Miguel Collins A.K.A Sizzla is one of the most prolific artists in Jamaica’s history. Very few have had the level of commercial success and cultural connection that Sizzla has enjoyed for over 2 decades. His consistent pen and studio ethic produced over 60 albums and his music is revered by his peers in hi hop and pop culture from Jay-Z, Ja Rule, 50 Cent, Rihanna to DJ Khaled. Equally, his onstage performance is just as impactful with his fiery spirit as he hails Rastafari.
Here at 5 times Sizzla Kolonji’s music put the reggae culture on the global stage.
1. Black Woman & Child
Sizzla’s second studio album. Black Woman & Child released in 1997 by VP records, is produced by Robert “Bobby Digital” Dixon. The title track still remains one of his more successful reggae hits and is regarded as a classic.
“‘Black Woman & Child ‘ is one of Kalonji’s earliest tributes to the African identity. Black Woman & Child celebrates the continuation of the African race and royalty passed through generations of leaders and children, and Sizzla’s love and appreciation for black women and children rather than money and material gain.” Per Dancehall Mag
The album was listed in the 1999 book The Rough Guide: Reggae: 100 Essential CDs. The impact of the album transcended demography; When this album came out many young men and women converted to the Rastafarian faith in Jamaica and an even larger number started to sport the locks hairstyle.
2. Da Real Thing
Between 1997 and 2002 Sizzla’s released seventeen studio albums. Da Real Thing, released in 2002 has both dancehall and reggae singles. Hits from this album include “Solid as a Rock”, “Thank U Mamma” and “Just One of Those Days (Dry Cry)”. It is Sizzla‘s most successful commercial album to date, and it was ranked No. 32 on Complex Magazine’s 100 Best “Albums Of The Complex Decade” list in 2012. Other classic albums on that list include Kanye West College Dropout, 50 Cent Get Rich OR Die Trying, Kanye West And Jay Z Watch The Throne. The Real Thing peaked at number 6 and spent 51 weeks on the Hot R&B/ Hip Hop Songs. A concert of the same name was held in Miami where the grammy nominee delivered one of his best performances to a capacity crowd.
3. Solid As A Rock
Solid As A Rock as Sizzla’s most sampled song. The line “They can’t keep a good man down” and “Solid As A Rock” has become a hip hop mantra which has been used by Jay-Z on his Magna Carter Holy Grail album track Crown, and by arch-nemesis Ja Rule and 50 Cent who both did songs titled The Crown and My Crown.
4. Sizzla and Rihanna
Pop Star Rihanna is no stranger to reggae culture but she has a special love for Sizzla’s music as she quotes him and uses his music as backdrop for some of her special moments. Recently, to celebrate her album Anti spending 5 years on the Billboard 200 charts Rihanna used Sizzla’s Black Woman And Child single as the soundtrack of her achievement on instagram thus promoting Sizzla to her over 106 million social media fans.
The two have a longstanding musical relationship starting with their critically acclaimed remix of the hit “Give Me a Try” off Sizzla’s Rise To The Occasion album. In 2018 rumors began to swirl about Rihanna doing another song with Sizzla for her yet to be released reggae album.
5. Sizzla and DJ Khaled
Like Rihanna, DJ Khaled is no stranger to Jamaican culture and the artists in the genre have embraced him with dub-plates and features. In return, as he finds success on the international scene he pays homage by collaborating with those who helped him along the way. Sizzla is one such artist and Khaled also look to him for inspiration during his day to day affairs as well as for his albums.
Khaled can be seen playing Sizzla’s music on his instagram while watering his flowers or playing with his children. On his albums Grateful and Father Of Asahd, Sizzla is featured on the first songs. Sizzla sings the title track “I Am So Grateful” and it is Sizzla along with Buju Banton, Mavado and 070 Shake on the opening song “Holy Mountain” on Father of Asahd. Both albums have since been certified platinum by the RIAA.
