Sizzla Says Burning DJ Khaled’s Plaques Was “Vanity…Vexation Of The Soul”
Reggae/Dancehall superstar Sizzla Kalonji has extended the olive branch to DJ Khaled after causing an uproar just over a month ago by burning two platinum plaques that the Palestinian-American producer mailed to him for his contribution on the Grateful (2017) and Father of Asad (2019) albums.
Kalonji, who spoke with a remorseful and introspective tone, hailed Khaled, as well as several of his compatriots, at a family fun day and bonfire spearheaded by the Charlemont Housing Scheme Youth Foundation in Linstead, St. Catherine on Saturday.
“Aidonia, big up yuhself…Ricky General an’ all ah mi artist bredda dem weh you’ve lost your child, yuh nuh? My condolence. Big up Buju Banton same way, big up Bounty Killer. Big up everyone. Big up yuhself DJ Khaled. Big up everyone ah mi platinum..ah suh it guh. Sizzla love bun fire. Vanity—vexation of di soul. Jus’ live in love. Praise di most high,” Sizzla said.
It was a completely different tune on December 8, when the Dry Cry singer angrily ripped the plaques to pieces and threw them into a fire.
“Yuh nuh di best; Yuh di worst! Weh yuh feel like DJ Khaled? Yuh cyaa style Sizzla? A mi buss yuh! August Town buss yuh,” he said at the time.
He had contributed to the two albums, collaborating on the Father of Ashad track Holy Mountain, which also featured Buju Banton, Mavado, and rapper 070 Shake, and singing the lead track I’m so Grateful on the Grateful album.
Buju Banton was also featured on the final track, Holy Ground on Father of Ashad, while singjay Mavado had Unchanging Love. Earlier this year, Khaled recruited Sizzla, Capleton , Buju Banton , Bounty Killer , and Skillibeng for These Streets Know My Name, which appeared on his album God Did.
Grateful was certified Platinum on August 23, 2017 and 2X Platinum earlier this year, while Father of Ashad was certified platinum on May 17, 2020.
However, the plaques being sent to him five and two years after their certification and his name written in small lettering was enough to make the Bobo Ashanti Rastafarian incensed.
“Weh yuh feel like? Wrong plaque yuh sen. Mi can’t even si mi name. An a now yuh a sen plaque come gi mi? Look how hard wi work. Joke yu a teck dis ting fah. Bun dat! Bun plaque. Serious yuh hear!” Sizzla ranted while burning the plaques at the August Town-based Judgement Yard.
Unlike Kalonji, Bounty Killer, Capleton and Buju Banton had made posts expressing their gratitude for their plaques.
But, it seems the Holding Firm singer has started the new year on a clean slate. He further extended warm regards to all Jamaicans across the world at the bonfire.
“Shabba Ranks big up yuhself. Fi all ah mi Jamaican artist an’ mi Jamaican families; poor people, rich people—you’re one people. Everybody ah one people. Si di fire deh! Jamaica, di Caribbean, di worl’…nice up di place. Happy New Year,” he said.
The singer’s mature move has come under scrutiny by some fans who are accusing him of being inconsistent.
“Nobody a take Sizzla serious because it seems like him confused,” said Clayton Hall.
Christopher Whyte added, “Sizzla a two sided sword”
“A beg Khalid friend now ee me see the style,” Jullian Lue said.