Sizzla, along with reggae recording artists such as Capleton, Buju Banton, and Anthony B, are credited with leading a movement toward a re-embracement of Rastafarian values in contemporary reggae music by recording material which is concerned primarily with spirituality, social consciousness, explores common themes, such as Babylon's corrupting influence, the disenfranchisement of ghetto youth, oppression of the black nation and Sizzla's abiding faith in Jah and resistance against perceived agents of oppression. Sizzla has over 40 full completed albums sold in record stores to date, the most popular which have been "Black Woman & Child" and "Da Real Thing" on the Digital B label, "Praise Ye Jah" on Xterminator, and "Rise to the Occasion" on Greensleeves.
Recently, however, he has come under fire for the homophobic content of many of his lyrics, and the advocacy of violence against gays.
Real
Sizzla Lyrics
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Babylon yu a di unreal
Hreal, di black nation get heal
King rastafari buss the seven seal
Deal, 'nough dey inna wrong deal
Who cyan hear ago feel
Steal, ghetto youth nuh badda steal
Righteousness mi appeal
Wha them a grab on pan, ah them own time-bomb
Dem nuh see say ghetto youth a bun wey pollution
Them get themself program, with bad injection
Well a couldn't the ghetto youths yu wha come siddung pan
Get a master plan, you and the bwoy pope-john
Fi put the microchip inna the youths them foot & hand
Gimmie di remmington, I don't care a damn
Black woman a ? bun pollution
Dem come wid attraction, an them emotion
Well a couldn't mi black woman you wha come li-dung pan
Yu get yu deposition, inna di wrong section
Yu they spy fi bring information
White man yu kill di chineyman, & di Indian man
Now di white man wha come tess all mi black nation
Well a revolution, inna di armageddon
Mi still a chant repatriation
Well black man sey,
Real, them ya black woman real
Babylon yu a di unreal
Heal, di black nation get heal
King rastafari buss the seven seal
Deal, 'nough they inna wrong deal
Who cyan hear ago feel
Steal, ghetto youth nuh badda steal
Righteousness mi appeal
Long time I a trod it as a warrior
Black people go home unto africa
Babylon coulda neva get mi fi no sponsor
Babylong a get yu fi favor
Yu nuh see sey babylon a done out yu flavor
Five hundread years worth a hard labor
Dem give yu jesus an sey him a yu savior
King selassi-I a bun immortal, redder, fiyah!
Real them ya ghetto youths real
Babylon yu a di unreal
Heal di black nation get heal
King rastafari buss the seven seal
Deal 'nough dey inna wrong deal
Who cyan hear ago feel
Steal ghetto youth nuh badda steal
Righteousness mi appeal
The lyrics to Sizzla's "Real" are very political and provide commentary on the state of the ghetto and the black community. The chorus repeats the importance of being real and not falling for the facade that Babylon (a term often used to refer to oppressive systems that keep people in poverty) presents. The song then dives into a critique of pollution and the way the black community is affected by it - Sizzla calls out those who have been "programmed" to accept it and gives a rallying call for a "master plan" to combat it. Sizzla also mentions the misdeeds of white colonizers and calls for revolution and repatriation to Africa, reinforcing the ideas of black liberation that are often present in reggae music.
Line by Line Meaning
Real, them ya ghetto youths real
The people living in ghettos are real and authentic
Babylon yu a di unreal
The oppressive powers and systems are fake and fabricated
Heal, di black nation get heal
The black community is finally starting to heal and make progress
King rastafari buss the seven seal
The black community is inspired and strengthened by their faith in King Rastafari to overcome obstacles
Deal, 'nough dey inna wrong deal
Many people are caught up in bad situations due to corrupt deals and agreements
Who cyan hear ago feel
Those who are receptive to the truth will be touched by it
Steal, ghetto youth nuh badda steal
The people living in ghettos should not resort to stealing to get what they need
Righteousness mi appeal
The songwriter is appealing to righteousness and purity in people's actions and intentions
Wha them a grab on pan, ah them own time-bomb
Those who try to control and manipulate others will ultimately face the consequences of their actions
Dem nuh see say ghetto youth a bun wey pollution
People in power often ignore the struggles of those in poverty, including dealing with pollution and environmental hazards
Them get themself program, with bad injection
The systems in place are harmful to individuals and communities
Well a couldn't the ghetto youths yu wha come siddung pan
People in power cannot ignore the struggles of those in poverty
Get a master plan, you and the bwoy pope-john
The songwriter calls for a new plan to address the issues facing the black community
Fi put the microchip inna the youths them foot & hand
The powers try to control and track people through invasive technologies
Gimmie di remmington, I don't care a damn
The songwriter wants a weapon to defend against the oppressive systems and powers
Black woman a ? bun pollution
Black women are affected by pollution and environmental hazards
Dem come wid attraction, an them emotion
Those in power appeal to people's emotions to manipulate them
Well a couldn't mi black woman you wha come li-dung pan
Black women should not tolerate oppression and manipulation
Yu get yu deposition, inna di wrong section
Black women are often marginalized and ignored in mainstream society
Yu they spy fi bring information
Those in power try to gather information to maintain their control
White man yu kill di chineyman, & di Indian man
White people have committed atrocities against other races and ethnicities
Now di white man wha come tess all mi black nation
Those in power are now trying to suppress and subjugate the black community
Well a revolution, inna di armageddon
The songwriter calls for a revolution to overthrow oppressive systems and bring about justice
Mi still a chant repatriation
The songwriter is still calling for a return to Africa and a reclamation of black culture and history
Long time I a trod it as a warrior
The songwriter has been fighting for justice for a long time, like a warrior
Black people go home unto africa
The black community should return to their African roots and culture
Babylon coulda neva get mi fi no sponsor
The songwriter will not be controlled or manipulated by the oppressive systems and powers
Babylong a get yu fi favor
The oppressive systems and powers try to win people over and make them complicit
Yu nuh see sey babylon a done out yu flavor
The songwriter is calling attention to the fact that the oppressive systems and powers have destroyed black culture and identity
Five hundread years worth a hard labor
The black community has endured centuries of oppression and exploitation
Dem give yu jesus an sey him a yu savior
The oppressive systems and powers present religion as a means of control and a way to keep people from rising up
King selassi-I a bun immortal, redder, fiyah!
The songwriter looks to King Selassie-I as a symbol of hope and strength for the black community
Lyrics © DistroKid, Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DONALD DENNIS, PHILLIP BURRELL, MIGUEL COLLINS, SLY DUNBAR, BILL ANDERSON, JIM COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
destiny brown
In my feelings right now.... how relevant is this song, right now world wide...
RAYZOR
destiny brown these rastas been warning us for a very long time but most of us felt educated can only come from the same institutions and curriculum set up by the slave master himself
Black is Amazing
Very relevant
Roberto McCarthy
Well said beloved of "Israel", this was categorized as savage not as it means today. (SAD)😢Bob Marley and many prophets Martin L King, Malcom X, The achievements of Marcus Garvey, Midgard Everest, Black Wall Street, G.W.Carver and many more etc etc etc, this system will never let you know who you are and to "WHOM" #UBLONG!!!
Peter Grant
Which reggae artist can you compare with Sizzla? Sizzla on another level. He is in a class by himself. People please subscribe to his youtube channel. Personally Sizzla's music has contributed to my life in a variety of way. It has help me spiritually, guide my decisions, over the years his music has being my biggest motivation etc. Sizzla, more raspect to you Sir. Long life and continuous success I wish for you!!!
Delon Thomas
The introduction to this song give me strength i firmly believe reggea music can save humanity because its the truth streaming through our souls body and mind
Logan Don
One of Sizzla's most powerful song.. real ting's the man a chat..
Gaynelle Beckles
It is 2021 now and it's looking prophetic.
trinidivine
Sizzla at his best! I still have the cassette to this ha ha! 1998 Loved this year.
Maciej Woliński
I have this CD and 1998 its my birth year.I'm 23 years old and listen to Sizzla From 12 years and know his every song 🤙