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Sizzla

THE packed house at Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records for the weekly Behind the Screen Series were not left wanting after a powerful twohour set by Sizzla.
“I was asked to keep it clean as possible,” Sizzla told the audience at the Constant Spring Road venue.
That did not stop him from ‘‘bunnin fyah’’ on what he feels are Jamaica’s ills, teasing the audience with tongue-in-cheek self censorship and innuendo.
The throng, familiar with his songs, filled in the ‘‘missing’’ lyrics for the diminutive singjay. An energetic Sizzla reeled off hit after hit, much to the delight of his fans.

The animated artiste danced his way through politically charged songs like ‘‘Show Us The Way’’, ‘‘Ain’t Gonna See Us Fall’’ and ‘‘Good Ways’’.
Showing his versatility, he switched to ballads like ‘‘Words Of Divine’’, ‘‘Thank You Mama’’, and ‘‘Just One of Those Days’’ before going into ‘‘fyah bun’’ mode with ‘‘To The Point’’, ‘‘Be Strong’’ and ‘‘Karate’’.

Sizzla passed the microphone to fellow artistes including Ninjaman, Jah Cure, Nature, Teflon, Kabaka Pyramid and Lutan Fyah.
Sizzla (given name Miguel Collins)spoke to the Jamaica Observer candidly regarding his drop in overseas shows.

“The lack of a visa has had an impact on my ability to generate revenue and spread my musical message across the world,” he said.
Sizzla has been unable to tour Europe and North America due to aggressive lobbying by gay groups who claim some of his songs encourage violence against them.

His major North American comeback tour was cancelled last year due to pressure by some of these organisations.
Sizzla says he is focused on recording self-produced albums and working with producers like Richard ‘‘Breadback’’ Bramwell.

Next year, he plans to drop a follow-up to his Grammy-nominated ‘‘The Messiah’’, tentatively titled Kingston Street. – Jamaica Observer.