WORLD RENOWNED MUSICIAN STING AND DIAMOND-SELLING, GRAMMY AWARD WINNER SHAGGY TO SIT DOWN FOR NEW EPISODE OF SPEAKEASY ON PUBLIC TELEVISION PRESENTED BY CITI

TICKETS FOR MAY 24^TH TAPING ON SALE MAY 9^TH

On May 24th, Public Television’s critically acclaimed conversation series Speakeasy, will return to The McKittrick Hotel’s Manderley Bar in New York City to film an all new episode, presented by Citi, featuring iconic musicians Sting and Shaggy discussing their new album, 44/876. Doors will open at 4:00 PM and the show will begin promptly at 5:00 PM.  Tickets are available on May 9^th at 10:00 AM EST here: http://citi.us/2K2WccT

In creating their collaborative, island-inspired album 44/876, Sting and Shaggy drew from the many unlikely connections at the heart of their music. With its title referencing their hometown area codes, 44/876 first and foremost honors the duo’s deep-rooted love for Jamaica: Shaggy’s homeland, and the place where Sting penned such classics as The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.” Along with continuing each artist’s exploration of reggae and its transcendent rhythms, songs like “Don’t Make Me Wait” reveal Sting and Shaggy’s shared passion for making timeless music that defies expectation. Upon its release, “Don’t Make Me Wait” debut at #1 on the Billboard Reggae single sales chart.

Sting first rose to the spotlight as the principal songwriter, lead singer, and bassist of The Police before launching a successful solo career in 1985.  Over the years, he has become one of the world’s best-selling musical artists and was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has received multiple awards in recognition of his music including 16 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and 4 Brit Awards. Born and raised in Jamaica, Shaggy moved to Flatbush, Brooklyn as a teen and discovered his talent as a lyricist while freestyling with his classmates there. After serving in the US Marines for four years, he made his musical breakthrough in 1993 with “Oh Carolina,” a track that holds the distinction of being the first-ever dancehall record to chart in England (where it spent two weeks at No. 1. on the UK Singles Chart). A major force in boosting the worldwide popularity of reggae and dancehall music, Shaggy later went on to win the Best Reggae Album prize at the 1996 Grammy Awards for his third full-length effort Boombastic (featuring the platinum-selling and iconic title track). His catalog also includes the No. 1 mega-hits “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel,” both of which appeared on his diamond-selling album Hot Shot.

Speakeasy is the ground-breaking public television series from the producers of Front and Center which pairs Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy Award and Tony Award winners, and iconic musicians with an interviewer of their choice.  The result is an intimate conversation that leads to stories, experiences and compelling viewpoints that may not have been heard before. Speakeasy will return to public television for a fourth season Fall 2018.

Videos and more information about Speakeasy are available at https://www.facebook.com/SpeakeasyNYC and http://bit.ly/2cCgdJO.

Front and Center Entertainment, LLC produces the popular music performance television series Front and Center as well as the groundbreaking talk show Speakeasy and the monthly series MTV Live: Setlist. Since 2012 Front and Center has presented an eclectic mix of Grammy, Country Music Association, American Music and Academy of Country Music Award winners, rock icons and multi-platinum sellers including Keith Urban, Steven Tyler, Cyndi Lauper, Counting Crows, Rob Thomas, and The Avett Brothers. Speakeasy, which began airing in January 2015, features an iconic talent chatting intimately with an interviewer of their choice.  Included are conversations with Roger Waters and Bill Weir, David Crosby and Wynton Marsalis, Nile Rodgers and Valerie Simpson, and Robbie Robertson with Warren Zanes. MTV Live: Setlist spotlights rising artists spanning multiple genres including St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Dua Lipa, and Muna.