Shaun Pizzonia (born March 9, 1968), or Sting International, is an American musician, DJ, sound engineer, songwriter, and producer best known for his work with Jamaican musician Shaggy and English musician Sting.[1][2]

Shaun Pizzonia
Also known asSting International
OriginNew York City
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • DJ
  • musician
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • guitar
  • bass
  • drums
  • percussion
Years active1986–present
Labels
  • Ranch Entertainment
  • Big Yard

Pizzonia was well known for his knowledge across numerous genres, and is one of the most in-demand radio and club DJs.[3] He has been influential in broadening dancehall reggae's audience. The name "Sting International" is based on an acronym of four DJ names: Shaun, Tony, Ian and Gary. "I threw an N in there and got STING, and I added International to it because it sounded f**king grand and everybody loved it."[3]

In 1996, Pizzonia founded Big Yard Records with Robert Livingston and Shaggy. After departing Big Yard in 2011, Pizzonia formed the record label Ranch Entertainment Inc (REI) with Shaggy, Paul Rossi, and Yoichi Imai, and Pizzonia is the label's chief producer.[4]

Selected works

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Awards and nominations

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Grammy Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
1996 Boombastic Best Reggae Album Won
2002 "It Wasn't Me" featuring Rikrok Best Pop Collaboration with Vocal Nominated
2006 Clothes Drop Best Reggae Album Nominated
2008 Intoxication Best Reggae Album Nominated
2012 Summer in Kingston Best Reggae Album Nominated
2019 44/876 Best Reggae Album Won

References

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  1. ^ "Sting International, Producer Of Shaggy's Hot Shot Album Calls The 2020 Remake "Desperate"". DancehallMag. April 15, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  2. ^ "Sting International y Gringo Man El Original, se unen y le envían carta a 'Nito' Cortizo". www.midiario.com (in Spanish). May 29, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Sting International, Shaggy's Longstanding Producer, Reflects on His Pioneering Career". billboard.com. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  4. ^ "Shaggy launches new reggae label based in Kingston and New York". clintonlindsay.com. July 10, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2020.