Jay Z references Mrs. OomFuFu. Another one is Raekwons "Ice Cream Man" Method Man yells "The Ice Cream Man is cooommmin" Also taken from Eddie's Delerious Special.

[@lTandermthrust2001]

Hits like this are rare these days. I remember where I was when this song was dropped, We Sailors love it.

[@jesilynesguerra3828]

Hello there! Please visit my YT Channel and watch my drum cover titled IT WASN'T ME By SHAGGY. Please support my channel and don't forget to like, subscribe, comment and share. THANK YOU. It will be very appreciated ❤ kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3-1iHl-oZlrm5I

[@mattdathew2794]

though he himself may not even know even today

[@lusjackson876]

I would have never thought this was the story behind “it wasn’t me”. The song is one of the biggest hit in the world and it’s by mistake lol. Yard man thing Jamaica Jamaica 🇯🇲

[@teflonkc713]

Jamaicans & Carribbean folks are just musical beings. Even a conversation can be a hit. Just put an instrumental on while a Jamaican tells you a story & you got a tune.

[@makingmiracleshappen]

man dem made a song ya rude boy. ya bloodclaaat

[@beccadawson8206]

Loved how he didn't want to brag but how many people bought their own home. That is something to be proud of! Great documentary showing talent from a few that still made it!

[@AntoineTroupe]

This needs to be a movie

[@UXtatic]

Yes!!!!

[@dhirajgawande007]

Totally agree. This 25 min documentary was really catchy

[@ariadarabi]

Honestly. The chances of Shaggy never being a thing was stacked against him. What a way to get noticed, eh?

[@lordflame89]

A full theatrical movie too and not a straight to Netflix thing.

[@abamsper10kchildrenproject]

Sure

[@RingPop14]

I’m so glad we don’t live in a world where this gem of a song doesn’t exist.

[@Krafty]

Are they joking? The album Hot Shot had so many great tracks on it. Multiple tracks worthy of singles. The senior management really had no idea.

[@mkien2005]

I'm just gonna say America doesn't appreciate talent the way the rest of the world does.

[@alienj272]

That Huawei dj needs some serious kudos! Fairplay to ya bro, shaggy you legend

[@eliporter3980]

IDK why but I busted out laughing reading Huawei DJ instead of Hawaii DJ 🤣

[@crashtextdummie]

I never knew this song saved Shaggy's career. As I remember it, he was a solid star in Europe since Oh Carolina and this was just another hit for him. Crazy story.

[@wickedhouston5538]

record companies are full of idiots who know nothing about music and have never written a song in their life. stop signing to idiots who want to steal your money

[@naturegirl2110]

He was big in Jamaica too but that's where he's from

[@TheJjcczz]

They said in the video he was big everywhere except the US

[@lilrock1018]

Well you know how slow the US is....

[@fnjesusfreak]

I know the radio station I used to listen out of Kingston, NY actually played Oh Carolina. I could never understand it at the time, but I was only 13 or 14 at the time and not used to the dialect.

[@camcote3123]

It’s always so sad to think about how many great tracks might be sitting in a landfill because record companies didn’t see the potential. There’s gotta be a better way.

[@Nierez]

the sound of silence

[@wickedhouston5538]

record companies are full of idiots who know nothing about music and have never written a song in their life. stop signing to idiots who want to steal your money

[@frostjune6072]

there is. the better way is self publishing on the internet and its been happening for some time now

[@maxwell_lb7120]

There is, it’s called KZbin

[@melloLL4722]

Let the dj's play it. They'll know! Thanks DJ Pablo!

[@michaelnovember]

The guy who shared it on Napster: "It wasn't me"

[@jesilynesguerra3828]

Hello there! Please visit my YT Channel and watch my drum cover titled IT WASN'T ME By SHAGGY. Please support my channel and don't forget to like, subscribe, comment and share. THANK YOU. It will be very appreciated ❤ kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3-1iHl-oZlrm5I

[@rafaelbrinosa8884]

@@jesilynesguerra3828 NO

[@yubear420]

LMAO

[@andrewmckenley5355]

probly shaggy did it lol

[@raphaelayikwei3904]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣