Reggae/dancehall legend Sizzla Kalonji is gearing up to make a triumphant return to the United States, after having his U.S. visa reinstated.
In a post on Instagram, the iconic Jamaican artist announced that he has been granted the opportunity to grace the American stage once again, thanks to the relentless efforts of his dedicated management team.
“The Artist has not performed in the country for a number of years due to Visa restrictions, but he was recently granted the opportunity with the help of his management team. The US is one of the larger markets that welcomed his crossover endeavours,” the post said.
His U.S. work visa was last revoked in 2019. That same year, he was removed from the lineup of the annual reggae festival in California, Reggae on the River, because “he’s repeatedly singing about shooting gays in the head,” according to California newspaper Times Standard.
Despite not touring in the United States, Sizzla has been to other countries, including Japan in 2023.
His Instagram post said the artiste has also kept busy “building Judgment Yard in August Town, St. Catherine, and connecting with many Artists including Burna Boy, Chance The Rapper, Bounty Killa, and many others locally and internationally.”
First show announced
The artiste also announced his first show in the United States in over five years. He will perform at the Boston Dancehall Reggae Fest on August 10.
“Spearheaded by Lion Production Group, concertgoers will be singing along to Kalonji’s many hits, welcoming an energy that has been missing for quite some time. Boston Dancehall Reggae Fest is a concert series that has been held for a number of years, and various heavyweights have graced the stage with unforgettable performances,” he said.
