Monday, August 8th, 2005

Sizzla Signs To Dame Dash Label


Photo by the legendary Afflicted!

Just received this press release, re: Sizzla. Old “New Roots” fan that I am (and I am still hoping for an Ini Kamoze comeback–80s version!), I feel like he’s about 6 or 7 years off his peak. At this point he’s like Prince in the 90s. Lots of output, not a lot of killers.

Diversion: I loved Da Real Thing but it was only 80% of a perfect album. Remember 1997? Black Woman & Child and Praise Ye Jah. That’s like putting out Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint in the same year.

All this said, “Be Strong” was probably the best “Drop Leaf” 7″, and Sizzla’s been playing with hip-hop crossover for about 4 years now (mostly unmemorably). There’s a lot of ways that this marriage makes perfect sense. The main thing will be to pair him with a producer who can inspire and–mainly–edit.

Maybe give Don Corleon the job, and tell him not to come back until he has 12 certifiable bangers. Even if that means spending more than two weeks to actually do an album.

Thing is, general North American audiences won’t be as forgiving as we reggae fans are. We’ll buy every 1 of the 16 Sizzla albums every year, hoping to get maybe 3-5 good tracks. These fools will download the shit with Foxy Brown for free and be like, who’s that Jamaican dude and what’s he yo-oh-yoing about?

Overall, I haven’t had a chance to listen or write about dancehall as much as I would have liked to for the past 2 years, but I’m convinced that this year is going to be a really interesting one. As Buju would say, here why:

-Soca no-names and non-Jamaican neo-dancehall divas are burning up the summer charts.
-You can now hear reggaeton playing in a Mill Valley Baskin & Robbins.

If you count the Caribbean influence on grime and crunk–that latter thing is a debate I’m dying to fire up, but not here–dancehall has conquered hip-hop in death by a thousand hybrids. And yet dancehall artists still might not win. Again, here why:

-Sean Paul’s followup appears to be stalled.
-Baby Cham’s album is still not scheduled.
-Ele and Vybz never caught flight.
-Beenie Man is missing in Aruba.

The question is: did our dancehall heroes do it to themselves, or is everyone else just moving a lot faster?

And now everyone is supposedly talking about roots again. But forgive me, because this is my sound, but I gotta say this: I Wayne is not the real thing, Jah Cure can’t tour for another decade, the Marleys (even those whose mother is not named Rita) always get a free pass from foreign, and all of these dudes have women problems. How long will this last?

More questions for a hot summer day.

REGGAE SUPERSTAR SIZZLA SIGNS TO
DAMON DASH MUSIC GROUP

US TOUR SET TO LAUNCH AUGUST 18;
MAJOR LABEL DEBUT ALBUM SET FOR EARLY ’06

NEW YORK, NY – August 8, 2005 – International reggae superstar Sizzla, one of Jamaica’s most gifted, most prolific, and best-loved artists of the past decade, has signed with the Damon Dash Music Group (DDMG). With over 30 full-length albums released for labels like VP Records, Greensleeves, and Jet Star, and countless 7-inch singles released in his native Jamaica – including last summer’s crossover smash “Just One Of Those Days (Dry Cry)” – his forthcoming DDMG release, set for an early-2006 release, will mark Sizzla’s major-label debut.

What may seem at first a strange musical marriage – Jamaica’s Sizzla, a reclusive, devout Rastafarian and Harlem’s Damon Dash, the brash, outspoken mogul and CEO of DDMG, Sizzla joins an already eclectic DDMG roster including the infamous rapper Beanie Sigel, R&B singers Rell and Nicole Wray, and the legacy of the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard.

“The signing of Sizzla to the Damon Dash Music group is actually a perfect fit,” explains Dash. “I am an entrepreneur: when I see a market I haven’t yet infiltrated, I’m going after it. Reggae and Caribbean music is a huge international marketplace and, of course, I like the scope of that. Sizzla is unquestionably the genre’s biggest, most talented, most prolific, most important star. I’m looking forward to reaching Sizzla’s already massive fanbase, and more importantly, exposing him to a brand new one. I’m proud and excited to have Sizzla as a new addition to the DDMG family.”
Emerging during the latter half of the ’90s, Sizzla – born Miguel Collins in the rugged August Town area of Kingston – has been one of the leaders of the conscious dancehall movement. Along with veteran acts like Buju Banton and Capleton, and more recently I-Wayne and Damien “Junior Gong” Marley, Sizzla has helped lead dancehall back to the musical and spiritual influence of roots reggae, favoring organic productions and heavily Rastafarian subject matter. Something of an enigma to the public at large, Sizzla has rarely granted interviews and has kept his concert appearances to a minimum. All of that, Dash insists, is about to change.

“When my VP of A&R, Clark Kent, brought Sizzla to me, I didn’t know what to expect. This artist has blown me away. We’re actually very much alike. He’s a workaholic, like me. He’s in the studio every day, recording literally hundreds of songs. He’s not only punctual, he’s actually early for promotional appointments. We’re both respected and accomplished, yet we’re both still hungry.”

Regardless of his public persona, Sizzla has ranked as arguably the most popular conscious reggae artist of his time. From his breakout year of 1997, which saw the release of his critically and publicly-acclaimed second and third albums, Praise Ye Jah and Black Woman & Child – both instant classics – to 2004’s return to form Da Real Thing, Sizzla career-spanning 30-plus albums have amassed a catalogue of anthems beloved by reggae fans everywhere, including “Dry Cry,” “Thank You Mama,” “Solid As a Rock,” “Praise Ye Jah,” “Black Woman & Child,” “Good Ways,” “Holding Firm,” and many, many more.

posted by @ 7:41 am | 39 Comments



39 Responses to “Sizzla Signs To Dame Dash Label”

  1. Eric says:
    August 10, 2005 at 12:00 am

    Just out of curiosity, why is I-Wayne not the real thing?

  2. Anonymous says:
    August 12, 2005 at 5:30 am

    Yea, how come?

  3. Anonymous says:
    August 12, 2005 at 11:42 am

    He’s not the next Sizzla. I just think Satisfy is not that satisfying. One trick pony.

    BTW I will probably have to eat my words on the Marleys. My friend told me Jr. Gong’s new album is one of the best things he’s heard in years in any genre. I’d be skeptical except that this homie knows his music very well…

    Jeff

  4. Rizoh says:
    August 16, 2005 at 8:26 pm

    Hmm…Sizzla and Dame, that’s an interesting match-up. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

  5. Anonymous says:
    August 22, 2005 at 9:31 am

    i think this shit sucks,
    and lets not allow the greed
    of capitalism to force us
    to INFILTRATE every avenue of
    music.
    some things need to be left
    alone…
    look what happened to hip hop!
    it was good when it was untouched
    by the greedy money hungry
    CEO’s, then it got pulled into
    the mainstream by the hands of
    the wrong people and we are left
    with a dying form of music that
    was once pure.
    Leave Sizzla to the underground
    and dont pollute him with the
    mainstream BULLSHIT!!!

  6. beez says:
    August 22, 2005 at 3:48 pm

    Another reason why it probably won’t go big is that Dame hasn’t yet had any success without Jay and I’m not sure the world at large sees him as anyhting more than a fat faced dude who never wears the same pair of shoes twice.
    Plus the DD Records logo is shite on a bike.

  7. Anonymous says:
    September 15, 2005 at 7:14 pm

    Ooooh hell naw has Sizzla gone MAD!?!? Wahwas he thinking when he signed with DDMG (Dame Dash Music Group)
    I was listening to Sizzla freestyle on http://www.reggelink.com and As a number one fan I was appauled and very shocked with his raunchy and disrespectful lyrics. you can check it out for yurself.

    did he sell out for da BLING?!

  8. Anonymous says:
    October 5, 2005 at 7:05 pm

    yo sizzla come out of that shit, you to good for that, they only want to use you for fame, now there going down

  9. Anonymous says:
    October 5, 2005 at 7:08 pm

    watch what you signing sizzla I know you aint stupid , watch your back

  10. Anonymous says:
    October 7, 2005 at 5:29 pm

    rastafari guide and protect sizzla from dem bloodclot vampire bwoys

  11. Anonymous says:
    October 17, 2005 at 6:53 am

    Blessed Love to Kalonji.
    This is Empress Jecoliah.
    I loved seeing the recording of your latest video on Flatbush.
    I’d love to see you again.
    QEDAMAWI HAILE SELLASSIE

  12. Anonymous says:
    October 18, 2005 at 4:59 am

    sizzla a bad man him soon mash up di place hail king sellassie

    emperor premo

  13. Anonymous says:
    October 18, 2005 at 8:01 am

    hey kalonji .
    hail me up at empressikeba@hotmail.com.
    blessed love

  14. Sadiki says:
    October 19, 2005 at 5:22 am

    Sadiki: Sizzla Kalangi by far will be remembered with the likes of Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and all the greats of Reggae music. I am a huge Sizzla fan. I buy everything that has Sizzla’s name on it. However, Sizzla, you need to leave that explicit bullshit alone. Stay consciuos and don’t ruine your base. Remember you told those heathens to get some “Good Ways.” Don’t forget that!

  15. Anonymous says:
    October 20, 2005 at 8:13 am

    I THINK DD IS AN ASS HOLE AND I DONT THINK SIZZLA COULD BE FOND OF HIM, SIZZLA DOESNT NEED THE DICKHEAD HE SHOULD HAVE SIGNED WITH A HOTTER LABEL AT LEAST WE WOULD BE SURE HE WOULD RAISE THE FUNDS TO LOOK OUT FOR THE GHETTO YOUTHS OF JAMAICA. SIZZLA IS THE GREATEST AND HE IS THE VOICE OF ALL CONSCIUOS BLACK PEOPLE .

  16. Anonymous says:
    October 20, 2005 at 8:28 am

    WHAT IS THIS WORLD WITHOUT LOVE,
    PUT AWAY YOUR DISTRUST AND GRUDGE,
    WORDS WITHOUT WORKS IS NOT ENOUGH, AND EVERYDAY THE JOURNEY GETS ROUGH.

    RASTAFARI BLESS AND KEEP KALONJI IN ALL HIS ENDEAVOURS. NO MAN ON THIS EARTH CAN JUDGE, LEAVE IT TO H.I.M. ME PERSONALLY, I SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH HOW KALONJI GOES ABOUT HIS BUSINESS. HE IS THE ROYAL SON OF KING DAVID THAT IS WHY HE IS SO BLEST. ANYONE WHO TRIES TO FIGHT HIM WILL GET CAUGHT UP IN SELASSIE WRATH AND JUDGEMENT.

    KEEP SELASSIE I LIGHT SHINING.
    BLESSED LOVE ITEGUE MENEN
    empressikeba@hotmail.com

  17. FyahMan says:
    November 3, 2005 at 12:40 pm

    Sizzla uh di king. Dis man is the hardest working artist in the industry. Much respect to him. His lyrics provoke thoughts of love and positivity. Sizzla is a gift from jah himself. I truly hope he blows up the american market with his signing to ddmg. Remember that words of love and righteousness can change the world. One love

  18. Anonymous says:
    November 6, 2005 at 1:18 pm

    Sizzla is an inspiration to me and alot of other people.Everything he produces is positive. On hearing of the signing and seeing the Sizzla and juelz santana video(‘shotta’) i was a little dissapointed due to fact that we bun bocat and sodomite, and dem americans r fully inna dem tings.But i have faith that he will prevail. i mean who knows im hearing he is supposed to have his own label under DDMG so he might have a bigger plan to bring the righteous movement through. And bring all of Jah’s messengers through with black upliftment. As this is something i feel we need. i mus go now otherwise i will be here forever. keep the faith
    blessed

  19. DIVINE KNOWLEDGE says:
    November 9, 2005 at 1:43 am

    GREETING SIZZLA

    JAH IS GOIN TA PROTECT YOU AND GUIDE YOU ON THIS DRAMATIC MOVE.
    I HOPE YOU REALLY GOT CONFIRMATION FROM JAH BEFORE MAKE THIS MOVE CUZ YOU KNOW THAT DEM BABYLONIANS WANT TO BRING DOWN THE RIGHTOUS AND USE YOUR TALENT FOR THEIR OWN GAIN JUST AS YOU SAID ON “KING OF THE JUNGLE” TRACK “TO DIVIDE AND RULE
    IS THERE WHOLE PLAN…”
    JAH RASTAFARI!
    EMPRESS SHANTELL

  20. Anonymous says:
    November 12, 2005 at 4:45 pm

    money runs these decisions, if artists want to spread there messages to infinite people this is the only way creited artists can do it, better for sizzla, now the ball is in his court on how he presents or should i say market himself now,NATURAL AND TRUE TO YOURSELF NATTY, PRECEPTS RIP CURLZ

  21. Anonymous says:
    November 15, 2005 at 12:05 pm

    I’m hurt, damon of all people. Nothing is sacred We all have a level in which we can be breeched…dayum…Now Sizzla is with the Beast…Like he said ” babylon your mental chains break, computer chip beware of it”..I guess the matrix has him now…Chant for him.

  22. Anonymous says:
    November 18, 2005 at 7:23 am

    In response to the Damian Jr Gong Marley album Welcome To Jamrock it is the album of the year, Stephen Marley though is the reason that this album sounds so good, his production skills is what makes Damian Jr Gong Marley sound so good and this album so diverse.

  23. Anonymous says:
    December 6, 2005 at 5:38 am

    Sizzla Kalongi is the greatest by far. As a big fan for years I wish him all the best

  24. Anonymous says:
    December 9, 2005 at 8:37 am

    in response to what someone already said. it’s true that dame has had absolutely no success without jay-z, and i don’t think things will change unless dame goes back to roc-a-fella. with sizzla signing to DDMG, i think he will do his thing regardless, his fans will still support him and follow his music no matter what label he is signed to. sizzla is a smart artist, i think with him signing to DDMG there is some logic behind it. he’s not going to just sign to a label just to sign to the first major label that gives him a chance. he’s got some reasoning behind it. i’m just curious to see how the first album is gonna come out….

  25. Anonymous says:
    December 19, 2005 at 11:31 am

    Sizzla is “most prolific” reggae
    artist but how many CDs has he
    sold? Anybody knows, please post.

  26. Anonymous says:
    December 29, 2005 at 10:47 am

    HAIL UP TO ALL DE GHETTO PEOPLE DEM FIRST OF ALL. JAH BLESS.

    WELL I MAN THINK SIZZLA KALONGI IS THE KING OF REGGAE MUSIC RIGHT NOW, WITHOUT A DOUT. YOU CAPLETON BEING THE PROPTHET, ANTHONY B BEING THE BLEESED HIGH PRIEST IN THE INDUSTRY, ALONG WITH LIKES LIKE LUCIANO THE MESSENJAH,WITH DE CHAMPION BUJU BANTON AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. LISTIN GROWING UP IN THE GHETTO AS A BOBO YOUTH SIZZLA SEE MAN THROUGH NUFF STRUGGLES THROUGH DE MUSIC. YOU CAH DIS DE MAN. ONLY JAH CAN JUDGE DE MAN. ME HEAR SOME PEOPLE AH TALK FUCKRY BOUT SIZZLA DI AND SIZZLA THAT. YO SIZZLA KALONGI AH DE KING. PERSONAL I MAN HAVE 27 OF THE MAN STUDIO ALBUMS WITH COUNTLESS OF 7” AND DOWLOADED MERTIRIAL, FROM -BURING UP TO BOBO ASHANTI, BE I STRONG TO SOUL DEEP. DE MAN IS A HIGHLY BLESSED YOUTH. YO IS LIKE DEM SAY YOU KNOW,DEM LIKE YOU WHEN DEH PON DI TOP YOU KNOW, IS LIKE DEM WAH SEE YOU FLAP, YOU KNOW DEM WAH SEE YOU DAH PON SIDE CORN SO DEM CAN SKIN DEM TEETH AND LAUGH, BURN THAT. RISE TO THE OCCASSION KALONGI,YOU SEE WAH ME AH SAY, YOU PLENTY MOUTHS FI FEED, NEVER MIND DEM ENVY AND GREED. SOME SAY SIZZLA GET TO EXPLICIT AND THING, YO IS NOT EXPLICIT, SEE NUFF AH DEM PEOPLE NA KNOW BOUT DE REAL LIVITY, AH JUST WORDS USED TO EXPRESS ONE’S SELF, SEE ME. AH YO A WOMAN ME LOVE, SO ME GO PUMP UP DEM PUM PUM, AH REALITY THAT MAN. ME NAH LIKE BATTY BWAY SO ME AH DUN DEM, BETTER DEM THAN DE INOCENT ONES DEM SEE WAH ME SEH.AH AMMAGEDDEON TIMEZ DIS YOU KNOW MI IDRENZ AND SISTENZ. YO LOVE ALL AH KALONGI WORK DEM SECOND ONLY TO THE LEGEND BROTHER BOB MARLEY. E-MAIL ME AT {ROOTZSEED@AOL.COM} IF YOU SEH SOME THING. REMEMBER JUDGE NOT LEASE YE BE JUDGE. LET DE I LIVE MAN. BLESSED LOVE KALONGI. RAS LEVI AH TALK. BLESS KING SELASSIE, QUEEN OMEGA AH DE MOTHER AH DE EARTH.WORD-SOUND-POWER.AFREECA FI DE AFREECIANZ AT HOME AND ABBROARD.

    OH BYE THE WAY ME NEVER LIKE HOW DEM DID AH DEAL WITH KALONGI AT DE BET ULTIMATE HUSTLER FINALY. DEM NEVER GIVE DE MAN AH CHANCE FI CHANT AND DEM NEVER DID AH APPLOGIZE BUT YOU LIVE AND YOU LEARN. BLESSED-RAS LEVI

  27. Empress Inferno says:
    January 18, 2006 at 4:45 pm

    Blessed Love & Greetings to all of Jah’s Children… I too am concerned for Kalonji, because I know the entertainment business only too well, they try to devour your soul and use you to devour the souls of others when you have that kind of influence. They don’t want liberation music, they want degradation music. I hope Kalonji can stand firm against the temptations of babylon, the most gifted are always the most tested, they know if they destroy the strongest it will be easier to overcome the weakest. Rasta Should Be Deeper and stay that way.

    Empress Inferno

  28. marcus says:
    February 11, 2006 at 11:56 am

    sizzla sings for the people, he has in his songs been able to direct my life in a rightous way.
    Mixing sizzla with Dame? well i know sizzla does wornders no matter what riddim he is on butb i know putting in some hiphop might put me and others off i have follwed sizzla for long and i wouldnt like my icon to be put down like that, lte sizzla be.

  29. Anonymous says:
    February 11, 2006 at 11:58 am

    sizzla sings for the people, he has in his songs been able to direct my life in a rightous way.
    Mixing sizzla with Dame? well i know sizzla does wornders no matter what riddim he is on butb i know putting in some hiphop might put me and others off i have follwed sizzla for long and i wouldnt like my icon to be put down like that, lte sizzla be.
    MARCUS FOR ZAMBIA(simi316@ yahoo.com)

  30. ras tinto(zimbabwe) says:
    April 18, 2006 at 7:16 am

    l hope he doesn’t go astray with Damion dash coz it may kill his music too muck swearing.old sizzla was good all is good keep on bus to taking over.

  31. ras tinto(zimbabwe) says:
    April 18, 2006 at 7:17 am

    l hope he doesn’t go astray with Damion dash coz it may kill his music too muck swearing.old sizzla was good all is good keep on bus to taking over.

  32. Ithiopian-star says:
    July 28, 2006 at 12:38 pm

    Whooaw whooaw.yaw… yaw…first fi mi say, his majesty Jah-Rast guides him stars to the right way…so mi nah aggwa haffi shoot nah blood claat negativety words towards di first reggae child(Sizzla ye bekur lij)..
    and also as a rast youth, i and i say even di babylon him ah go deal with still holds million’s ofus, roylas!***as holy Emmanuelite do say***…this is truely overstanding what happen seen?…Sizzla now is our Rastafrian ambasdor in babylon!!!…”‘Repatriation is a must'”-Kalonji…blessings to all black stars!

  33. Anonymous says:
    August 1, 2006 at 12:25 am

    Tenaystlin besme Esrael amlack
    Who Jah Bless No one curse, be focused,know your foot steps don’t walk nothing more nothing less than your foot size.Abatachen is alway with you remeber Ethiopa today and tomorrow for ever.

    Selah

  34. rss tinto says:
    August 8, 2006 at 5:06 am

    bomdocllat babylon don’t like you get outta de way straight up fi real

  35. blazer says:
    September 29, 2006 at 4:00 am

    Stop all the negativity towards I&I reggae king, this is all due to his plan of taking babylon systems over, like his album says Rastaman we taking over, so in any which way how. Who jah bless no man curse, fire burn all wicked and negative thoughts, Blaze up the scene by brotha,keep it real

  36. Costain Dean Beven says:
    February 5, 2007 at 1:21 am

    all this negative talk about sizzla is a waste of time. marley said “everyman has a right to decide his own destiny”. if sizzla has decided to go his own way out of Rastafari thats his problem but if this signing move is for the betterment of i and i people of colour then go for it. You got to be strong and conscious of these things, sizzla. many rasta people have gone astray because of stardom and bullshit fame. i hope you and trust you will stand true and never mislead some of us who have been listening to you music since the time you started. Blessed love

  37. NubianQueen says:
    February 13, 2007 at 1:11 pm

    yo sizzla overstanding album is a shit cause damon dash make he lose he fight 4 da ghetto youths n poverty n politicians oh jah wah dada make babylon tie up he head who gonna take us through da hard times i used 2 see sizzla as a man of class da mordern day marley but ah mean compare dem videos of thank u mama and ultimate hustler from standin on stones wit tribal colours 2 sittin in a chair in jeans wit a gyal inna ah weave thrown money at u come on dada wah dat bout hmmmmm n he tourin n he nah even come down inna da caribbean 2 bless us n we da had him through lock up n evryting jah lead dada make 2 mount zion

  38. KEYREN DZIB says:
    June 11, 2007 at 8:39 pm

    GREETINGS,NUFF LOVE TO ALL MY GHETTO YOUTHS AND ALL DI RASTA LEVITY! WELL, I UNDERSTAND HOW THE FANS FEEL ABOUT ALL DEM RUBBISH AND NEGATIVITY TRYING TO TAKE OVER OUR PURE BLACKNESS AND ONE-NESS WITH THE ULTIMATELY LOVED SIZZLA_KALONJI. TO EACH COMMENT MADE, A POINT SURFACES.IT’S TRUE SIZZLA,SOME OF YOUR LYRICS ARE INDEED EXPLICIT,I MEAN I SEE THE REALITY IN EACH OF YOUR SONGS, BUT YOU, BEING THE PROLIFIC AND CONSCIOUS ARTIST THAT YOU ARE CAN REVISE YOUR WAY OF EXPRESSING YOUR DISCONTEMPT FOR THE WICKED SYSTEM OF THINGS OF THIS TIME!COME ON MY BRETHREN…WHEN YOU HOLD THAT MIC, AND START CHANTING, YOU ARE NOT ONLY REPRESENTING YOU, BUT YOU ARE REPRESENTING US, GIVING A VOICE TO ALL BLACK PEOPLE WHO STAND BY YOU IN STRENGTH AND STRONG HOLD, AND YOU REPRESENT JAH JAH’S MESSAGE OF PURITY AND INDEFINITE LOVE. NOW WE LOVE YOU, AND WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE A WISE MAN. I HOPE THAT THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE REFLECT WHAT YOU ARE IN THE END CAZ IF WE LOSE YOU, WE LOSE THE HOPE WE’VE HAD SINCE THE TIME YOU BECAME SIZZLA.SO MAY JAH BLESS YOU EVERYTIME, SO THAT NO MAN CURSE YOU!!!ONE LOVE ALL THE TIME
    ~Blessed_Empress

  39. Anonymous says:
    May 25, 2008 at 9:27 am

    I think you are it you are the next Sizza. I love your lyrics thank you. How about some afrocuban and brazilian regge it will be a hit.

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