Sizzla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sizzla
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Sizzla Kalonji (middle) in 2013
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Miguel Orlando Collins |
| Also known as | Sizzla, Sizzla Kalonji |
| Born | 17 April 1976 |
| 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 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.
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About Sizzla
Sizzla was born in St. Mary, Jamaica. His parents were devout Rastafarians, and Sizzla also follows the Bobo Ashanti branch of the Rastafari faith. He grew up in August Town, Kingston, Jamaica, where he studied mechanical engineering in high school.
Sizzla's Music Career
Sizzla started to create his unique music style while working with the Caveman Hi-Fi sound system. He began recording music in 1995. He then worked with producer "Bobby Digital" Dixon on several songs. Sizzla also toured a lot with another artist named Luciano, which helped him become well-known.
In 1995, Sizzla started working with Philip "Fatis" Burrell. This led to many successful songs and Sizzla's first album, Burning Up. A year later, they released Praise Ye Jah. Soon after, he released Black Woman & Child, which included a very popular song with the same name. Sizzla had many more hit songs in 1997, like "Like Mountain" and "Babylon Cowboy." This started a period where he released a lot of music.
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. Many of his albums have appeared 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, covering different types of Reggae. He also started his own record company called Kalonji Records. In 2006, this company worked with Damon Dash Music Group and Koch Records to release his album The Overstanding.
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 against unfairness.
In 2013, Sizzla released the album The Messiah. In 2014, this album was nominated for a Grammy Award, which was his first nomination. Sizzla also appeared in Stephen Marley's song and video "Rock Stone" in 2014.
Sizzla's sons, Raheem Collins and Melech Collins, have also become musicians. They are known as Reemus K and Skorcha.
Judgement Yard Community
Judgement Yard is a community center in August Town, a part of Kingston, Jamaica. Sizzla Kalonji created it. It's also the name for the area where Sizzla lives and where his modern recording studio and record label, Kalonji Records, are located. As the founder, Sizzla helps many young people in August Town and from other areas. He guides them in life and in music. Many young musicians are part of the Judgement Yard community. Sizzla has recorded songs with artists from Judgement Yard, like Joseph Shepherd, Bobo David, and G-Mac.
Sizzla in Zimbabwe
In February 2010, Sizzla traveled to Zimbabwe to perform at the 86th birthday celebration of 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" and 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 political 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 in St. Ann, Jamaica, when he was hit by a bus. He started recording music again early the next year. In October 2019, he had another motorcycle accident and was hospitalized for a broken ankle.
Sizzla's Music Albums
See also
In Spanish: Sizzla para niños
