Sting stung by furore over Jamaican accent

STING has defended singing in a “mock Jamaican accent” on a new reggae album made in collaboration with Kingston-born Shaggy.

The unlikely partnership has raised eyebrows among pop fans, with some taking exception to Sting’s reggae vocals as a case of “cultural appropriation”.

The star reacted by describing the phrase as “ugly”.

One social media user wrote: “Just listened to a truly awful song by #Shaggy and #Sting complete with mock Jamaican accents. Sting’s real name is Gordon and he’s from Wallsend in Northumberland. That’s some way from Kingston Town.”

Another online post asked: “Can we have a ritual burning of Sting albums because of his Jafakean accent?” Sting, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, told the BBC: “For me, reggae is something I respect and value, and take seriously.

“It’s something I’ve learnt from. I owe a great deal to the whole reggae bass community. My spiritual, musical mentor was Bob Marley – who I knew – and I really feel that I’m doing something that feels authentic to me.

“Working with Shaggy gives it that extra edge. He’s an authentic reggae dancehall superstar. I dabble and I dibble, but that was the common ground we had.”

Their collaboration is named 44/876, after the telephone codes respectively for the UK and Jamaica.

The Queen is soon to enjoy the duo’s music as they are scheduled to perform at her birthday party on Saturday at the Royal Albert Hall.