"takin ' a walk" introduces you to The Home Base Nation Podcast

Summary

Podcast Summary: "takin' a walk" Introduces The Home Base Nation Podcast

Podcast Information:

• Title: takin' a walk
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Description: The "takin' a walk" MUSIC HISTORY ON FOOT podcast, hosted by Buzz Knight, explores music history through engaging stories and insights from musicians, bands, and guests.
• Episode: "takin ' a walk" introduces you to The Home Base Nation Podcast
• Release Date: May 30, 2025

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Introduction to Home Base Nation

In this special episode of "takin' a walk," Buzz Knight introduces listeners to the Home Base Nation podcast, a collaborative effort aimed at supporting veterans and their families. The segment begins with Buzz Knight highlighting the importance of sharing stories from other podcasters and charitable organizations, emphasizing the meaningful work done by Home Base.

Buzz Knight [02:59]:

"Here at the Taking a Walk podcast, we love to occasionally share the great work of other podcasters and the tremendous work of charities doing meaningful work locally, nationally, and in our global community."

Interview with Shaggy: Balancing Music and Military Service

The heart of the episode features an in-depth conversation with Shaggy (Orville Richard Burrell), a Grammy-winning dancehall and reggae artist who served as a Marine veteran. Shaggy shares his journey from military service to becoming a music icon, detailing how his time in the Marines influenced his music and his dedication to supporting veterans.

Shaggy [08:52]:

"Thank you, by the way, for that respect."

Shaggy recounts his deployment to the Persian Gulf with the 10th Marine Regiment and reflects on the discipline and camaraderie he developed during his service, which later translated into his music career.

Shaggy [12:43]:

"I think that's when you started, you know, that's when everything erases. Color erases, background erases. Everything is gone."

The Impact of Music on Veterans and Community

Shaggy discusses the therapeutic role of music for veterans, recalling his experiences performing for war-torn veterans and how music helps bridge cultural and emotional gaps. He emphasizes the power of music to unite people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and healing.

Shaggy [28:20]:

"Absolutely. It's really just on the standpoint what I'm trying to make within the military. I just think in America, we need to heal together and get together. The division needs to stop."

The Run to Home Base Event

Dr. Ron Hirshberg, host of the Home Base Nation podcast, provides details about the upcoming Run to Home Base event. This annual 9k/5k run or walk, sponsored by New Balance, takes place at the iconic Fenway Park in Boston. The event honors veterans and raises funds for Home Base's programs, which support veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. Ron Hirshberg [05:00]:

"Since 2009, more than 27,000 runners and walkers have been involved from 41 states, raising almost $22 million for the care of post-traumatic stress and trauma-based services."

Music as a Bridge Between Cultures

The conversation delves into how music serves as a universal language that can break down racial and cultural barriers. Shaggy shares anecdotes from his military days, illustrating how shared experiences in challenging environments foster deep bonds despite cultural differences.

Shaggy [17:02]:

"Racism is fear. When you interact with different cultures, you realize we're all fundamentally the same."

Reflections on Shaggy’s Career and Activism

Shaggy reflects on his musical evolution, from his early dancehall days aiming to attract a youthful audience to his more recent work addressing political and social issues. He acknowledges the influence of his collaboration with Sting, which encouraged him to use his platform for advocacy and unity.

Shaggy [26:50]:

"Sting taught me about how to use your platform and how to address certain things and to stand for something."

Supporting Veterans: A Call to Action

The episode concludes with a heartfelt appeal to listeners to support Home Base Nation and its mission to provide essential care to veterans and their families. Dr. Ron Hirshberg emphasizes the critical need for community support to overcome the stigma surrounding veterans seeking help.

Dr. Ron Hirshberg [20:22]:

"Less than 50% of veterans seek the care that they can truly benefit from. Your support can help break down these barriers."

Conclusion

This episode of "takin' a walk" effectively weaves together personal stories, advocacy, and the transformative power of music. By featuring Shaggy’s unique perspective as both a Marine veteran and a globally recognized artist, Buzz Knight and Dr. Ron Hirshberg shed light on the vital connection between music and veteran support initiatives. Listeners are left inspired to engage with and support Home Base Nation’s efforts to honor and aid those who have served.

Buzz Knight [34:21]:

"Thanks for listening to this special episode in the Taking a Walk feed here of Home Base Nation with Shaggy. And thanks for listening to the Taking a Walk podcast."

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Notable Quotes:

• Shaggy [08:52]: "Thank you, by the way, for that respect."
• Dr. Ron Hirshberg [05:00]: "Since 2009, more than 27,000 runners and walkers have been involved from 41 states, raising almost $22 million for the care of post-traumatic stress and trauma-based services."
• Shaggy [17:02]: "Racism is fear. When you interact with different cultures, you realize we're all fundamentally the same."
• Dr. Ron Hirshberg [20:22]: "Less than 50% of veterans seek the care that they can truly benefit from. Your support can help break down these barriers."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and the collaborative spirit between music and veteran support. It serves as an informative overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.

Transcript

[Shaggy]

This is an iHeart podcast. We're leaving today and entering a world of Cinderella, Castle sightseeing, Tron Light cycling, Jungle Cruise, Bunning, Pirate swashbuckling, Everest climbing, Dapper Denning, Danning, Dunning, Soarin soaring fireworks, show of I'm not crying, you're crying. World of Favorites for whatever you love, infinite worlds await at the most mag place on Earth Walt Disney World Resort.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and safeway now through June 24th. Score hot summer savings and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags on items like Pringles, Ritz crackers and chips, sliced soda, Wonder Buns and bread and Natural Choice lunch meat. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pickup or delivery subject to availability restrictions. Apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Buzz Knight]

Details this episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I use my Chase Sapphire card, I get three times points on travel and dining and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets me into the Sapphire Lounge by the Club at select airports nationwide. No matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more with Chase sapphire [e-mail] Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

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[Unknown]

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[Buzz Knight]

Walk I'm Buzz Knight and here at the Taking a Walk podcast we love to occasionally share the great of other podcasters from time to time. And we also love to share the tremendous work of charities doing meaningful work locally, nationally and in our global community. Check out this episode of the Home Base Nation podcast from our friends at Home Base here in Boston. Led by General Jack Hammond, who's been a previous guest on taking a walk, Dr. Ron Hirshberg and their tremendous team, Home Base does amazing work for veterans and their families and we urge you to support them. This episode is with Marine veteran dancehall and reggae artist Orville Burrell, otherwise known as Shaggy.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Hey everybody, this is Ron Hirshberg, your host of Home Base Nation. Now, I know it's February, but around Home Base we're thinking about July because this is the 11th annual run to home base. This is a 9k or 5k run or walk and is sponsored by New Balance. And this is our opportunity right in the iconic Fenway park to honor our veterans and their military families. Now, there's two pretty cool things about this run in my mind. One, all of the funds go to the care that is provided at Home Base, which is a Red Sox foundation and Massachusetts General program. And since 2009, more than 27,000 runners and walkers have been involved from 41 states. And, and we've been able to raise almost $22 million for the care for post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury and trauma based services. Now, the second thing I want to mention about this race is that it'll start right at Fenway park and the runners and walkers will go through the streets of Boston and wind up coming through the back of the outfield, right near the Green Monster, which is up at left field. And the participants will come down the third baseline and, and actually finish right at home plate.

[Unknown]

And I can tell you from personal.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Experience, that feels great. And I bet that's the only time most of us are going to be stepping on home plate. The 11th annual run actually is on July 11th at Fenway park and the registration is open now. Now for all the civilians supporting this event. Remember, the early bird fundraising minimum is $625 and that goes until February 12th and then it jumps to $850 after February 12th. So keep that in mind. Go to runtohomebase.org and sign up. Okay, thanks for listening. This is a Great annual event, and we hope to see you there at Fenway Park.

[Buzz Knight]

This is home base Nation.

[Shaggy]

There was a CEO one time that says that. This creamer says, I. I don't see color. Everybody I see here is green. You know what I'm saying? I was like, yeah. And that's what you gotta get that together. And I think we could do it through music. And I try to unite it and get it through music as much as we can.

[Unknown]

I'm missing my love, love.

[Shaggy]

Girl and.

[Unknown]

I can't wait to see her Your love made me a believer and I won't fight these feelings anymore.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Hello, everybody. And more appropriately, Wagwan. That's the proper warm Jamaican greeting for today. And thank you for tuning in. This is Dr. Ron Hirshberg. And that teaser of a tune you just heard is called that Love, a 2016 infectious song written and performed by our guest today, Grammy winner and Marine veteran, Shaggy. It's worth visiting the music video for that song because it paints a vivid picture of our armed forces missing their loved ones while they're overseas. It does the job in giving the nod to all of our servicemen and women who keep the love and connection alive while fighting for our country. Shaggy was born Orville Richard Burrell in Jamaica. And after moving to New York at age 18, he would soon enlist in the Marines. Two years into service, he deployed with the 10th Marine Regiment to the Persian Gulf. And he looks back at that time in his life as one of the building blocks of discipline that helped launch him into superstardom, into the world of dancehall and reggae music. Shaggy is a seven time nominated and two time Grammy winner, including the 2019 collaborative album 44876 with Sting in studio and on tour, Sting and Shaggy became bonded brothers, immigrants of different forms, not unlike military squad mates, except their continued mission is unity through song that we can all experience just by listening to the album or visiting them at their office on stage together. For Shaggy, music has been a vehicle to bring different kinds of people to the same experience. But after meeting him, it's not just the music that does this. It's the spirit and grit that undoubtedly were shaped by Marine discipline and deployment. So before we begin the conversation, I'll leave you with this familiar motto, Semper fi, or in English, always loyal. This sums up a true motto for our guest as a Marine who served overseas and as a faithful artist who continues to serve all his fans across the globe. Thanks for joining us for this conversation and we'll see you on the other end.

[Unknown]

I've known that you were a Marine, are a Marine.

[Shaggy]

Thank you by the way, for that respect.

[Unknown]

And this podcast is about creation, meaning people that create things that are going to directly or indirectly help our troops and help the families. Yeah, your passion is music. You know, I've heard some of the songs that you've, you've created that do reflect on giving back to our military. That love in particular.

[Shaggy]

That love. Yeah, yeah. There's also, there was also another song that we did on, on a previous album, I think, Summer in Kingston that I literally spoke about just how recruitment and, and how it is for a kid coming out of the ghetto and what's their only choice at times. Yeah, I don't remember if you meant. Was it Friday night 911 that we watched where, you know, I think one of the recruiters was trying to recruit somebody who was in, in the hood. And the kid was like, yeah, I must I rap and say, well yeah, you're a rapper. Well, Shaggy, he rapping. He was in minute. Which really dawned on me because I was never a model Marine in the Marines. I came out of, you know, pfc. One of them were private because I was AWOL half the time because I used to drive to New York, you know, back and forth just to do music. But in that song, it really talks about just the whole energy, you know, going into the mirror and somehow while being in the military, feeling like you're a number, you know, I mean that family feeling wasn't there at that time. And I think brotherhood really forms when you're in crisis. Because when I was in the first Gulf War, I ended up being in a platoon that got really closer, you know, that a battery that was, that was really tight knit because of the situations that we were in. That's when you started, you know, that's when everything erases. Color erases, you know, background erases. Everything is gone. Because you're now in a fighting hole garden of 50 cal in the middle of nowhere with a guy that has nothing in common with you culturally.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Shaggy]

You know, you might be of different races, but now you're gonna have to watch each other's back. Yeah, I think what needs to, you know, a lot of that. It shouldn't take acts of crisis or in situation like that to get that camaraderie that should get from before going in. You know what I mean? And I remember being in the military, there's divisions, you know, there's, there's cliques and there's, you know, all of that.

[Unknown]

Within each branch Whether you're overseas, domestic.

[Shaggy]

It doesn't even have to go to a battalion. It could just be just in your battery, just in your. Just in your squad, just in your. You know, nobody's clicking to get. Nobody's going. They're all clicking up because of their. Whether the ethnic backgrounds or, you know, cultural background or whatever it is. And I think those are some of the things that needs, you know, to be addressed and pushed forward. You know, when I came out, I ended up doing USO a lot. A couple of USO shows with Wayne Newton, who at the time was the head of it. And we ended up going to Germany, which was a really eerie concert that I had there because these. A lot of the veterans that were there were war torn guys and you know, they were partying and singing to every song, but some of them have limbs. You know, that becomes a little tough because I think it was a. It's a hospital in Germany that we went military. Yeah, I think it was that.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Yeah.

[Shaggy]

And we went there and played. I remember going to Bosnia with me and Jessica Simpson and a whole. Who slew of artists at the time.

[Unknown]

And that was pre 9 11.

[Shaggy]

Yes.

[Unknown]

I swiped to the ceiling Suddenly I awake from daydreaming by my self Overwhelmed by the stealing Trapped in healing Search for spiritual healing yo now when they look from when they come from no money, no future, no function Everywhere that I look Another last one with a mask on Every youth is a marksman yo I give a kiss to my girlfriend Now I got to do right by this emblem Cause I heard that they need a few good men Try your tears friend I be back just don't know when yo, if you.

That makes me think about the concept of art and how in music and the vibes of music culture can bring people together in positivity. I mean, tell me about that experience with you as a. As not only a writer, but a performer.

[Shaggy]

Well, I think you go through phases of it, you know. When I just started doing music out of Flatbush, I really got into music for chicks. It was, you know, that was what I spit rhymes. I get chicks. You know what I mean? I wasn't even thinking about money at the time. I just was like, all right, cool. You know, and I did local dancehall records in wooden Flatbush and.

[Unknown]

Really? In Brooklyn?

[Shaggy]

Yeah, in Brooklyn, Yeah. And then. And then after when you started doing, you know, Mr. Bombastic and Mr. And that girl and wasn't Me and it became this a different vibe because now I was one of the first that's doing it on that scale, on that level. So now I felt like I had an opportunity to move my genre. I found myself in that position at the time to move the genre into certain levels that it never had before, which was dancehall, you know, and reggae.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Right.

[Shaggy]

And then after that it opened the door for people, you know. After that we had the Sean Paul's and all of these other acts that were huge, the Waney ones that became huge. And dancehall, as in an art form became profitable to where record companies were starting to look at it and all of that. So that was my. Now that I've gone through all of.

[Unknown]

That and I'm getting older too.

[Shaggy]

And I'm older. Yeah. And I'm older. Things. Things that didn't bother you when you were younger is starting to bother you now, you know, like whatever is on the news bothers you now. Back then I didn't care, you know. And now it's a different time. Back then it was easily ignored. Now you can't ignore it. It's on your phone.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Shaggy]

You know, back then it wasn't right.

[Unknown]

And you don't even have to look for it.

[Shaggy]

Yeah. Now it's reaching you. And then so you get into the political system of it and everything matters and your elected official matters and you start to realize a lot of things socially that you got to get involved in. And so that sets the tone of what is now my recent Wagwan album, which really started from the 44876 album with Sting and I, when we started, you know, doing certain songs of a political nature, which was really led by Sting. And I just kind of got into it after a while. And I've always said it. Sting. I said Sting. You could say something certain things and get away with it. I can't. You know what I'm saying? We're two different shades here, bro. You know what I'm saying?

[Unknown]

And you've said a lot, though.

[Shaggy]

But I've said a lot and I did it following his lead.

[Unknown]

Well, tell me about dreaming in usa because I think of two immigrants. How did that feel to create something like that? That did set the stage and bring to light the beauty that can come from people that become Americans.

[Shaggy]

You just gotta look at the history, my brother. You know, history is pretty much saying it. You know, we're, you know, none of us are pure. I'm a hybrid, guy. I'm a hybrid in music, I'm a hybrid in. In life, I'm a hybrid in race, I'm a hybrid. I like Mixtures. I like going places and feeling people's culture out. And, you know, there's an old saying that racism is. It's. It's taught. You're not born that way. You know what I'm saying? And a lot of it, when you think about racism, it's fear.

[Unknown]

You seek a visa. You're dreaming of the usa. It's never easy. You're looking for another way. God bless America. Dreaming of the usa, Are we hysterical? Dreaming of the United States.

[Shaggy]

Dreaming of. It's fear of not knowing. You know what I'm saying? It's like I always give a story that I had in the military in the fighting hole when I was with this guy that's from Alabama, wherever the hell he was at that time. And he did this was the first time he had ever seen a black man. Is when he came to the military in Alabama. Yeah.

[Unknown]

Or associated with it.

[Shaggy]

Yeah. And his thing is, like, I saw it on tv. But he learned a lot from me being a black man in the fighting hole with him guarding the fifth cow and me culturally as a. As a Caribbean person.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Shaggy]

And as a black man. And then I learned a lot about him. I learned about his family and his culture. I never knew there was such a thing called tipping a cow. I was blown away. You what? Yeah.

[Unknown]

I'm saying, how come that never made it into a song? Yeah.

[Shaggy]

You know, but we just sat there and culturally figured it out and ended up liking each other. But with a song like Dreaming. At the time, it was an issue that was going on when Sting and I were in studio and we just needed to say it. And all of that song was actually apart from, I think, my dancehall part that I did it. In the end. Most of it was written by Sting and he brought it in that day. And I was reading the lyrics and. And he's like, I want you to sing this. This part. And he played it. And I was like, wow. And I started going through the lyrics. I was just really like, yo, this is dope. I don't think I've ever done anything like this. I've never really ventured into because I've never touched on the political side because I was always scared to be. Because I've always. I'm an immigrant and I'm. I'm in a minority music.

[Unknown]

Big upon people still living and working right here inside of America get up every morning Working two jobs to make it here in our Americ I'm a military man who carry arms and fighting different I await the day when we were all in love in our America.

[Shaggy]

Say we talking about discrimination. You say you're Jewish. You know, the Jews have been discriminated for years, much like the black, much like anywhere else. Part of that discrimination was what fear of not knowing what your culture is. Now, the more I go to interact with. With Jewish people and.

[Unknown]

And because there's a couple in the.

[Shaggy]

Business and go to bar. Bar, it's not. I don't. I rarely have Jewish music friends. I just have friends that are just good friends.

[Unknown]

Have you been to some bar mitzvahs?

[Shaggy]

Yeah, I've played a couple and I've.

[Unknown]

Been to a couple I would love to see. My son just had a bar mitzvah last year. Yeah, you probably. Your rates were a little higher than the dj.

[Shaggy]

Well, you know, but we, we went in. I used to live in Brooklyn, you know, I've been Eastern Parkway, you know, where you have the sidic Jews. Half Jewish. Yeah. It's the whole. So I've been around the whole culture of it, and the more you get into it, the more you realize that, you know, when people look at this, oh, that is, you know, they're weird, or this is weird, or that is weird, or this is this, and this is that as you used to go, going, going up, it's all that propaganda that builds that fear to you.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Yeah.

[Shaggy]

And in the world, you start going in and realizes these people are no different from what the hell I do, you know, because there's so many people looking at me as Jamaican and says, oh, man, them Jamaican boys, man, I don't understand them. You know, they wear so many colors. They this, they what? They probably high right now. All.

[Unknown]

All the stigmas, all the stereotypes.

[Shaggy]

The stereotypes and stigmas that come with it.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Stay tuned, friends. Shaggy will be back in less than two minutes after this message. We started planning this show in January 2019, and it would not be possible without the leadership and support from Brigadier General Jack Hammond, Chief Operating Officer Michael Allard, and the Media Lab Chairman Peter Smyth. And on the front lines with me, there are three key partners that have made this project possible. Cassandra Fallone, Charlotte Luckey, and Steve Monaco. Like all new shows, we set our targets on growth and recognition while always putting our energy into great content, conversations, and stories that we can share with you. But we do have a special mission that is the driving force behind Home Base Nation, and I want to talk.

[Unknown]

To you about that.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

That's simply getting the care to the veterans and families that need it. Less than 50% of veterans seek the care that they can truly benefit from. Stigma is everywhere. And in the case of the veteran, stigma can be the single barrier to improving quality of life, keeping families together, and sometimes even preventing suicide. And because our two week intensive clinical program or the ICP and other programs are provided at no cost to veterans families, Home Base can continue to thrive with your support. So Please check out homebase.org homebasenation and you can see what we're up to. And there's always new events and opportunities going on. Any amount of donation helps. And remember, every year we host the run to Home Base in Boston in July and you can cross home plate at Fenway park at the finish line. If you know somebody that would like this show, let them know. And if not already, we'd love for you to subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and or any other place you get shows. This park really helps us grow so that we can reach more civilian and military folks like you, a grateful nation. Okay, thanks for listening to this message. And now, as promised, let's get back to more music and military talk with Shaggy.

[Shaggy]

My music is dance all. At the time, I barely got played on radio. And just the fact that I got played on radio, I was the guy that was trying to be as politically correct as possible. I was not the guy that was trying to create any kind of stuff. I just wanted to slide through because none of nobody else before me was getting through right in dancehall. But I was old, I was younger then and you know, and it was probably very foolish because now thinking back at it in hindsight, because I was at the top of my game and I was this huge figure I probably should have. That's the time for you to actually say something and comment on it and get on it because then that. That sparks conversations.

[Unknown]

Well, I think it's interesting too because it's. You know, but it was fear. We're all about the same age and it's. It's relative. I mean, you're young in a sense. I guess what I'm going with it is that this dreaming when you recorded that, it sounds like a light bulb went off or. But it was something important.

[Shaggy]

It was important.

[Unknown]

Something. I don't know if you feel like you're gonna run with that more.

[Shaggy]

But listen, of course we're gonna probably do most. And I and this album that had more of a. More social than even political.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

It's more personal.

[Shaggy]

More personal. But the point I'm trying to make is why I feel a little bit sad about that or regretful for the lack of a better word is when you're at your young, when you're young, at your prime, the future of the country is not old guys. Whether it be white, black, whatever. It's not old. It's young people.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Shaggy]

And when these young people find themselves in the position of power like I was when I had Hotshot and I was on top of the world, use it. You know, I now, me doing it at this age, after things have, you know, calmed down, it's like it's easy for these kids to hear you rant about, you know, immigration and all this. I say, yeah, that's just the old miserable white black guy. Or just the old. Yeah, miserable old guy. You know, I'm saying it's easy for kids to just look at. Yeah, he's just old. That's why he's bitching about.

[Unknown]

That's the emoji.

[Shaggy]

Because really, when you were younger and you hear your mom bitch about Chap, you know, she's just old. You know, people, you don't want to get to that point, you know, I mean, where you've lost this cool, you know, I mean, I saw Jay Z put a record out. Was it 4? 4. Forgot what the name of the album was. And I listened in it. There was so much knowledge in it. And most of the kids I knew that were young kids, there was like, ah, ain't nobody want to hear that shit. He's as old. But what he was saying was so knowledgeable to their future going back, but they were just too young to get it.

[Unknown]

Yeah, it's amazing to hear this.

[Shaggy]

They'd rather be in, in the club listening to Migos talk about jewelry and chicks and ass and, you know, I mean, and it's, it's, you know, and what is good now that you have people like J. Cole and people like.

[Unknown]

Kendrick who are young people that are preaching different messages.

[Shaggy]

Messages. And I just kind of wished at the time that I, I, if anything I, I could have done that because I find myself do it so well. But I was in a position that I didn't have a movement. You see, the good thing about J. Cole and Kendrick is that they're in a genre that is a movement at this time. Yeah, rap is now the pop music. It's now mainstream music. You know, at the time when I was doing I'm dance all and it's underground, and I'm the only guy, the Z, the one and only guy that's getting on radio.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Right.

[Shaggy]

So the pressure was on at that point. And then I had management at the time that really didn't know what the hell to make of it.

[Unknown]

Because they want hits.

[Shaggy]

Well, but they didn't know. They didn't know how to. You know, they got beat up by record company peoples and lawyers and all that because they just weren't experienced. You know, there were young guys that was in the street with me that sold weed, you know, like, ain't like they knew what the hell was.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Shaggy]

You know, they. You know, they got a contract in, you know, what was on that damn thing, you know, I mean.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Right.

[Shaggy]

So we were just. It was time in and where we were and all of that. But with a record like that, with Sting. That's why I say Sting came into my life at a time to teach me so many different things.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Shaggy]

And he taught me about how to use your platform and how to, you know, address certain things and. And to stand for something, or if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything, you know, and really kind of opened. Opened my eyes to a lot of things in the music industry and just socially and just about humanity and people and the earth and all of that, you know, I mean, he's big on the rainforest. He's big on so many things that we share together.

[Unknown]

It's not surprising in what we've read about him. But it's also.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

It's from the heart.

[Unknown]

And it. It's even more, I guess, poignant to hear it from a friend and someone that's worked with him together because. And that's part of circling back to why we really wanted to talk with you about.

[Shaggy]

Well, I think if we didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Shaggy]

I don't think the camaraderie would go forward because he's that kind of guy.

[Unknown]

And you're touring together, too. I imagine you're not just in the studio.

[Shaggy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

So many conversations go up when you mention about giving back. One thing that we're really proud about when we talk about on this show is that awareness and the power that someone like you has and the voice. You know, you may get millions of streams on Spotify and you're out there obviously on the radio waves, there's a potential use for that as well.

[Shaggy]

Absolutely. Absolutely.

[Unknown]

And as we love the fact that we gave back to military by, you know, by writing those songs and shouting out to the military, I think is something that we need and.

[Shaggy]

Absolutely. It's really just on the standpoint what I'm Trying to make within the military. I just think in America in itself, we need to get to that point where we start. As you said, when opening is a healing process and healing together. It's not just the guys in the military that's been traumatized with war that needs healing. America needs healing. And I mean, we need to heal together and get together. And the division needs to stop. We are all just one people. We might have different backgrounds and culture, but it's not nothing wrong with learning that person's culture and being apart and dining and sitting in people's tables.

[Unknown]

And you don't have to be in a foxhole for that.

[Shaggy]

No, you shouldn't have to be.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Well, on that note, and I know.

[Unknown]

You'Re gonna, you know, you got a busy night ahead. The. How does music help with that?

[Shaggy]

I think it helps in a big way. Because if you notice now in the music business, remember, rock music used to be the major, major art form, the major music genre. Now you look at a rock, a rock star, and you look a rock star. They're the same people. Remember rockers used to have tattoos and really wild hair and dress really colorful and crazy. And we were like, oh, those guys must be on drugs, right? To dress like that. Well, now you look at these rappers now. Yeah, look at all these rappers. They look exactly like those rock rocks. So what you're seeing now, you're seeing little white kids want to be black and little black kids want to be white. And it is flip, you know, I mean, you're seeing that happen now. You're seeing little white kids loving hip hop music. And then you're gonna see a little black. A bunch of black kids start to figure out what the white kids are about. And it's more interaction that's going on.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Even countries.

[Shaggy]

Exactly. Crossing that country, crossing into.

[Unknown]

Look at Sting, right.

[Shaggy]

Afrobeat. So the point I'm trying to make, that's how music is uniting, because it's uniting through culture. And I like. And what I would love to see is a lot more interaction with military branches and culture. You know, if there's throwing huge festivals in aid of the military with a lot of these acts, I don't know an act that wouldn't go in and get involved in that, you know, and kind of mix that generation so that that division that you're seeing doesn't infiltrate within the military itself. You know what I'm saying?

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

It doesn't matter if you're blue or red, black or white.

[Shaggy]

Yeah. There was a CEO one time that says, that, as Krita said, I. I don't see color. Everybody I see here is green. You know what I'm saying? I was like, yeah. And that's what you gotta. It's a brotherhood.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Shaggy]

You know, you gotta. You gotta get that together. And I think we could do it through music. And I try to unite it and get it through music as much as we can.

[Unknown]

Yeah. Well, cheers to that. And, you know, on that note, we got a little gift for you. This is home base. Mgh. Red Sox.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

I don't.

[Unknown]

You know, we're not preaching the Red Sox here. I don't know where. Where your loyalty is.

[Shaggy]

Put a Red Sox hat on a. On a Yankee guy. Come on, man. Oh, you know what it is? It's all about unity. It is, you know, I mean, so they can be friendly competition, my brother.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

Yeah.

[Shaggy]

So I'm. I'm. I'm definitely with it.

[Unknown]

All right.

[Shaggy]

Hey, well, thank you, man. Thanks for the interview in the chat.

[Unknown]

No, I really appreciate it.

Oh, and I can't wait to see her. Love made me a believer and I won't bite these feelings anymore I can't get enough of you.

[Dr. Ron Hirshberg]

We'd like to thank Shaggy for joining the Home Base Nation family and for your service as a US Marine and the unity that you bring through music. As you know, brotherhood and connection have been strong themes for this show and a fundamental basis for servicemen and women who recover together right at home base. In November 2019, we held our annual Veterans Day dinner at the JFK Library and Museum here in Boston. It was a night to honor veterans and show the camaraderie of service members and their families. Michael Allard and Brigadier General Jack Hammond welcomed Shaggy to the stage to recognize him for his service as a Marine in the 10th Regiment in the Gulf War and for some live conversation. So I pulled up a chair and had the honor to talk in front of a live audience together. And it's not every day that you get introduced with a walkout song. Boombastic booming over the PA So set your calendars for next week or subscribe and join us for a bonus episode live at the JFK Library and Museum. In the meantime, to get to know Shaggy a little more, see what he's up to in 2020, or check out his new solo album, Wagwan. Visit shaggyonline.com Special thanks to Tracy Bufford at Team Shaggy and Sting for all your collaboration and support. And thanks to Joe Wallace for your never ending photographic eye for our guests. And to Chuck Clow at Above the Basement Podcast for your on location sound and support on behalf of all of us at home base, I'm Dr. Ron Hirschberg. Thank you for listening.

[Unknown]

Bus the Wagwan. Did I get it? Yeah.

[Shaggy]

Wagwan.

[Unknown]

Wagwan.

[Shaggy]

Yeah.

[Buzz Knight]

Thanks for listening to this special episode in the Taking a Walk feed here of Home Base Nation with Shaggy. And thanks for listening to the Taking a Walk podcast.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Buzz Knight]

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[Shaggy]

This is an iHeart podcast.