I won’t condemn Mugabe: Sizzla
by
13/01/2011 00:00:00
REGGAE star Sizzla Kalonji has insisted that he will not condemn the President Robert Mugabe and describes the veteran Zimbabwean leader as one of the ‘fathers of Africa’.
The Dry Cry hit-maker spent much of 2010 in Zimbabwe, first arriving in the country in the early part of the year to perform at celebrations marking Mugabe’s birthday causing anger amongst many of the Mugabe’s critics, who felt that Sizzla was wrong to align himself with the man that many deem a dictator.
“I see him as one of my fathers from Africa,” Sizzla says of Mugabe. “He’s part of my nation, the black nation. In all that he’s done – whether it’s good or bad – I hope and pray that it’s for the betterment of the people.”
Mugabe has attracted international opprobrium – particularly in the West – over his empowerment programmes which included the much-criticised land reforms and, lately, the requirement that all foreign-owned companies must localise at least 51 percent of their shareholding.
WHILE Sizzla doesn’t call himself a Mugabe supporter, it’s clear that the Jamaican star supports the President’s supposed desire for black emancipation and empowerment.
But with reports last year claiming that the star had been given land in Zimbabwe by the country’s government caused many to believe that Sizzla was in allegiance with the President.
"Honestly, the government didn’t give me land,” Sizzla explains. “For me, going to Africa isn’t just about going to claim land. It was citizens of Zimbabwe that offered me land – they were like, ‘Sizzla, welcome home. Make use of this land.’
“And I think it’s important that we do that. Zimbabwe is beautiful but it does need a lot of help and that requires people to get involved with farming and also to build on the land to keep the country beautiful and prosperous for future generations.
“[Mugabe] is the ruler right now and he’s an elder to me, so I’m not going to discriminate the president. I believe in repatriation and he must know what is best to make his country a better place. I just hope he continues to do what he believes is best for the people.”
The Jamaican star is effusive about his love for Zimbabwe and the rest of the continent.
“Zimbabwe is beautiful, man. I want the world to see how beautiful all of Africa is. When I see some of the buildings and the designs and the architecture there is in Africa, it excites me to think of the beautiful future the continent could have.”
Sizzla’s passion for the motherland suggested that he plans to make his future stay in Zimbabwe a more permanent one.
“Africa is my home. Jamaica is beautiful but you only have to look at our history to know that black people are from Africa. It’s only because of slavery and of course migration that we’ve ended up all over the world,” he says.
“But our ancestral roots lie in Africa. So it’s important to me to tell the people of the world about Africa and also to spend time in the Motherland.”
Labels: REGGAE, SIZZLA
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Sizzla gets farm, settles in Zim
by
06/05/2010 00:00:00
REGGAE superstar Sizzla Kalonji has ditched his native Jamaica and relocated to Zimbabwe after being rewarded with a farm for performing at President Robert Mugabe's 86th birthday celebrations in February. “I am here to stay,” Sizzla told the state-owned Sunday Mail weekly newspaper. “Zimbabwe is home. I have received tremendous welcome.”
His spokesperson Olimatta Taal confirmed that rather than pay the artist in cash for performing at President Mugabe’s birthday bash Zanu-PF handed the Jamaican a farm located close to the town of Chegutu.
"Instead of giving him cash (for his performance) they gave him land. It is very honourable that he would take land instead of cash," Taal is reported as saying.
“He is in Zimbabwe because he loves Africa. He isn’t pro-Mugabe or anti-Mugabe, but he respects Mugabe as a leader.”
State-owned local media was quick to extol the development with the Sunday Mail declaring that the artist "was the latest and most important visitor to be swayed by the infectious Zimbabwean touch".
Olimatta Taal also said Sizzla’s Zimbabwe move had nothing to do with allegations that he was on the run from Jamaican authorities for gun crimes allegedly committed less than a month before President Mugabe's party.
"He (Sizzla) laughed when he heard the allegations," Olimatta Taal said. "He doesn't take it to heart."
A Jamaican online publication said the singer – born Miguel Orlando Collins – was arrested by police in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, on 29 January in connection with a shooting incident. He was released a day later when witnesses did not come forward.
A police spokesman said then that investigations were ongoing and suggested Sizzla "could be detained in the future, if the need arises".
Meanwhile Sizzla, 34, has been quite effusive in his praise for President Mugabe urging the veteran leader to "champion the cause of the return of the African people from the gates of hell they are living in Jamaica and the Caribbean."
"I think he's a good president, kind to his nation, just and true," Sizzla said of Mr Mugabe last month.
The Sunday Mail also stated that Kalonji had since been granted with a work permit and was working to consolidate business enterprises he has established locally to complement his singing profession.
“In Zimbabwe we have already started recording. I am also looking into areas Judgement Yard (his company) can invest in for the upliftment of Zimbabwean youths,” Sizzla said.
The singer said he plans to set up agro-industries on his farm to help local youths under his Jamaican social responsibility banner and has also made enquiries about investing in the local textile sector.
Kalonji has since set up a recording studio in the plush northern Harare suburb of Borrowdale where resides and is working with local reggae groups such as Transit Crew to put together his debut album on Zimbabwean soil.
Labels: ENTERTAINMENT, SIZZLA
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Jamaican star raves about Zimbabwe
Rise up Zimbabwe ... Jamaican reggae star Red Rat
by Showbiz Reporter
27/04/2010 00:00:00
Sizzla headlines Mugabe celebrations
REGGAE star Red Rat rhymes “vasikana call me”, “Zimbabwe queens are mi African darlings” and urges Zimbabweans to “look to the prize and rise” in a new song which emphasises the country’s growing influence on Jamaican music.
Zimbabwean producer and dancehall artist Jusa Dementor worked with Red Rat on the song Rise Up – released last week to coincide with the country’s 30th independence from racist white colonial rule.
On it, Red Rat raves about the Victoria Falls and Borrowdale while promising that people will “stomp on the ground” when he visits Mbare and “rocation”.
Jusa said: “As Red Rat said, its time for Zimbabwe to rise up. There are so many talented youths in Zimbabwe that need a small break and a chance to be heard.
“As ABRA Records, we hope to provide that platform while based in the Diaspora and utilise the connections we have made through our brand to export Zimbabwe's Urban talent. We hope Red Rat will be able to visit our beautiful nation, see all its natural wonders and meet up with our warm hearted people in the near future.”
Red Rat, who shot to fame with hits like Shelly Anne, Dwayne, Tight Up Skirt and his trademark cry ‘Ooooh-No!’, follows in the footsteps of the legendary Jamaican stars Bob Marley and Sizzla who both recorded tracks dedicated to Zimbabwe.
(For more details visit: www.jusaonline.com and www.redrat.com)
RED RAT: RISE UP (YOUTUBE)
SIZZLA: ZIMBABWE
Meanwhile another Zimbabwean producer Sanii Makhalima has put out his own sizzling independence song featuring Cindy, Trevor Dongo, Tawanda and Leonard Mapfumo.
The catchy track is a phenomenal vocal masterpiece with lyrics delivered in English and Shona.
Also: Amina Kadeya vs Air Horn Dance Intro. RISE UP ZIMBABWE Thanxs to the A..B.R.A TRIBE - MrK
Labels: INDEPENDENCE, SIZZLA
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