Sizzla gracious as PM says artiste inspired him

Iconic reggae performer Sizzla expressed gratitude as he responded to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, who credited his music as an inspiration for his decision to lead.

"That's really great coming from the prime minister himself," Sizzla said at the media launch of Rise to the Occasion: Celebrating 30 Years of Sizzla Kalonji. "Having the prime minister at this 30-year celebration of Sizzla and the music is just awesome, just splendid. It goes to show that you Jamaican kids can do so much more to inspire the world."

Holness saluted Sizzla at the event, sharing that the August Town native's popular hit Rise to the Occasion served as a motivation for him to step into leadership. Speaking of his first interaction with the artiste at a Reggae Sumfest staging many years ago, Holness addressed the audience inside Kamila's Kitchen in Kingston.

"I got the privilege to go backstage and I managed to make my way through his entourage to reach to him and I shook his hand, [but] at the time he didn't know who I was. He was very humble, very respectful, and there I was, a fan, meeting someone who I admire and who I have great respect for," Holness said.

"Fast forward to 2011, I had a big decision to make in my life and one morning I was contemplating and this song came on [saying] ' Rise to the occasion, look at yourself and say you're strong' and more than that, ' no one can stop you,'" Holness shared as the audience joined in.

"And that song was the inspiration for me to step forward and become [the] leader of my political party and eventually to become prime minister," Holness said.

Fayval Williams, minister of finance and the public service and member of parliament for St Andrew Eastern, which includes Sizzla's community of August Town, also spoke about the musician's impact. She highlighted his role as a constant source of strength for his community.

"Sizzla is an enduring figure in August Town and the surrounding communities," she told the crowd. "He is looked up to and contributes to the community in ways that you cannot imagine. So on behalf of all the residents in August Town, I want to say congratulations on 30 years. Thirty years in music doesn't come easy, and so we have to celebrate with you tonight."

Rise to the Occasion: Celebrating 30 Years of Sizzla Kalonji marks three decades of Sizzla's contribution to the music industry with a series of events, including a concert at Sabina Park in October. Sizzla, born Miguel Collins, was fired up when he spoke to THE WEEKEND STAR.

"I'm feeling really good about it," he said, moments after the celebration. "I really love and appreciate the people because it goes to show that the people love you, they respect you, and I just need to keep doing what I'm doing. Thank you very much for standing with Sizzla."

Even as he celebrates his legacy, Sizzla remains invested in the direction of Jamaican music. With trap-dancehall and Afrobeats surging in popularity, he struck a balanced tone when asked about the evolution of the genres.

"Our music in Jamaica is a music of love, passion, and inspiration," he reflected. "We've inspired a lot of youths to be in the music, and we've inspired a lot of other artistes from different countries with different genres. So I won't talk down on the present direction of the music, but I'm here to give my advice -- keep it clean and you will inherit in the future," he said.