Reggae artiste Sizzla has publicly refuted claims that he demanded payment equal to another performer—who failed to appear—in order to close the One Caribbean Music Festival. He described the allegation as a “blatant lie”.
In an official statement, the Jamaican entertainer clarified that during a meeting with the event’s promoter—who had not yet paid the 50% deposit outlined in their agreement—he merely suggested that the unpaid sum could be covered using the funds intended for the absent headliner.
“We simply said to the promoter in a meeting, when he still didn’t offer to pay us the 50% of our original contractual amount, that he should pay us the 50% that he was going to pay the artiste that was to headline the show and didn’t appear, and I will headline the show,” he wrote.
Sizzla revealed that although the contract stipulated a 50% advance, he had already performed at the event after receiving only 10% of the agreed fee.
“This is not acceptable—all because of Trinidad—and you still didn’t give us the 50% owed to us, even upon my arrival at the hotel,” he said.
Despite the contractual issues, he acknowledged the efforts of the festival’s organisers.
“I genuinely think the promoter and sponsors did a very good job; it’s just that the headliner didn’t appear.”
He also noted that he and his team waited at the hotel for hours following the meeting, expecting a resolution that never came.
“The promoter didn’t get back to us the whole night—we waited and waited, and nothing happened. I fell asleep.”
Even if he had been willing to perform without receiving the outstanding balance, Sizzla said the promoter failed to follow up with him.
Nonetheless, he ended on a positive note.
“I went to the studio and compiled my album with some very talented local acts. We’re moving on. We love Trinidad. One love Trinidad.”
