Sizzla Kalonji

Miguel Orlando Collins, born 17 April 1976 in Kingston, Jamaica. His parents were devout to the Rastafari movement. He studied mechanical engineering at Dunoon High School and was raised in August Town, Jamaica. He is a Dancehall artist who has made quite a name for himself by releasing 56 solo albums as of 2018. Sizzla’s recording career in 1995 with a release through the Zagalou label. He had been developing his style as an apprentice with the Caveman Hi-Fi sound system. Sizzla’s got his first nomination for Best International Reggae Artist of the Year in 1998 MOBO Awards. This opened a place for him in various magazines’ top 100 albums of the year. He was praised all over the world. He paved the way for the conscious dancehall movement with his unique talent. Sizzla has maintained a constant presence in the reggae charts worldwide. Like other artists of his caliber, he is credited with leading a movement toward a re-embracement of Rastafarian values in contemporary reggae music. The Messiah was released in 2013 and the album was nominated for a Grammy Award in January 2014, his first nomination. Sizzla has featured in Stephen Marley’s single “Rock Stone,” both the song and its music video.

In the Eastern suburb, August Town, Jamaica, Sizzla built a community center called Judgement Yard. He has created a place for youths to come from other areas to seek aid and guidance in life as a whole as well as music. He is a mentor to many and his initiative has changed lives.