Mixtape Mondays: DJ Child x Sizzla Kalonji, “It’s A Burning Fire” LargeUp Exclusive

Words By DJ Theory

Instead of our regularly scheduled Mixtape Mondays program, this week we give our full attention to a LargeUp exclusive from Oakland, California’s humble boss, DJ Child. Child’s independent hustle and seemingly effortless dedication to his Project Groundation Massive (PGM) brand has garnered him fans and supporters the world over. With countless volumes of mixtapes in the catalog, a slew of classic bootleg 12″s and now a series of music videos shot, produced, edited and blasted all by the man himself, it’s hard to believe he gets any sleep. When he’s not working on those projects, you can find him shooting artist photos, promoting his clothing line, or collaborating with M1 from Dead Prez, Konshens, Sizzla, Pressure, Jahdan Blakkamoore and various other top-ranking and up-and-coming artists. (For a sneak preview of Project Groundation’s upcoming Vol. 32: Revolutionary Culture mixtape hosted by M1 and Konshens, check this fresh new video featuring M1 and Jahdan Blakkamoore murdering the “Down On Me” instrumental).

It’s A Burning Fire is a throwback Sizzla Kalonji mix focusing on his early roots and culture classics, B-sides and forgotten favorites. Previously released only on CD, Child is re-releasing the mix for 2011 as a free download for the people, available exclusively on LargeUp. An essential mix for Sizzla fans, it’s laced with 40 tracks of timeless Kalonji, sealed up tight as always by DJ Child. Listening to this mix reminds me why I love reggae music, especially during that time when Sizzla was a listening favorite.

Download It’s A Burning Fire here.

**Bonus**  DJ Child / PGM “Revolutionary Suicide” mixtape hosted by M1 of Dead Prez

Child and M1 of Dead Prez also recently teamed up to bring forth Revolutionary Suicide, a tribute to the late Gil Scott-Heron, who passed last month at age 62. Presented in association with Bay Area Ankh Marketing and Hip-Hop.Com, the mix is packed with essential tunes from the great poet, bluesman and hip-hop godfather (did you know his father was a Jamaican, who was the first black man to play for Scotland’s Glasgow Celtic soccer club?) and also features interludes from M1 and a healthy selection of the rap tracks that Gil helped inspire. Get the tracklist and info here, and download here.