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Recalling the days when sound clashes reigned supreme in dancehall, Michael Dawson, owner of Kingston nightclub, MECA, has decided to resurrect what he labels “a dying culture” through a new sound clash series dubbed Soundkilla.
Last weekend’s staging ended in a grand spectacle as Ruff House and Energy Juglaz sounds both put on a fierce battle for a spot in the coveted finals. When the dust settled, it was Energy Juglaz who emerged victorious after ‘burying’ the competition (literally). Carrying a coffin as a prop, Energy Juglaz proved from early out that they did not come to play.
The last semi final in the series takes place tonight at MECA and will see DJ Banka from Della Soul Sounds, battle for a spot in the finals against Notorious International. For DJ Banka, the series has been “a blessing”.
“Sound clashes, whether people want to believe it or not, put food on a lot of people’s plates, and the number of clashes happening around Jamaica is not that many any more,” Banka said. “Mi wah the yute dem round my sound get some highlight because everybody know Banka as a clash selector, a juggling selector, but when you have a sound system with so many deejays, you want everyone to get that chance to shine and showcase their talent. MECA has offered us that spotlight with this series, and I give thanks.”
Having witnessed the dedication of all participating sound systems so far, Dawson said the series has injected new fire into the clash space.
“Sound clashes are an integral part of dancehall culture and I have always been a huge fan so when I saw them virtually disappearing from the local entertainment scene, I felt compelled to try something to not only bring it back mainstream but to take on the task of introducing it to the next generation of fans who make up most of MECA’s regular patronage,” said Dawson.
Outlining that even more important than a sound clash renaissance is ensuring its continuation for generations to come, the entrepreneur and businessman stated that, although corporate support for the venture was lacking, it was a worthwhile investment.
The series, which started on June 24, has already seen fierce battles from several prominent as well as up-and-coming sound systems. Already, three winners have emerged from a four-round group stage. The final battle will take place on August 5. Dawson says so far, the clashes have generated tremendous support from dancehall lovers who flood the nightclub weekly to lock in to the musical battles.
“The atmosphere is growing with each round, and that tells us we’re on the right track,” Dawson said. “It has been particularly rewarding to see younger people saying, ‘Wow, neva know a suh sound clash sweet.’ That was a priority for us, and so it’s a good look for the culture.”
With an overall cash purse of $2 million, winners are compensated through each round. First round winners walk away with a weekly prize of $75,000, while the runner-up receives $25,000. Those who make it to the semi-final stages will walk away with $150,000 for the victors and $50,000 for the runners-up. To offer further financial assistance, Dawson and sponsor, Jamkila, will also allocate $50,000 towards helping the competitors secure dub plates in the semi-final round and $100,000 for the finals. Winners at the end of the series will walk away with $1 million.
Having witnessed the love for the weekly series so far, Dawson is encouraging more investments in the sound clash arena. According to him, platforms need to be created to highlight rising sounds, as reintroducing new players is a great way of ensuring continuity.
English (US) ·