ORVILLE “SHAGGY” BURRELL AMONG HEADLINERS FOR MARCIA GRIFFITHS & FRIENDS

Shaggy will take the stage for the first time in Jamaica for 2024 when Marcia Griffiths celebrates her 60th year in reggae with a star-studded showcase at the picturesque Hope Gardens on November 3. “Marcia and Friends”, the event of the season, features internationally acclaimed acts including the diamond selling artiste, Busy Signal, Tanya Stephens, Tessanne Chin, Nadine Sutherland, Alaine, Brick & Lace, Duane Stephenson, Tony Gregory, Cutty Ranks, Ras Shiloh and a rich cadre of surprise stars.

We spoke briefly with Shaggy about Marcia Griffiths’ impact on Reggae music and what to expect from the upcoming massive musical showcase –

Q: What’s the significance of a Reggae icon like Griffiths celebrating 60 years in the business and does Jamaica benefit in any way?

A: Marcia is part of an incredible legacy, probably one of the biggest that comes out of Jamaica and the Jamaican culture – by being a part of Bob Marley and the Wailers, and her voice being significant to every single recording there was. She’s a staple, she’s a symbol. To this day there’s not a lot of artistes that are soloists [and] female that have stood the test of time like she has. And, for that itself, she should be celebrated. Celebrating her is celebrating Jamaican culture.

Q: You recently worked with Marcia and others on a version of the Electric Slide for an EV?

A: Yes we recently did the Super Bowl and used “Electric Boogie” for Jeep’s electric car. That was the song they wanted [and] they asked me to produce it. Initially they wanted a version of the song, whether it was her [Marcia Griffiths] or not. I thought, we couldn’t have done that to such an iconic song unless we included her in it. So, I insisted at that point that if I am going to produce this song for the commercial, that Marcia would have to be a part of it. It was only right, since she was the one that made it popular, it was her song. We made a concept for the video that really celebrated her.

Shaggy also informed us that the commercial he produced for Jeep using Marcia’s “Electric Boogie” was highly ranked among the well-received commercials during the 2023 Super Bowl.

Marcia Griffiths speaks fondly about her coming-of-age as a Reggae artiste, her start at Studio One, which she calls Jamaica’s Motown, and the assembly of the I Threes. The significance of this 60th celebration and its impact on Jamaican culture as a whole can be felt through the line-up of illustrious musical acts and powerhouse sponsors such as Appleton Estate, KFC, Tastee, Coca Cola, Tru-Juice, IPrint, Phase Three and others – it is evident that this isn’t just another stage show but a well-deserved celebration of Reggae legacy and heritage. Get your tickets now, online at Caribtix.com or marciagriffiths.com. Ticket outlets include Music Mart in Kingston, Total Gas station in Ocho Rios and Double Scoops in St. Thomas.

ABOUT MARCIA GRIFFITHS

Born in West Kingston, Jamaica, Griffiths started her career in 1964, performing on stage with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires at the behest of Phillip James of The Blues Busters,  who had heard her singing in her home neighborhood. Her performance was sufficiently impressive that the following day Ronnie Nasralla and Clement Dodd both offered her recording contracts. She chose to record for Dodd’s Studio One label, where she recorded a series of duets with male singers such as Tony Gregory (“You’re Mine”), Bob Marley. (“Oh My Darling”), Jeff Dixon (“Words”), and Bob Andy (“Always Together”), with whom she would have a relationship lasting several years. In 1968 she had her first success as a solo artist, with “Feel Like Jumping”, which like her other early Studio One solo hits (including “Truly” and “Melody Life”), were written by Andy.

From 1970 to 1974, she worked together with Bob Andy as a duo (Bob and Marcia), on the Harry J Label.  She also recorded for Lloyd Charmers.

Between 1974 and 1981, she was a member of the I Threes, a superior trio of singers that supported Bob Marley & the Wailers.   Marcia continued to record as a solo artiste throughout the 1970s, working with producers such as Sonia Pottinger and Joseph Hoo Kim.

In December 1982, Marcia Griffiths released the song ‘Electric Boogie,’ which was written exclusively for her by Bunny Wailer. This version became a minor hit for Griffiths at that time, but the song was remixed in 1989, and it was this version that made the Electric Slide, a line dance, an international dance craze. It reached number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it her most successful single.

In October 2014, Griffiths was conferred with the Jamaican Order of Distinction (Commander class) and in October of 2023 she was conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ) Jamaica’s fourth-highest national honor..  See the Queen of Reggae live on November 3, 2024 at Hope Gardens, in the creative capital of Kingston Jamaica.

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