By Claudia Gardner—-
Recording artist Sizzla Kalonji has come out in strong defence of fellow female singer, Queen Ifrica, who is under pressure from gay rights groups in Jamaica and Canada.
The Canada-based gay rights advocacy group, Jamaica Association of Gays and Lesbians Abroad, lobbied the Canadian government and the promoters of the Rastafest International Reggae Concert which was held at Downsview Park in Canada last week, which led to Queen Ifrica being axed from the line-up of performers at the event.
Her removal had come on the heels of her performance at the national Grand Gala on Independence Day, during which she had denounced the homosexual lifestyle.
STOP TARGETING REGGAE
But in an interview with The Gleaner following his performance during the Makalon Anniversary shown in Lucea, Hanover on Saturday night, Sizzla Kalonji, said the gay community should refrain from targeting Queen Ifrica.
“Right now dem fi just go one side and leave di girl alone,” Sizzla Kalonji said. “The women (of Jamaica) must speak out against it. They should get their kids and go in the streets and protest against it, because we doing Jah works, and buggerism, we nah strengthen it.”
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
“There is a time and a place for everything. You know you have to deal with people respectfully and you know code of conduct and choice of words. But then again we say bun fire straight fi dat lifestyle,” Sizzla added.
Sizzla also hinted that he could record a song in support of Queen Ifrica.
“Anything I mind tell I fi do I jus do it in the name of the Most High. It is a girl, and you don’t know what might happen, just listen out,” he said.