Shaggy caused a stir this Thanksgiving when he performed his 2000 hit “It Wasn’t Me” during the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City—much to the shock of parade-goers and viewers at home.
The 57-year-old reggae star appeared on the Jennie-O Big Turkey Spectacular float alongside longtime collaborator Rayvon, kicking off with the classic “Mr. Bombastic” before diving into the famously risqué “It Wasn’t Me.” The song, which tells the story of a man caught cheating, is packed with adult content—yet it was performed in front of children and families during a beloved holiday event.
While Shaggy wisely skipped some of the song’s most explicit lyrics, including lines about being “butt naked” and “bangin’ on the bathroom floor,” the core premise of cheating still raised eyebrows. Social media erupted with viewers expressing disbelief, frustration, and even outrage.
“I’m so serious nobody wants to hear Shaggy ‘wasn’t me’ singing about getting caught cheating,” one X user wrote. “Imagine having to explain the lyrics to a child who keeps picking it up and singing it nonstop.” Another tweeted, “I’m no prude, but Shaggy singing ‘It Wasn’t Me’ probably not right for the Thanksgiving parade.”
Others couldn’t hide their astonishment at the bold choice. “Something truly glorious about Shaggy singing ‘It Wasn’t Me’ to the elementary schoolers at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025,” one viewer commented, clearly in awe but also incredulous.
Fans weren’t the only ones raising eyebrows this year. Busta Rhymes also performed on a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles float and faced accusations of lip-syncing, but that controversy didn’t overshadow the shock caused by Shaggy’s performance.
While parade organizers typically allow artists to tone down lyrics for a family-friendly audience, Shaggy’s decision to include an adult-themed hit in a lineup full of giant character balloons and children’s favorites left many questioning the judgment behind the song choice.
Nasty man.