Shaggy’s ‘Strength Of A Woman’ Campaign Song For Barbados’ Mia Mottley

mia shaggy
Mia Mottley, Shaggy

Grammy Award-winning superstar Orville “Shaggy” Burrell has made it no secret that he’s a strong supporter of progressive women. His latest proclamation of this was during the introduction of his 2002 hit Strength of a Woman, which was used by the leader of the Barbados Labour Party Mia Motley in her campaign.

“This one goes out to Mia Mottley, yuh affi have the right woman beside yuh, not behind yuh,” Shaggy said as he introduced the song.

“The kinda woman we need, one weh can lead. Mia Mottley salute. Strong woman,” the Angel singer added, according to the STAR.

Mottley announced the January 19 general election nearly 18 months ahead of the end of her first five-year term in office, saying that the election was necessary to bring about unity in the country.

A total of 108 candidates, representing seven political parties and nine independents are contesting the poll that political observers say will be a straight fight between the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the Democratic Labour Party.

In a 2002 interview with CNN, Mr. Boombastic noted that Strength of a Woman has always resonated with fans.

Strength of a Woman is always a crowd favorite, despite the fact that no one has ever heard it really. But it always gets a great response. I think I’m very passionate about that because that was the very first song I wrote for the album. We just kind of dedicated the whole album to women and the uplifting of women. When I analyze my whole life and what has happened, women have played a very important part. I’m from a single-parent family. My mom is like my mom and dad. She’s my world. So (this album is) just me paying homage to ladies all around,” he said at the time.

The song appeared on Shaggy’s Lucky Day, his sixth studio album which peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified Gold in the United States.