6 months ago
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It Wasn’t Me, a track from Shaggy’s 2000 album Hot Shot, which was never meant to be released as a single, has earned another musical accolade.
On Friday, Germany’s BVMI (Bundesverband MusikIndustrie), which translates to Federal Music Industry Association, revealed in its May report that It Wasn’t Me had sold more than 600,000 units, thus earning a platinum certification.
It Wasn’t Me, which features singer Ricardo “RikRok” Ducent, is the highest-charting single for Shaggy, topping charts in more than 10 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, France, Scotland, and in the Netherlands.
The Jamaica Observer caught up with Ducent last year shortly after It Wasn’t Me was certified 4x platinum in the United Kingdom.
“I’m incredibly grateful that this song we wrote over two decades ago still resonates with listeners. I had no idea this song that made us chuckle after every line we came up with would have the global impact it has had,” Ducent disclosed.
He shared what went into creating the It Wasn’t Me song.
“Shaun “Sting International” Pizzonia produced the track. Shaggy brought it to Jamaica with the idea of writing a song about It Wasn’t Me, one of the skits featured in Eddie Murphy’s Raw stand-up comedy special. We started with melody ideas for each part and then, over the course of two days, slowly filled in lyrics, while laughing after each line. We were sure women would’ve been upset with us for writing it, but to our surprise, women were the ones requesting it,” said Ducent.
He also spoke about working with Shaggy.
“It was great. He basically took me under his wing and taught me how to create music with a specific audience in mind. I basically became a sponge and learnt everything I could about performing, writing, and even doing interviews just by watching him in action,” he said.
Ducent, who says he never gets tired of performing the song, says the success of It Wasn’t Me changed his life significantly.
“I was finally able to silence the detractors who thought I was wasting my life on this music nonsense, and I also made my parents very proud. I was able to travel the world and see places it’s doubtful I would’ve seen otherwise. Over two decades later I still get recognised [and] can’t count the number of pictures I’ve taken and autographs I’ve signed for the nicest strangers you could ever meet… It’s allowed me to basically retire and focus entirely on raising my beautiful family. Eternally grateful for that,” Ducent shared.
It Wasn’t Me is the best-selling single of 2001 in the United Kingdom, where it has sold more than 2.4 million units to date.
As of August 2014 it ranked as the 49th best-selling single of the 21st century in France.
Among the people who were involved in the creation of It Wasn’t Me are singers Brian and Tony Gold (background singers), musician Nigel Staff (keyboard), and Shaun “Sting” Pizzonia (songwriting, production, recording and mixing).
It Wasn’t Me’s previous certifications include 3x platinum in Australia; gold in Austria, Italy and Switzerland; and platinum in Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden.
English (US) ·