Shaggy Live At The Canadian National Exhibition In Toronto

I approached the CNE Bandshell in Toronto with a hint of skepticism about what Shaggy might deliver, the reggae icon whose rise in the late ’90s and early 2000s was powered by tunes like "Angel" and the immortal hit “It Wasn’t Me”. Any hesitation dissolved almost instantly once his buoyant, 80‑minute performance kicked into gear, radiating infectious charm and a breezy, good‑natured spirit that washed over the crowd. With his hype-man Rayvon amplifying the momentum, Shaggy burst onto the stage with“Boombastic” his unmistakable vocals riding atop a sly infusion of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” courtesy of the live band. The track morphed into a playful, swaggering celebration, punctuated by Shaggy’s first round of animated hip‑swivels and a cheeky moment where he used his pants to prop up the microphone. Between the suggestive choreography and the warm, island‑soaked rhythms, he glided effortlessly into newer favourites like “Mood” reminding everyone that he’s a seasoned entertainer who’s spent decades commanding audiences across continents.To close out the evening, Shaggy launched into his beloved, “It Wasn’t Me” prompting Toronto to sing along under the soft August sky. The performance whisked the crowd straight back to the Y2K era, complete with Shaggy tossing out a Bill Clinton quip for good measure. The only thing missing was a playful Pokémon nod of nostalgia.

The 2026 edition of the CNE in Toronto is going on until Labour day so check online to see what concerts are next. For some exclusive visuals of Shaggy's performance at the Ex, look no further then our photo gallery just below! Make sure to keep up with Shaggy on Instagram @DiRealShaggy.