French musician Ricky Sai Sai has channeled his profound admiration for Jamaican culture into his latest musical release, ‘Jamaican Collie,’ serving as both artistic tribute and social commentary on global cannabis policies. The track appears on the Congo General Riddim compilation album produced by Jamaican artist Maka Lox.
Reflecting on his inaugural visit to Jamaica in 1992, Sai Sai described being profoundly moved by experiencing the homeland of his musical icons Bob Marley and Yellowman, while simultaneously noting the country’s open acceptance of ganja culture. This early exposure planted seeds that would later blossom into his latest creative endeavor.
The artist, born Sylvain Benoist to French parents in London, articulated to Observer Online that his composition directly addresses the pervasive indifference toward marijuana prohibition in nations like France. ‘Globally, we recognize that marijuana prohibition represents senseless policy—ineffective, economically wasteful, and fundamentally flawed,’ Sai Sai asserted. ‘Our objective is to emphasize how individuals across all societal strata utilize cannabis for medicinal, therapeutic, and meditative purposes.’
Musically, ‘Jamaican Collie’ constitutes a contemporary reinterpretation of Hopeton Lewis’s 1967 classic ‘Cool Collie,’ originally produced by Winston Blake of Merritone sound system renown. The 55-year-old artist, who commenced his recording career in 1984 within Paris’s intimate sound system scene, had long contemplated covering this specific track. When invited to contribute to the Congo General project, he seized the opportunity to reimagine the original groove through his distinctive artistic lens.
Beyond musical homage, Sai Sai intends the work as a declarative statement advocating for agricultural communities and policy reform. ‘This composition honors cannabis cultivators while urging society to terminate futile repression efforts,’ he explained. ‘We emphasize that concluding the war against cannabis represents an urgent contemporary imperative requiring collective cooperation and compassionate dialogue.’
This release coincides with the decennial anniversary of Jamaica’s groundbreaking 2014 legislation decriminalizing minor ganja possession, which exempted small-quantity holders from criminal prosecution. ‘Jamaican Collie’ marks Sai Sai’s second collaborative effort with Maka Lox, following their previous work ‘Chaud On Revient Show’ featuring legendary bassist Flabba Holt and drummer Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace.
The Congo General Riddim album debuted on November 28 through Maka Lox’s Ora Ora Ngaru label, featuring additional contributions from Maka Lox himself, Guinea’s Takana Zion, and Little Robert.