Of all musics of black origin, roots reggae and its various offshoots (inc. dancehall, ragga) - unlike say garage, hip hop or disco - have seldom crossed over into the western mainstream. Perhaps it's a case of "too black/too strong" and certainly that's true of Sizzla.
Sizzla is the closest modern Jamaican reggae has to a conventional (ahem) "star," a figurehead to serve as an in to outsiders - in the way Goldie did with jungle. Indeed they both emerged around the same time, the mid 90s, with the Jamaican star managing a far greater consistency of albums, including the mighty 'Praise Ye Jah'. Sizzla's a charismatic and outspoken Rastafarian, proclaiming devotion with his album and title track 'Rastafari Teach I Everything'.
His vocal delivery varies from a gentler reggae style to the frenetic ragga onslaught of 'Yes I Get High' with its "marijuana in my brain" intonations. It might be hard work for some listeners but can be both blissful and empowering given half a chance. Production comes via long time collaborator Philip 'Fatis' Burrell of Xterminator, a man who were he to live in America and produce Kelis or Missy would be as lauded as the Neptunes, Timbaland and co. But that reflects the isolation reggae and the harder dancehall ragga styles face in mainstream culture.
Indeed 'Better Make Sure' combines such killer 'California Love'-riffs with lilting '80s licks that, given mainstream exposure, Sizzla would surely be rolling with Jay-Z and co.
But what would that achieve? Sizzla is a hero to his Jamaican fans and the afro-Caribbean diaspora worldwide. What value system is it that makes black artists "good" or "successful" only if they roll with Puffy and chill with Missy? It's an artistically stifling one, that's what. Sizzla doesn't need their stamp of approval. And besides, strong roots albums like 'Rastafari…' have twice as much to say as Jay-Z et al. Puffy should come begging to Sizzla instead.
