Sizzla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sizzla
Sizzla Kalonji (middle) in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Miguel Orlando Collins
Also known as	Sizzla, Sizzla Kalonji
Born	(1976-04-17) 17 April 1976 (age 49)
Origin	St. Mary, Jamaica
Genres	Reggae, ragga, dancehall
Occupations	Deejay, Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1990–present
Labels	Kalonji, Greensleeves, VP, Digital B, Xterminator

Miguel Orlando Collins (born on April 17, 1976), known as Sizzla Kalonji or Sizzla, is a famous reggae musician from Jamaica. He is known for releasing many albums and is one of the most successful reggae artists today. By 2018, he had released 56 solo albums.

About Sizzla

Sizzla was born in St. Mary, Jamaica. His parents were devoted Rastafarians, and Sizzla also follows the Bobo Ashanti branch of the Rastafari faith. He grew up in August Town, Kingston, where he studied mechanical engineering at Dunoon High School.

His Music Journey

Sizzla started to create his own unique music style while working with the Caveman Hi-Fi sound system. He began his recording career in 1995. He worked with producer "Bobby Digital" Dixon on several songs. Sizzla also toured a lot with fellow artist Luciano, which helped him become well-known.

In 1995, Sizzla met Dean Fraser, a top Jamaican saxophonist. This meeting led to Sizzla working with Philip "Fatis" Burrell. This partnership helped Sizzla release many successful songs and his first album, Burning Up.

A year later, they released Praise Ye Jah. Soon after, Sizzla released Black Woman & Child, which became a huge hit and a popular reggae song. Sizzla had many more hit songs in 1997, including "Like Mountain" and "Kings of the Earth." He also sang a duet with Luciano called "Build a Better World." This started a very busy period where he recorded many albums.

Sizzla was nominated for Best International Reggae Artist of the Year at the 1998 MOBO Awards. He has released many albums since then, including Kalonji in 1998 and Royal Son of Ethiopia in 1999. He received another MOBO nomination in 1999. Sizzla's music often appears on reggae charts around the world. He has had 21 albums on the Billboard's Top Reggae Albums chart. His album Words of Truth reached number 5 on that chart.

Sizzla Kalonji has released over 45 solo albums and more than 15 albums with other artists. He has also started his own record company, Kalonji Records. In 2006, he released the album The Overstanding through Kalonji Records, working with Damon Dash Music Group and Koch Records. Other albums released by Kalonji Records include Black History and Life.

Sizzla, along with other reggae artists like Capleton and Buju Banton, helped bring back Rastafarian values into modern reggae music. Their songs often talk about spirituality, social awareness, and standing up for what they believe in. They sing about faith in Jah and resisting unfairness.

In 2008, Sizzla released Ghetto Youth-ology, which was produced by the Firehouse Crew. This was the same team that produced his first album, Burning Up.

In 2013, he released the album The Messiah. In January 2014, this album was nominated for a Grammy Award, which was his first Grammy nomination. In 2014, Sizzla was featured in the song and music video for Stephen Marley's song "Rock Stone."

Sizzla's sons, Raheem Collins and Melech Collins, have also become musicians. They perform under the names Reemus k and Skorcha.

Judgement Yard Community

Judgement Yard is a community center in August Town, a part of Kingston, Jamaica. Sizzla Kalonji started it. It's also the name for the area at 41 August Town Road, where Sizzla has one of his homes. Judgement Yard is home to Kalonji's modern recording studio and his record label, Kalonji Records. As the founder, Sizzla helps many young people in August Town and from other areas. He offers them guidance in life and music. Many young people who are part of Judgement Yard are musicians or work in music production. Sizzla has recorded songs with artists from Judgement Yard, such as Joseph Shepherd, Bobo David, and G-Mac.

Sizzla in Zimbabwe

In February 2010, Sizzla traveled to Zimbabwe to perform at the 86th birthday celebration for former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. During his performance, there was a crowd disturbance, and Sizzla asked the police to stop hitting people.

Later that year, Sizzla received a farm in Zimbabwe. He said he was "here to stay" in the country. He also planned to start a farming business and build a recording studio there. Sizzla stated that the land was given to him by the local people who appreciated his performance, not as a reward from the government. He also mentioned plans to eventually make Zimbabwe his permanent home.

Motorcycle Accidents

On August 24, 2011, Sizzla was in a motorcycle accident. A bus hit him while he was riding in St. Ann, Jamaica. There were false reports that he had died, but he recovered and started recording music again by early 2012. In October 2019, he was in another motorcycle accident and was hospitalized for a broken ankle.

Discography

See also

In Spanish: Sizzla para niños