The words of one Miguel Collins aka Sizzla the latest roots sensation to emerge from the blessed Isle of Jamaica. Over the last three or four years Sizzla has released a staggering amount of records for - it seems - almost every producer in Jamaica. He received his fiery appellation from Jamstyle producer Homer Harris who discovered him whilst still at school, and the name is appropriate: Sizzla, his words burning down wickedness wherever it applies.
Like many other young artists at the forefront of Jamaica's new roots movement, including Capleton, Jah Cure and Anthony B., Sizzla's militant rasta stance is expressed through his adherance to Prince Emmanuel's priestly Bobo 'Shanti order whose affiliates often wear the turban and carry the broom. In 1996 Phillip "Fatis" Burrell issued Sizzla's debut album "Burning Up", but it was last year - 1997 - that Sizzla really set the reggae world on fire with a startling run of killer 45's, the Firehouse crew produced "Like mountain", "Babylon cowboy" and "Kings of the earth" for Fatis' Xterminator label, "Clean up your heart" on Barry O'Hare's Xrated imprint and many others. However, Sizzla fever reached a pitch last summer with the almost simultaneous release of two albums from the man: "Praise Ye Jah" and "Black woman and child". Both became instant contemporary roots reggae classics. In february 1998 Sizzla appeared in the U.K. for two ecstatically received shows in Birmingham and London as part of an Xterminator revue called "Hail Kings Of Glory '98" alongside Louie Culture, Mikey General, Malachi and Luciano backed by Dean Fraser and the Firehouse Crew.<
Sizzla's most recent records have been the 'Solomon' cut "Blessed The Youths" on Bobby Digital's Brickwall label, "Explain to almighty" (Solgie), "Till it some more" (Xterminator) and the two 12" disco 45s "Woman of Africa" (Greensleeves) produced by the Firehouse Crew and "Freedom cry/Saturated" on Jet Star's Xterminator subsidiary. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Sizzla. His asthonishing thought provoking lyrical ability - he rarely seems to repeat himself - and his righteous authentic Bobo inspired delivery mark him out as a true original, another phenomenal manifestation of the continuing spirit of rebellion that finds its voice in the oppressed of Jamaica.
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