Sizzla

Reggae/dancehall recording artist Sizzla releases his recent record Jah Knows Best in the midst of hate-speech backlashes against dancehall artists and a gang feud in his neighbourhood of Judgement Yard in August Town, Kingston, Jamaica. You would think that this record is either one of the most frightening records or one of the most enlightening reggae records of the 21st century. However, the rhythms seem slapped together to fit the rusty, off-key singing belted out by Sizzla. He’s on point, as always, when it comes to delivering his rough flow of Jah-conscious lyrics. "Real People” challenges the violent imagery of Jamaica’s ghettos, separating the real people from those who "go around killing others and steal things.” The musically curious will want to check out a mediocre cover of "Subterranean Homesick Blues,” which also appears on the Dylan reggae tribute album, Is It Rolling Bob? In the end, it doesn’t matter how talented, influential or controversial you are, if you can’t sing no one is going to listen to your music.