I spoke to Sizzla from my home office phone courtesy of Caribbean Uprising Newspaper and Koch Records. Although, it was a little difficult to hear through the long distance connection, Sizzla did make his message as clear as he does in his music.
Sizzla is an artist of polished diamond caliber in the world of hip hop/ reggae in his own creative right . In review of his compositions such as the heavy down beat of "Chant Dem Down' and the old school reggae sway of "Jah Jah Run Tings" and smooth R & B melody of" Take Myself Away" it is apparent that this is an artist with prophetic intent from the Rasta spiritual infusions. Since Sizzla's hit CD's in 97 "Praise Ye Jah" and "Black Woman & Child" he has continued to be one of reggae dance hall music's vast songwriting reservoir. Sizzla is definitely good for the listen and the dance hall groove with menacing reggae pulsations and corse vocal grit. Speaking with the man was very different from the sounds I hear in his music. I suddenly envisioned the quiet spoken gentleman at the other end of the line, who let out a shy chuckle when I mentioned how famous he is here. The humble Rasta was speaking. The interview was one tracked in responses from the power burst of Rasta Fari. Sizzla believes whole heartedly that his mission is to influence the youth; Europe belongs to Europeans, Asia belongs to Asians, and Africa belongs to black Africans. Sizzla¡¯s message to all Black girls and women is that we are priestesses, and to all Black boys and men you are all priests.
His message is all about the return of the African Diaspora to its point of origin. A clear message of repatriation of the mother continent so when listening to Sizzla remember it's a brief moment in time measured by 15 to 20 tracks on the average to just get back to your roots. When I asked if he is aware of the controversies arising concerning his views on the alternative lifestyles of others, he affirmed his position to be true to his right to freedom of speech.
When I asked about his connection to Koch Records, Sizzla translated the developments from friend ofFoxy Brown bringing him to meet Jay Z in New York and Come Fly With Me was born, but neither Jay or Def Jam were following through with a deal, so he stuck with Damon Dash who soon got the deal with Koch. As Sizzla reinstates, its all about getting his message worldwide. So here it is the choice tracks in his opinion for what,s to come on The Overstanding Cd: the all time favorites return on this CD Thank You Mama andSolid As A Rockwhich was released in the Reggae industry and he's now glad he can take it to another market in the U.S. Listen up for the new Take Myself Away , Love You Baby, Beautiful Day and Break Free.
We are fortunate to have this opportunity to hear directly from this prophetic brother, since he rarely if ever grants media interviews because of his personal convictions that the media is a corrupt voice. But you¡¯ve read it here on Heads Up Live where Sizzla shared in his own real words, about his real messages in his real music. Thank you Sizzla for sharing a moment of your time.
SEE YOU AT THE DOCKS Dec. 1, Toronto !!!
Eryn Vogn & Julius Veal
Heads Up Live Media