Talking Shop: Shaggy

The star's real name is Orville Richard Burrell

You may not realise it, but Shaggy is one of the most successful reggae artists of all time.

Thanks to hits like Mr Boombastic and It Wasn't Me, the Jamaican-born musician has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide.

As he releases his first greatest hits collection, the star discusses his 15 years of fame, and whether he really is the ladies' man his lyrics suggest.

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Hello, Shaggy. You're in the UK for the Notting Hill Carnival - it's a shame you didn't bring the Jamaican weather with you.

No, you're right. It's not sun and fun. But we've made the best of it. We've had a sun dance, played happy music and imagined that it's dope.

What does a Shaggy sun dance look like?

Hopefully it's with a chick and you're naked.

That handily brings me to my most important question of all time: Is the "Mr lover lover" reputation a help or a hindrance?

Oh, it certainly has helped! Do you know how many women line up to see if it's all true?

So boasting about your sexual prowess works?

Oh yes, women look at me and say: "I like when you put that voice on, it makes me feel like I'm sleeping with two men. I've gotta have both of you tonight."

Actually, where did that voice come from?

From the kahunas. When you grab them very hard.

That's quite enough filth, thank you. How does it feel to have a greatest hits album?

It's unbelievable. I was pegged as a one-hit wonder in 1993. Then, in 1995, I was pegged a two-hit wonder. Now I've got a greatest hits album full of one-hit wonders!

The singer's trademark is his deep, throaty growl

When you released Oh Carolina in 1993, there were a lot of other reggae acts around. Why have you lasted when they didn't?

I'm a really hard-working person and I don't follow a trend.

After Oh Carolina, Apache Indian came out with a song called Boom Shack-A-Lak, which was kind of a spin-off of my record. Then Chaka Demus and Pliers came with Tease Me, which had the same sort of feel.

My record company wanted me to capitalise on that sound, too. But I just refused. I didn't want to repeat myself, and I ended up with Boombastic, which is something totally different. And I keep doing that.

Do you get criticism from other reggae artists for being too commercial?

Exactly, and that's why after Angel and It Wasn't Me, I put out some 7"s for the core market.

It is good to go back to your roots? Does that refresh you as an artist?

It proves the naysayers wrong. They're the fuel to my fire. If some reporter or critic tells me I can't do something, I like to silence them.

How do you stop the songs being bitter and nasty if your inspiration is revenge?

Oh, don't worry, I write them. I just don't put 'em out.

So there's a back catalogue of bad tempered Shaggy records?

Oh, trust me, I have the diss record, the snappiness, the whole nine yards. I write and record them in the midst of rage, but when it comes to putting them out I'm in a better place - so I don't even consider releasing them.

Can you give me a flavour of one of those tracks?

Oh, I don't know if I can even remember them right now.

There must be something that still rankles, that still sticks in your mind.

I remember in 1995, when Boombastic came out, one journalist wrote: "Boombastic is driving me ballistic. This record isn't even worth the vinyl it's been printed on".

But after it ended up being a smash hit, the same reporter came in to interview me and he said "I remember the very first time I heard this, it was just incredible" and I just sat there and I looked at him like: "Are you kidding me right now?"

Because I knew who the person was. I have a list of them. I put him on the Shaggy blacklist.

The star has had four UK number one singles

You toured with James Brown last year. How was that?

The show was with Cyndi Lauper, James Brown, the Pointer Sisters and Joe Cocker. We did this huge concert series with a full orchestra. And James Brown would bring out a chair every night when I was on and sit down and watch me.

And I thought: "What the hell did I do to this guy? Why is he watching me like a hawk every night?"

The one evening he kicked my door in and sat down and gave me a scalding [puts on an eerily accurate James Brown drawl] "I need to talk to you. I seen 'em come and I seen 'em go, but I tell you somethin' - and this is the truth - I watch you out there. You're good".

And he just gave me a lot of positive words and really gave his stamp of approval and I was just very, very blessed.

It must have come as a shock when he passed away over Christmas.

Yes, it was a real shocker. What it did was it made me go back to the memories I had of him. We did a jam session in the lobby of the hotel together - those moments are just moments that I will never forget.

But, you know, the guy died doing what he liked and that's the best you can ask for. And if I go out like that I won't be mad.

Where is your favourite place to play live?

It varies, but it's mainly the rural countries - the ones that aren't visited that often by artists. I went to Tonga, where they barely ever see concerts, it was like the whole damn island came out. Those are always fun.

And the worst?

I went to the Republic of Congo. That was an experience I don't really want to relive again. It's a rough place but they were very enthusiastic people.

Before you were famous, you fought with the US Marine Corps in the first Gulf War. Have you been out to visit the troops this time round?

I've been to Bosnia, and we did a huge concert at a US base in Germany. Most of these guys were coming back from Iraq and they didn't have limbs and it kind of dawned on you at that point. I just hope these guys go home. It's been a long haul.

Shaggy was talking to BBC News Entertainment reporter Mark Savage. His album, The Boombastic Collection, is out now on Universal / Island Records.