Rik Rok plans musical comeback
Singer Ricardo “Rik Rok” Ducent, who became famous for the collaborative hit single It Wasn’t Me with Shaggy, is planning on making a comeback to the musical landscape.
Ducent, who now resides in the Caribbean, shared details about the possibility of new music in an interview with the Jamaica Observer last week.
“I stopped doing music for a long time, but Robert Livingston [music executive and producer] and I have kept in touch over the years and, thanks to some prodding by my kids, I’m now writing and recording again. I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on,” said Ducent.
It Wasn’t Me, which was released 23 years ago, was last Friday certified 4x platinum in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streaming equivalent exceeding 2.4 million units.
Ducent was shell-shocked when he heard of the certification.
“I’m incredibly grateful that this song we wrote over two decades ago still resonates with listeners. I had no idea this song that made us chuckle after every line we came up with, would have the global impact it has had,” Ducent disclosed.
He shared what went into creating the It Wasn’t Me song.
“Shaun ‘Sting International’ Pizzonia produced the track. Shaggy brought it to Jamaica with the idea of writing a song about It Wasn’t Me, one of the skits featured in Eddie Murphy’s Raw stand-up comedy special. We started with melody ideas for each part and then, over the course of two days, slowly filled in lyrics, while laughing after each line. We were sure women would’ve been upset with us for writing it, but to our surprise, women were the ones requesting it,” said Ducent.
He also described working with Shaggy.
“It was great. He basically took me under his wing and taught me how to create music with a specific audience in mind. I basically became a sponge and learnt everything I could about performing, writing, and even doing interviews just by watching him in action.”
Ducent, who says he never gets tired of performing the song, says the success of It Wasn’t Me changed his life significantly.
“I was finally able to silence the detractors who thought I was wasting my life on this music nonsense and I also made my parents very proud. I was able to travel the world and see places it’s doubtful I would’ve seen otherwise. Over two decades later I still get recognised [and] can’t count the number of pictures I’ve taken and autographs I’ve signed for the nicest strangers you could ever meet… It’s allowed me to basically retire and focus entirely on raising my beautiful family. Eternally grateful for that,” Ducent shared.
Ducent, who was born in London to Jamaican parents, resided in rural Jamaica before relocating to Kingston at age 11. He said his love for music began to grow at an early age after hearing his parents singing and playing musical instruments.
In the wake of the success of It Wasn’t Me, Rik Rok released the song Shake It, which was featured on the Hey Sexy Lady rhythm. The song got significant airplay locally.