When MCA was getting ready to release
Rayvon's second album,
My Bad, it picked the infectious title track as the lead single -- and it was a perfect choice on MCA's part. Produced and co-written by
Dave Kelly, "My Bad" is exactly the sort of tune one expects from an associate of
Shaggy. In fact, the single takes dead aim at those who know
Rayvon for his appearances on crossover-minded
Shaggy hits like "Angel" and "In the Summertime." This tune is very
Shaggy-esque, and it has all of the elements that made "It Wasn't Me" a smash hit for
Shaggy in 2001 -- not only an infectious groove, but also lyrics that are naughty without being X-rated. "My Bad" finds
Rayvon telling off an ex-girlfriend and concluding that she mistreated him because he was too nice to her -- in other words, it has your basic no more Mr. Nice Guy theme. Lyrically, the single definitely has a biting edge, although "My Bad" is more fun than anything. And fun is, for the most part, what
Rayvon is about; he isn't the sort of reggae artist who is out to change the world. Another thing that makes "My Bad" an appropriate choice for a single is the tune's crossover appeal. Like a lot of
Rayvon's material, "My Bad" combines dancehall with elements of urban contemporary, hip-hop, and pop -- this single is crossover dancehall, pure and simple. And while that crossover approach won't appeal to those who consider themselves dancehall purists, it does result in a very infectious and radio-friendly single. ~ Alex Henderson