Despite the yearly controversy in local music circles about the outcome of the Grammy for Best Reggae Album, international recording artiste Shaggy says the award is a huge achievement.

In an interview with Observer Online, Shaggy shared his thoughts about the Grammy.

“The Grammy is a huge platform and anybody weh tell yuh say dem nuh care bout Grammy, a lie dem a tell. It’s great to be recognised by the highest level of your peers. It is a fantastic feeling,” said Shaggy.

The two-time Grammy winner continued, “I got Boombastic (won) in 1996 and I had like a ton of nominations (after) till mi say, mi nuh business bout Grammy, it nuh mean nuttin. Mek mi tell yuh suppen, when mi win it the other day (2019) with Sting, a di sweetest feeling. We want it! The problem is, a lot of us make noise when the outcome happens and realise that there is a process, and we don’t want to get involved with the process. But then we argue about the outcome. You have to be a registered voter and you have to be a part of it, to get the result that you want as a voter. I think everybody should still strive for it.”

Meanwhile, Shaggy is promoting his new full-length studio album Lottery, due for release on May 15 in partnership with VP Records and his Ranch Entertainment.

The project features collaborations with Anthony Hamilton, Jeremih and Robin Thicke among others.

Lottery takes its title from the mindset that has propelled him from Kingston, Jamaica to global superstardom. Throughout his illustrious career, Shaggy has taken creative and professional risks—often when the odds suggested otherwise—resulting not just in a hit song, but a sustained run of international success spanning more than 40 million albums sold, multiple Grammy awards, and a catalogue that continues to resonate across generations.

The album’s lead single, Looking Lovely featuring Robin Thicke was released Friday. The track blends Shaggy’s unmistakable Caribbean cadence with Thicke’s smooth R&B sensibility, delivering an infectious, feel-good anthem that reflects the album’s spirit of confidence and celebration.

Largely self-produced alongside long-time collaborator Shane Hoosong, Lottery builds on the sonic blueprint that Shaggy, managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, has refined throughout his career.

Said Shaggy, “Throughout my whole life, I have betted on myself. That’s really the inspiration behind the title of the album. I haven’t put out a studio full-length Shaggy album in about eight years. I partnered with VP Records on this. We worked together on some of my earlier hits like Oh Carolina and Big Up, which they distributed, so we have a relationship.”

Shaggy is currently riding the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay Top 40 chart at #31 with Boom Body, featuring Akon and Aidonia. The track, which is also featured on Lottery, is Shaggy’s second Billboard charting single over the past year.  Til A Mawnin featuring Sting made it to the chart last summer.