INTERVIEW: Shaggy On New Songs & Album In 2016

Music legend Shaggy has been creating hit songs for over 20 years. From 1995's No. 1 US Billboard Hot 100 single "Boombastic," to "It wasn't Me," to "Angel" (the latter two both released in 2000), the reggae fusion singer has undoubtedly made you sing/dance along to at least one of his songs in your lifetime -- at this point, it's kinda hard to pick a favorite. And the best part is ... he's not slowing down anytime soon. In fact, Shaggy has some new music on the way for fans this year, and he told us all about it recently during an exclusive interview while stopping by iHeartRadio HQ in New York City.

[Buy "I Got You" on iTunes]

Shaggy on Making New Songs And An Album

Over the last 23 years, Shaggy has released 12 studio albums, and it looks like number 13 could be on the way as soon as this year. He recently released (June 17) a new single via Sony Entertainment titled "I Got You," which features Jamaican recording artist Jovi Rockwell, but according to Shaggy, this is only the beginning. The Kingston, Jamaica-born singer says fans can look forward to "some great music" and that he's recorded almost 200 songs.

"I think the hardest part is going to be trying to pick what we're gonna go with. We've narrowed down the first two singles, but you're talking about us doing almost 200 songs. It's a lot of music. I had a lot of fun doing it, working with a lot of producer brothers Scott Storch you know, working with a lot of great dance hall producers Dave Kelly, Tony Philly, the classic guys. All those producers are making those records, very recurrent records that last for years and years, and we'd like to continue down that path because that's what we've done over the years. Records from 'Boombastic' to 'It Wasn't Me,' are still very relevant to this day, even though they were released so long ago. That's because our instrumentation and the type of music we make, the sound of the voice, it all works to make these records that they're a part of your life. You remember what it was you were doing at that time. You know where you were listening to 'Boombastic,' you're saying 'Oh I remember where I was at that time.' I get it so many times where people come up to me, so we still want to continue that tradition as far as the music is concerned."

But it doesn't just stop at a new album. After that, Shaggy is headed out on the road as he tells us, he makes albums so he can tour -- not the other way around.

Shaggy On Performing Live

"I make records for tours. Some people just do records to get famous. I like to perform. I like the performance side of it is why I make records. I like being on stage because what you get from an audience is an honest reaction. I can play a record for anybody and you see them they're all like 'Oh I love it.' But when an audience pays to come, and you know you're either really good or you suck. If you suck you get booed. If you're good, you get smiles and you can get into it. So that kind of honesty from the audience and what, what I strive on."

If you've ever seen Shaggy live in concert before, he never disappoints, and it sounds like this upcoming tour will be no exception. He tells us, "[Fans] should look out for some amazing tours that nobody else will have planned and look out for some great visuals at the same time. [I'm] releasing some some amazing visuals that we're putting together just to kind of reel everybody in, reintroduce a lot of people to Shaggy, and we're just really excited and looking forward to how everything will unfold."

Check out Shaggy's song "I Got You" with Jovi Rockwell below:

Photo: Brian Friedman for iHeartRadio