With a musical career spanning three decades, reggae and dancehall icon Sizzla will celebrate his illustrious run on October 19 with a mega concert at Sabina Park.

Promising an evening of epic proportions, the seasoned entertainer says this Heroes Weekend will go down in history as he takes the stage, heart in hand, to gift his fans.

“Sizzla always performs from the heart. Music, for me, is about love and passion. So the energy that I’ll deliver to a crowd of 70,000 people is the same energy that I’ll deliver to a crowd of a thousand people or a hundred,” he told the Sunday Observer. Indicating that the work for him has not ceased over his 30 years in the industry, Sizzla said he has honed his craft completely and that ‘Rise to the Occasion’ — as the show has been duly titled — will be a masterful display of his musical growth.

“Sizzla never stops working. There are simple formulas that I have honed over the years and I can tell you confidently that the show will be an atmosphere of love, joy, fun, happiness, and a genuinely good time,” he said. “It’s a live band show, with people celebrating three decades of spiritual enlightenment through the consciousness of reggae music. It’s going to be a festive environment where you can support the artisans in the ‘Da Real Ting’ artisan village and enjoy good food and listen to world-class music. This show was intentionally curated and it’s gonna be a vibe!”

Sizzla says he is particularly excited about delivering a show alongside musical brothers from his backing band. He shared that rehearsals have been ongoing and that the band will take his set to unmatched levels.

“Communication, building a good relationship with the band is important; the band is like a second family. We’re there for each other, helping out in situations that are not related to the show. This helps to build synergy,” he said. “With a live band there is a more spiritual connection to the audience. They are seeing the music being played with the instruments before their very eyes. This is the time when the people are more connected to the music because they’re not just listening to the artiste and his performance, but they’re now looking and observing an entire band.”

In addition to a live band, Rise to the Occasion will see several guest performances from the likes of I Wayne, Jesse Royal, Andrew Tosh, Christopher Martin, Iba Mahr, T’Jean, Spragga Benz, Turbulence, Fantan Mojah,Ninja Kid, and others. Sizzla says getting his colleagues on board was an easy task as support comes naturally for like-minded entertainers.

“Music is a family; we’re like brothers and sisters from different parents. So supporting each other and showing up for each other is most naturally a part of the music,” he said. “We respect each other, we look to each other, and we support each other, because it’s not always easy being an artiste, and who better to understand you than someone who has undergone the challenges and difficulties in the industry.”

Sizzla salutes a packed crowd inside Kamila’s Kitchen on Harbour Street in downtown Kingston at the artiste’s media launch for his October 19 concert, Rise to the Occasion. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Thirty-year career veteran Sizzla (centre) signs autographs at the launch event for his upcoming concert. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)