Jamaican reggae recording artiste, Sizzla Kalonji, one the island’s most commercially and critically successful, last Saturday (February 26) gave a historic performance at the National Indoor Sports Centre in celebration of Reggae Month.
The artiste performed a number of his classics including, Simplicity, Praise Ye Jah, Thank You Mama and Woman I Need You.
In honour of his performance, let’s take a look at 10 facts you ought to know about Sizzla Kalonji.
1.
Sizzla Kalonji, whose real name is Miguel Orlando Collins, was born on April 17, 1976.
2.
The artiste studied studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Technology (UTech) Jamaica.
3.
To date, the reggae superstar has toured extensively across the globe and has released scores of hits and over 56 albums.
4.
Sizzla’s first album, titled Burning Up, was distributed on Ras Records Label in 1995. In 2014, his album Messiah, was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category and his most recent album, released in 2021 is titled On A High.
5.
Sizzla is an active member of three Rastafarian Branches – Nyabinghi, Bobo Shanti and Twelve Tribe Movement.
6.
He is also a philanthropist and through his non-profit Sizzla Youth Foundation (SYF) seeks to educate, feed, and create a safe space for all youths in Jamaica and the world at large. Sizzla’s message is “No crime, no violence… education is the key. Stay In school. Africa!”
7.
On February 26, in celebration of Reggae Month, the artiste performed alongside Reggae Orchestra during VP Records’ Reggae Month concert. This was the first performance of its kind in the artiste’s career.
8.
The Reggae Month concert included an amazing musical line-up of a 35-piece reggae symphony including Dean Fraser’s All Star Band.
From left to right: Lead Orchestra Arranger, Jon Williams, Orchestra Conductor, Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, The Hon. Minister of Culture Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, Sizzla Kalonji, J Wray and Nephew Limited’s Brand Manager, Sasha Warner-Campbell, and Music Director, Dean Frazer joined Sizzla on stage to take a final bow as he ended his set at the Sizzla in Concert event held in honour of Reggae Month. The event aired on Saturday February 26.
9.
Dean Fraser, who performed with Sizzla in this once in a lifetime concert, met Sizzla as a student of Dunoon Technical High School and later introduced him to long-time manager, the late Fattis Burrell.
10.
Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum the Official Partner of Reggae Month 2022, made the Sizzla in Concert Performance possible.
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