Sizzla

Included in a stellar line-up of entertainers that includes the likes of Mavado, Destra and Popcaan, reggae singer Sizzla wants to draw fans closer to his music when he performs tomorrow at the Sir Arthur Guinness Day Concert set for the National Indoor Sports Centre.

The concert is one of many global events set for the day marking the birthday of the man who founded Guinness more than 250 years ago.

Sizzla says his talents will be on display at the concert because he believes in what Guinness is trying to do to help people.

"They had asked me to give of my talent musically, and they are now doing some community projects with people in the communities and that is good progress towards helping people, because people of dancehall and reggae have been supporting Guinness over the years," he said.

This is why the artiste, who is described as one of the most prolific of all time having released about 65 albums during the last 12 years, wants to make the event a memorable one for the audience.

energetic performance

"Yes, an up-close, personal and energetic performance to make the atmosphere pleasant with reggae music," he said. "I think I'm special to the fans as an artiste of their likeness being there with a very professional band and harmony singers. We would like for our performance to be great as to please the audience, and we leave all things in the hands of Jah," said the man who has been a devout Rastafarian all his life.

The 36-year-old entertainer, born Miguel Collins, thinks the line-up is a good one, which will bring good-quality entertainment to the thousands expected to show up for the concert which this year will also be used to celebrate the lives of those Jamaicans who have dedicated themselves to the service of others.

"Yes, it's good, I should say," he said of the line-up. "I'm not here to judge anyone but to perform my duties and unite our people, and if there is a shortcoming in someone, it's for that person to look and learn and make themselves better. In the Caribbean, we are so blessed with the talents of the youths and there are different genres of music, not for us to separate, but to amalgamate cultural talents and make the people happy with our work. And if we are humble enough, we can learn from each other."

He hailed Guinness for its efforts, saying that its work should be lauded if it is doing it "in truth for the people".