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Billboard Hot 100 Charting producer Silent Addy is setting the record straight on why “Shake It To The Max” was never developed into a juggling riddim, despite early conversations around the idea.
In a recent explanation, Addy outlined how the business structure of the song played a major role in the final decision:
“The deal with Moliy was that we’re all partners on the full record — the song and the riddim — and that me, Neil and Moliy own the master together.”
The RIAA Gold selling producer revealed that the team did explore expanding the track into a juggling riddim, a move that could have brought multiple artists onto the same instrumental:
“At one point we explored turning it into a juggling and had conversations around it, but we ultimately weren’t aligned on that direction.”
While Addy and Neil supported the idea, they ultimately chose to respect the collective vision of the group:
“Me and Neil felt it would have been a strong move, especially for the culture, but we respected the decision to keep it as just ‘Shake It To The Max.’”
Shenseea, Disco Niel, MOLIY, Skillibeng and Silent AddyACEPXL
In February, international dancehall icon Shaggy revealed that he and fellow superstar Sean Paul were unable to jump on the “Shake It To The Max” because singer MOLIY declined to approve their involvement, a move he believes limited the Riddim’s potential within Jamaican culture.
Speaking in an interview with Anthony Miller of ER, Shaggy said the decision did not come from producer Silent Addy, who he insists supported the idea. Instead, he suggested MOLIY herself did not fully understand how the dancehall ecosystem works.
“It was no fault of Silent Addy, because I know they were totally down with it,” Shaggy explained. “I think MOLIY was the one that didn’t, and she didn’t understand the culture because she’s not from the culture.”
According to Shaggy, allowing multiple artists to voice on a rhythm, especially a hot one, is a long-standing practice in Jamaica that typically expands a song’s reach rather than diminishing it.
“She didn’t understand that letting everybody go on it actually makes the rhythm get bigger,” he said. “I think at that point, she probably felt a little threatened that everybody was jumping on her song. But that’s not how the game works, especially where Jamaica is concerned.”
The “Boombastic” hitmaker noted that because the remix never materialized, the momentum that could have come from heavyweight dancehall co-signs did not fully develop around the track
Released by gamma, Shake It To The Max Remix with MOLIY, Skillibeng, Shenseea and Silent Addy made its debut the week of May 31, 2025 at No. 91 and went on to peak at No. 44 the week of July 5. It charted 21 weeks, 18 of which were consecutive chart weeks.
It is certified Gold in the US for sales surpassing 500,000 units. It is the most successful global dancehall release last year. The music video is nominated for Best Music Video at the iheartRadio Music Awards.
Shaggy contrasted the situation with another producer he praised for embracing the open-rhythm approach.
“With DJ Mac, he has allowed everybody to do it and he has breathed a breath of fresh air,” Shaggy said, adding that the move has helped bring dancehall back into a vibrant, collaborative space, locally.
Meanwhile earlier this week Moliy responded to Shaggy’s claim that she was “gatekeeping” the Shake It To The Max rhythm by preventing others from using it.
Moliy rejected that idea, explaining her decision was about creative direction, not misunderstanding dancehall culture. She said:
“I understand the culture; I just had a different intention.”
She added that while some may now think the decision was wrong, perspectives can change over time:
“Maybe we will look at it 10 years from now and be like, ‘This was actually a great choice.’”
Moliy emphasized she’s open to collaborations—but only if artists are interested in her beyond that one rhythm:
“If you really mess with me, then hit me up and let’s work on something else… do you like me as an artiste?”
She also made it clear she simply wanted to evolve creatively after the song’s success, saying:
“I loved it… but at some point, I was just thinking, when do I get to do the next thing?”
English (US) ·