Sizzla Controversy

Miguel Orlando Collins, popularly known as Sizzla Kalonji, is a reggae artist from August Town in Kingston, Jamaica. Before emerging in the latter part of the nineties as one of the prolific leaders for conscious dancehall movement, Sizzla worked as a singer on the Caveman Hi-Fi sound system. 

During that time, he joined other artists such as Capleton and Buju Banton, by producing music with strong Rastafarian content to help bring back the spiritual and musical aspects of roots reggae to the dancehall. Although Sizzla is a member of the Bobo Ashanti camp, he often released songs with controversial lyrics which seem particularly aggressive towards White Oppressors and Homosexuals.

Sizzla’s spiritual lyrics and energetic sing jay style helped him to earn a name in the music industry, starting with his debut album (Burning Up) in 1995. The follow up album in 1997 called Black Woman & Child earned him international fame and nominations for the MOBO award in 1998 and a place in numerous top magazines for albums in the top 100 category. 

During these years, Sizzla was working with producer Phillip Burrell and touring with reggae artist Luciano and others. From 1995, Sizzla has managed to release more than 60 albums and hundreds of singles. Even though fans complain that certain songs were of mediocre quality, he has managed to produce good quality albums over and over again to surprise listeners.

Sizzla lyrics stirred controversy in many ways, especially after the year 2000. For one, many Gay rights organisations and European listeners were offended by some of his homophobic lyrics. Then, there was a falling out with fellow Rastafarian artist like Luciano as his songs had explicit descriptions of strong sexual issues and he was reportedly portraying an extravagant lifestyle. Sizzla was also having problems in the Bobo Ashanti camp, as the elders distanced themselves from his lifestyle and music repeatedly.

Sizzla earned a homophobia reputation worldwide because of the anti-gay contents in many songs, which frequently share the views of the radical Bobo Ashanti group. Sizzla’s refusal to give in to the demands of many organisations which supports gay rights led to the cancellations of numerous international shows. The demands involve issuing a formal apology for the anti-gay lyrics and signing an agreement to stop producing more songs with anti-gay lyrics. Sizzla lost millions of dollars because hundreds of concerts were cancelled in the US and Europe.

In 2004, Sizzla was banned from the United Kingdom so he could not perform in several concerts. During that time, an extensive investigation was done to check the lyrics of songs from many reggae artists including Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, and Elephant Man due to complaints from a LGBT rights group in Britain called OutRage!. Although it was suspected, there was no confirmation that Sizzla’s songs were examined. 

The allegations from Outrage! was that some of the songs from Sizzla contained lyrics which promote violence against members of the LGBT group.

In 2004, Sizzla released a song called Nah Apologize and this created a bit of controversy among some gay leaders. In 2007, the Stop Murder Music Canada organisation protested strongly against Sizzla’s music and this led to the cancellations of concerts in Montreal and Toronto. 

While touring in 2008, he was prevented from finishing half of the tour as the Germans cancelled his visa and send him back to the US. Even so, Sizzla still stand his ground as he would use his freedom of speech and creative expressions to speak out against inequality whenever he sees it. After many protests from the public in 2009 & 2010, most of his concerts were cancelled in Germany.

Sizzla’s controversial songs are still hurting his performances in 2012, as public protests has led to the cancellations of concerts in places like Madrid Spain, Belgium, Ghent and Stockholm Sweden. After the show cancellations, a statement was issued by Kalonji Muzik to say that he accepts the laws of in the countries where he performs and is not trying to incite or invoke violence against any individual or group. In spite of some cancellations, Sizzla’ tour continued successful with sold out venues in more than sixteen other European cities. He continued to perform several anti-homosexual songs in 2012, including the Murder Dem track, at the St Mary Mi Come From show which is held annually in Annotto Bay.

Due to the controversies surrounding his music, any club that is hiring Sizzla must at least come to an agreement for him to cease from making comments or performing songs with lyrics which promotes hatred against LGBT people. Although such comments and songs are acceptable in certain countries such as Jamaica and some Caribbean and African countries, they are barred in Canada, U.S., the U.K. and certain places in Europe.

Despite the controversies surrounding his music, Sizzla has managed to maintain a strong presence in the reggae industry. In fact, his throaty and gruff singing style has become a trademark for the new generation of radical Rastafarian singers and DJs. Overall, Sizzla’s music is positive and his lyrics advocate compassion and faith for the poor black youths as well as respect for all women. Today, Sizzla is recognised as one of the most popular artists for conscious reggae music. 

Sizzla Kalonij: His Early Influence on Jamaican Music and Legacy Today

Sizzla, popularly called Sizzla Kalonji, is a Jamaican artist who was born in St. Mary on the April 17, 1976. Miguel Orlando Collins is his birth name. His was raised by Rastafarian parents who lived in August Town, which is located in Kingston Jamaica.

Sizzla started his musical career during the early teenage years where he was groomed at the time by Homer Harris. He learned the skills as well as techniques which were needed for him to become an excellent artist. 

His name was Little One during the early years, but Harris called him Sizzla due to his loved for hot soup and how he drank it like cold water. This sizzle was reflected in his lyrical delivery and style as well.

During the same period of time, Sizzla was developing a career in the field of mechanical engineering at Dunoon High School and he also got some training at an auto garage that was operated by Aston Collins, his father. It did not take long for the mechanic dreams to fade away as music take over. 

Sizzla’s mother, affectionately called Mama Lou, also played a big role in his life as she made sure that he got a very strong education. His years of studying contributed significantly to not only a love for writing, but for his musical legacy.

While focusing on his music, Sizzla Kalonji also spent several years studying the Rastafi principles in St Thomas at an official Bobo Ashanti Camp. Here, he embraced fully the philosophies of not just Rastafari, but also panAfricanism, reparations and repatriation to Africa, and cannabis was used as a spiritual sacrament.

When Sizzla honed his skills in music, he got a gig on the Caveman Hi-Fi sound system and made his name as a performer. He emerged on the music scene in the latter part of the 1990s with heavy Rastafarian influence to lead the dancehall back to its spiritual and musical roots of reggae.

In 1995, he released his first single on the small Zagalou label and Homer introduced him to Luciano and Bobby Digital Dixon. This ultimately led to an extensive music tour with Luciano, who is a fellow artist with roots and culture lyrics. Although this tour gave Sizzla some publicity, his breakout success did not come until Dean Fraser, a popular saxophonist, recommended him to Philip Fatis Burrell, a well-known producer.

This musical connection marked a very important turning point as Sizzla and Fatis developed a mutual respect as well as inspiration right from the start. 

Sizzla had a successful run with singles leading to the release of a debut album called Burning Up. The alliance was successful once again a year later with the Praise Ye Jah album. Sizzla secured his position in the music industry as a top artist in the conscious reggae category and set about to become a spiritual messenger. As a passionate and brilliant performer, he broke many boundaries and appeal to those who were looking for music that was brand-new with more depth. The latest dancehall rhythms and the Rasta principles combine to help make Sizzla’s hard-line approach to music more pleasant.

Sizzla had a major breakthrough in 1997 when he released Black Woman and Child album, which is a classic today. With all the hallmarks of a production that is influenced by Bobby Digital, this album had a phenomenal impact on reggae as well as the mainstream markets. Aside from getting universal praise, Sizzla was nominated as the Best International Reggae Artist for the Year 1998 by MOBO Awards and the album was featured in many magazines. Sizzla had many more hits in 1997, such as Like Mountain, King of the Earth and Babylon Cowboy.

There is no denying that Sizzla has the ability to combine passionate lyrics with simple rhythms which covers different genres from roots reggae to dancehall and surprisingly to commercial soul and R&B music. Sizzla manages to have a very strong presence over the years on the reggae charts across the world. He has released more than fifty solo albums and more than fifteen combinations, crossing over different Reggae genres. 

Twenty-one of the albums have made it to the Billboard Top Reggae Music Chart to date, with the Words of Truth reaching the highest position at number five. In addition to that, Sizzla’s recordings have gone to many top 10 and top 100 charts. He  has earned awards from many sources include MOBO, Vibe Magazine, IRAWMA, EME, People Choice, Rolling Stone, IRIE FM, Digital Music Award, Reggae Academy Awards, and numerous Grammy nominations.

Today, Sizzla is one of the most critically acclaimed and popular reggae artistes. He is also a prolific leader when it comes to the conscious movement of dancehall. He continues to release a lot of music throughout his career displaying a level of talent which shows through his spirituality and creativity. Sizzla is also somewhat controversial, as he has maintained strong views of Bobo Ashanti, especially promoting the end of oppression and the African Family.

Overall, Sizzla’s music is positive with lyrics advocating compassion for the poor black youths, faith and respect for women. Even though he rarely gives interviews and he does not appear in a lot of concerts, Sizzla is stilled ranked as arguably one of the most popular artists in the conscious reggae category and many know him worldwide through his high number of top releases.