Sizzla ‘blazes’ Khaled
MULTIPLE calls to Sizzla Kalonji’s cellphone went unanswered on Thursday after videos surfaced on social media with him destroying two plaques sent to him from American producer DJ Khaled’s team.
The plaques are in commemoration of Sizzla’s contribution to DJ Khaled’s platinum certification of his Grateful (2017) and Father of Asad (2019) albums.
In the videos, which were still on Sizzla’s official Instagram page up to press time, the entertainer dubbed the gesture a “diss” to him and the people of Jamaica, saying he could hardly see his name on the plaques.
Tearing the face of Khaled’s eldest son, Ashad, from the plaques, Sizzla declared: “Babies are innocent” before proceeding to throw gasoline on the rest of the material on the ground. Referring to the child as his God child, the deejay said he’d rather accept the photos of Khaled’s son as his plaques than the commemorative displays sent to him.
“Yuh insult me DJ Khaled. Yuh insult Jamaica. Babies are innocent. Ashad a di boss,” the deejay can be heard saying in a video.
The incident triggered scores of responses from fans and other industry players.
Producer Cordel “Skatta” Burrell condemned the act, citing that it has brought shame on the dancehall industry.
“As a featured artiste on a compilation album that went platinum, I understands how he feels, however, one must remember this is Khaled’s project he’s been doing for years and also has the biggest artiste in Hip Hop e.g. Jay Z, Drake, Kanye, Eminem, Future, Lil Wayne on this album. For any Dancehall artiste to be featured on this is something to be extremely proud of and celebrated. Until we as a people are able to market our music and show support for our own, we will forever be relying on others to lend that support,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I honestly think this album would still hit the platinum mark without that combination song wit the dancehall acts and Khaled did not need to record a single Jamaican on it, however his love and adoration for this culture that has been a major influence in his career is what drove him to visit this island.”
The producer further said that Sizzla may have very well sabotaged any future collaborations that Khaled might have had with other local acts.
“Dancehall/Reggae music needs bigger support, our artiste needs better work ethics and discipline, this is why Jamaica has so many talented artist that influences the entire world yet we continue to see little gains from the industry,” he said. “Afro Beat is taking over and Africa is now the major music capital of the world. Khaled def won’t be back after seeing shoe stomping on his face,” he continued.
Former TV personality Amelia “Milk” Sewell also bashed Sizzla for his actions.
“Am I watching Sizzla burn his platinum plaques that DJ Khaled sent him for his contribution to his two albums.. this is the heights of ignorance.. why are ppl like this ? I’m so embarrassed for the culture .. damn fool,” she tweeted on Thursday.
On the other hand, producer Foota Hype had a contrasting view, he responded in the affirmative to a fan who commented: “Remember u talk about DJ Khaled and the people dem call yuh bad mind???? Look ya now!!!”