New Shaggy Album On VP With Ninjaman, Sizzla, Akon +More

I have been positively giddy over the recent release of Shaggy's "Church Heathen" ever since he added Ninjaman to the riddim. The music is so powerful, so chilling. The message is pretty strong too - a condemnation of corruption in the church, from crooked preachers to the sinful Saturday night practices of followers who act like saints on Sunday morning. Shaggy has a voice and a style that commands attention, but add the Don Gorgon - who we see dressed all in white now, the reformed gunman turned preacher - and you get pure fire and brimstone. I LOVE the look on Ninjaman's face when he is chanting the Babylon system down at the end of the song's video! Have a look:Shaggy featuring Ninjaman "Church Heathen":Such a great example of the infectious beat of hardcore dancehall, complete with militant electronic snare drums..."Church Heathen" is just one of the smokin hits that will be on Shaggy's new album Intoxication and Ninjaman is just one superstar guest that appears on the album. Other guests include Akon, Sizzla (as Kalonji I believe), Collie Budz, Rik Rok, Tony Gold, Mischieve and Nasha.Intoxication Tracklist:"Can't Hold Me""Bonafide Girl" feat. Rik Rok and Tony Gold"Intoxication""Those Days" feat. Nasha"More Woman""Woman Scorn""Mad Mad World" feat. Sizzla and Collie Buddz"Out of Control" feat. Rayvon"Church Heathen""Wear Di Crown" feat. Mischieve"Criteria""Body a Shake""What's Love" feat. Akon"Holla at You""All About Love""Wrong Move""Reggae Vibes"Billboard reported the album today and quotes Shaggy describing his creative process on the album:

"While creating the album I wasn't signed to any particular label so I didn't have the usual interference into my creative process." Shaggy says. "That's what I was trying to get back to with 'Intoxication' -- both hardcore dancehall and reggae. It's a climatic musical roller coaster ride for all to enjoy."

Shaggy may have intended it for his own Big Yard Records, but VP has scooped it up as well and will release it on October 16th. I have to say, this is a very strong follow-up to Shaggy's 2005 record Clothes Drop. I picked that album up on double vinyl from a bargain bin because I really dig Shaggy's voice and I'm a sucker for the "Broader Than Broadway" song. Half the songs on Clothes Drop have a positive message, especially for teenagers trying to figure stuff out. But then the other half of the songs are as boring as anything by Sean Paul. The messages could easily be a play by play broadcast of a cheap porn flick. This album is completely different from what I have heard thus far. The music and the lyrics are both powerful and effective and prove that Shaggy just needed the room to record it when the pressure wasn't on. I can't wait for October 16th! And let's get Ninjaman out to California in the meantime. Can he be the next MOG party star?