Ebuzz News
Archived: One on One With Sizzla- Artiste Says Lyrics Are Words and Words Have Power!
Jamaican reggae artiste, Sizzla Kolonji made his presence felt in Trinidad on the weekend, performing on Independence Night at the Hasley Crawford Stadium’s training grounds to a massive crowd who had anticipated his show and certainly the performances of other sensational acts like Richie Spice and Louis Culture among others. Billed to be a part of the cast, Anthony B was unable to make it to T&T, due to what he said were unforeseen circumstances. Promoters made up for his no show- asking patrons to look to the large screens erected on both sides of the stage where a message from the artiste himself would quell any disappointment. He would subsequently introduce Louis Culture whose cadre of reggae hit singles would keep the crowd of peace-loving nationals singing along, whistling and raising their hands in agreement to the lyrics. One day prior to the concert, in a chat with ETCETERABUZZ.COM, Sizzla himself had said that words are indeed powerful when quizzed on the power of musical lyrics and the mind.
Sizzla Kolonji impressed the audience with his barrage of hits.
“Everyone was born free and equal and we use music as a medium through which we can express ourselves. We were all created with the power of the most high- with the vibrations… positive, negative, heat, air and water, sun, moon and stars, land, sky and sea so you’re always gonna have kids in that vibration going to and fro because that’s just life, but then again we tend to gravitate towards stuff that we get a lot of influence from and normally people gravitate more to the negative,” said Sizzla. He told us that he feels this is so because of society, highlighting the breakdown of the family, the absence of fathers and bad parenting.
Frank with his words, Sizzla said music is used to express oneself, and added that music should not be used just for the purpose of making money. He said music should be about revealing messages and he called for more social commentary so that doors can be opened for the youths and they can be influenced more positively. He said if the youths are taught about the ropes of the music industry and how music is used to earn an income, they can benefit from being a part of varying facets of the industry, instead of simply sitting and listening to music.
Louis Culture’s melodies seemed timeless.
Hardcore dancehall acts like Jamaica’s Vybz Kartel, Tommy Lee and even old schooler, Bounty Killa have over the years come in for crude criticism over the quality of the lyrics they pen and sing. We asked Sizzla about the power of such lyrics on the minds of young people and whether or not he feels such lyrics are harmful on the psyche of the young and impressionable. He said yes. “I would say yes because in the beginning was the word and the word was Jah and the word take unto itself, flesh. As an artiste, I personally have made a lot of dancehall songs. I’ve made a lot of intimate songs and raggamuffin songs but in the aspect of just giving the people music to have good vibrations with an uptempo beat but then again we just got to be careful with our words because we need that proper choice of words and despite the fact that we may have a lot of kids with consent going out and having fun, you must always remember that the parents rule.”
Richie Spice blessed the crowd and T&T with prayer as he walked onto the stage.
He continued, “You were born and bred beneath the roof of your parents and you must have respect for your parents and I don’t think any parent would want their kid to go out there carelessly and succumb to any kind of negative things. We need to be focused. There’s a time and a place for everything but then again, sex sells in the industry so sometimes you have artistes coming out with conscious songs and they’re not getting that good vibration so they won’t make that money to make that living so they tend to make a detour and go on the other side but you just got to know what you want and what you believe in and just maintain that root. You got to play good songs for the kids and be positive,” he said.
Marlon Asher excited the crowd on Saturday with new and old songs.
On Saturday night in Trinidad, positive vibrations swept through Port-of-Spain. The message was love. From the local entertainers on the cast, among them Marlon Asher, Jamelody, Mr. King, Prophet Benjamin and Isasha to Jamaica’s Louis Culture, Terri Ganzi, Richie Spice and Sizzla Kolonji, the peacefulness of a T&T that seemed to once be, emanated. Most of the artistes walked onto the stage, starting their performances with biblical verses, blessing the crowd and the country and certainly honoring Trinidad and Tobago on its 51st Independence Day. By the end of the night, many could be heard saying it was the best they had experienced in quite a long time. Some could even be heard saying, “if only there was more of this music on radio, things would be different.”
Promoters of the event have assured that the Good Life Music Festival will be an annual staple to the entertainment calendar, with the concert carded for the last Saturday in August, each year.
Ebuzz News
Kymani Marley Set to Release Anticipated New Album, on August 28th. Latest Single, “A Little Bit,” Delves Deep.
Ky-Mani Marley returns with “A Little Bit (I’m Okay),” the fourth and final single ahead of his highly anticipated new album, Love and Energy, which is slated for an August 28th release, and available to pre-save now on all digital platforms via his Konfrontation Muziklabel in partnership with New York-based DubShot Records.
Written by Ky-Mani, his daughter Imani Marley, and longtime collaborator Shaquel Leon, “A Little Bit (I’m Okay)” turns a deeply personal chapter in Marley’s life into an honest reflection on mistakes, uncertainty, resilience and ultimately, acceptance. Rather than pretending everything is perfect, Ky-Mani lands somewhere more real: life can take you down roads you never expected, force you to question yourself and leave you carrying lessons you never asked for — and you can still come through it able to say, I’m okay.
“A Little Bit (I’m Okay)” became a crowd favorite during the European leg of Ky-Mani’s recent Love and Energy summer tour. A live video for the song, which premiered on his YouTube channel, captures an intimate performance filmed at the Toulouse Rio Loco Festival in France this past June, alongside behind-the-scenes footage from the road.
Built around a classic one-drop reggae rhythm and the distinctive cry of pedal steel guitar from musician Tal Morris, the track was produced by Ky-Mani Marley, Anthony Smith, and Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown. Ky-Mani opens the song with a vulnerable look at the roads that shaped him. “I’ve been walking roads with no clear signs, trying to read between the wrong and the right lines. I took some turns I didn’t plan, just trying to figure out who I am– made some mistakes I can’t erase, but that’s alright.”
For Marley, the message is not about having life completely figured out. It is about making peace with the journey. “‘A Little Bit (I’m Okay)’ came from a real place in my life,” he said, adding, “I was going through some things, questioning things, looking at choices I made and roads I had taken. Sometimes life doesn’t go the way you planned, and you don’t always have all the answers. But you learn, you grow and you keep moving. For me, being able to say ‘I’m okay’ doesn’t mean everything is perfect – it means I’ve made peace with where I’ve been and I’m grateful for where I am. That feeling runs through Love and Energy. This album is probably one of the most honest reflections of where I am today,”
That sentiment sits at the heart of Love and Energy, a 14-song collection accompanied by two spoken-word reflections, marking Ky-Mani’s first solo studio album in more than a decade. Throughout the project, Marley explores the experiences, relationships, struggles and growth that have shaped both the artiste and the man he is today, while staying rooted in the reggae foundation that has defined his musical journey.
Caribbean Buzz
Times Square, New York, The Place to Be for Caribbean Culture on August 30th.
On August 30th, a major Caribbean event is popping off in the heart of New York. Tropicalfete Inc. is at it again, delivering its 5th annual Caribbean Pop-Up Carnival in Times Square, New York. That’s big deal!
The free, family-friendly event will transform the place that’s often dubbed, the Crossroads of the World, into a vibrant showcase of Caribbean music, dance, and artistic expression. On August 30th, it kicks off at 1pm along Broadway, between W46th and W47th streets. TropicalFete says those coming out are encouraged to wear carnival costumes, wave their national flags, and “celebrate the rich diversity of Caribbean culture.”
The event will be hosted by Vibes Man Redman and Katherine Charles, and will feature an exciting lineup of acclaimed performers, headlined by legendary Billboard chart-topping soca artiste, Rupee.
Rupee made history in late 2004 as the first Barbadian-born artiste, and one of just two soca acts, to reach the Billboard Hot 100 with his global hit, “Tempted to Touch,”which was later Certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Rupee’s catalogue of soca anthems also includes “Jump,” which has won Road March titles (the song judged to be most popular) at Caribbean carnivals in Boston, Brooklyn, Miami, Toronto, and at Barbados’ Cropover.
The artiste will be honored at the Tropicalfete Pop-Up Carnival by city and state officials for his contributions to Caribbean culture through music and his courageous advocacy for HIV/AIDS awareness. During the event, Rupee will receive a Mayoral Certificate of Recognition from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office. He will also be awarded a Proclamation on behalf of the New York City Council. Additionally, New York State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Roxanne Persaud will present him with a State Proclamation, while Assembly Member Brian Cunningham will recognize him with a New York State Assembly Proclamation.
Tropicalfete’s Pop-Up Carnival’s non-stop entertainment schedule will also include a performance by Mapy, “The Violin Queen.” Born on Réunion Island, raised in Paris and now based in Brooklyn, Mapy delivers electrifying performances that blend classical violin with Caribbean rhythms and hip-hop beats. Her impressive resume includes performances at the Grammy Awards, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the St. Kitts Music Festival.
Carnival masquerade traditions from all over the Caribbean representing traditional, folkloric, ole (satirical), and pretty mas will also be highlighted.
Tropicalfete Steel Pan Ensemble comes to light up Times Square with an unforgettable set of high-energy. The ensemble will be joining forces with Soca superstar Rupee performing together with one of his songs Give Thanks which is a special treat for the audience. Tropicalfete Stilting Unit and Mas will also be bringing the color, movement, culture, and excitement of Carnival to the heart of New York City.
Attendees can also look forward to a high-energy soca fitness workout with Mandy and a performance by the dynamic rythem Section – Riddim Explosion. DJ Patrick and DJ Eric will provide the recorded musical selections.
The Caribbean Pop-Up Carnival has become one of Tropicalfete’s signature cultural events, attracting thousands of residents, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts each year. Through music, dance, and interactive performances, the event celebrates Caribbean heritage while promoting education and community engagement.
“Tropicalfete’s Caribbean Pop-Up Carnival continues to unite communities by bringing the energy, creativity, and traditions of the Caribbean directly into the heart of New York City,” said Alton Aimable, Executive Director of Tropicalfete. “As we celebrate our fifth year, we invite everyone to experience the sights, sounds, and spirit of Carnival while embracing the diversity that makes our city so unique.
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