One of the leaders of the reggae dancehall movement, Sizzla Kalonji or simply Miguel Orlando Collins in real life emerged as a promising reggae artist in the late 90’s for his songs about love, faith, and advocacy. He gained popularity not only from his chart-topping singles but also from his controversial topics on homosexuality and western oppression.
Born on April 17, 1976 and raised by Rastafarian parents, Sizzla grew up with principles from the Bobo Ashanti branch of the Rastafari movement. He studied mechanical engineering in Kingston, Jamaica but he ended up with gigs for the Caveman Hi-Fi sound system. After honing his talents and making his own style of music, he was able to make a name for himself as a local performer. In 1995, he was able to deliver his message to a much bigger crowd as he released his first single with Zagalou label. A series of singles came after teaming up with “Bobby Digital” Dixon but his success isn’t that solid until he was recommended to producer Philip “Fatis” Burrel by the Jamaican saxophonist Dean Fraser. “Burning Up”, his first LP materialized later that year after releasing singles “Judgement Morning”, “Blaspheme”, “We Uh Fear”, “I’m not sure”, “Life’s Road” and “The Gun” – a Shadowman duet.
With the release of the second Burrel produced album “Praise Ye Jah” and Dixon produced album “Black Woman & Child” in 1997, Sizzla really became one of the best dancehall reggae artist throughout the globe. Sizzla’s hot streak of chart topping hits, from “Like a Mountain”, “Kings of the Earth”, “Babylon Cowboy”, to the Luciano duet “Building a Better World”, created a strong bond with Burrel. In 1998, Sizzla received his first nomination as the MOBO Awards’ Best International Reggae Artist of the Year. He was also feature in magazines, earning a place in the Top 100 Albums of the Year. Sizzla received his second MOBO nomination a year after. Controversies arose in 2004 as Sizzla was barred from entering countries and performing live concerts. Advocating violence against homosexuals in some of his songs, some of Sizzla’s concerts were cancelled after protests of Stop Murder Music Canada coalition, and other anti-violence movements in Spain, and UK.
Crossing different styles of reggae, Sizzla was able to release over 45 solo albums and 15 compilation albums. After years of performing and recording hits, he started his own record company which is the collaboration with Koch Records and Damon Dash Music Group – the Kalonji Records
The early 2010 gave Sizzla an opportunity to perform at the 86th birthday celebration of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Months later, he was given a farm in the country where he can permanently stay as a citizen. Despite of all the controversies in his life, Sizzla remains committed in creating reggae music for the new generation.
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