The much-anticipated 2024 Reggae Sumfest Global Sound Clash which was held at the Sports Complex (“Stadium”) in Montego Bay, Jamaica did not disappoint. The competitors vying for sound system supremacy in the birthplace of sound clash culture were: Dynamq (South Sudan); Warrior Sound (Germany); Notorious International (Jamaica) alongside Bad Gyal Marie (Japan); Code Red (Jamaica); and Body Guard (Jamaica).
Without a doubt, the event certainly lived up to the hype, as the dynamic Jamaica-Japan duo ‘Likkle Shabba’s Notorious International, featuring Japan’s Bad Gyal Marie, emerged victorious after the dust had settled in the wee hours of the early morning, defeating Body Guard Sound in the final round of competition.
In Jamaica sound systems are analogous to mobile discos/radio stations that travels from community to community to promote and play the latest tracks from artists that was in demand but not yet playing on the radio, or to ‘buss’ (introduce) up-and-coming artists to the mainstream.
Against that backdrop, sound systems served as a testing ground for DJs (‘sound men’, ‘sound boys’ or ‘selectors’) on the sound systems.
What’s more, sound system selectors DJs often clashed against each other or played their best selections for audiences in an attempt to win approval of crowds that would gather on street corners not only in Jamaica, but also abroad.
In 1968, King Tubby’s ‘Hi Fi’ sound system enlisted Ewart ‘U Roy’ Beckford, who hailed from the Kingston area of Jones Town, as the set’s MC or hype-man. In that capacity, it was U Roy who then became known for pioneering and popularizing a rhyme chatting style on the sound system microphone, characterized by short phrases which became known as sound system ‘toasting’.
In turn, the founding fathers in dub music, such as King Tubby and other sound system operators in Jamaica, began not only formulating ‘riddims’ (or beats) that carried heavy baselines, but also the ‘versioning’ of those tracks–often as instrumentals on the b-side of songs they produced.
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, who passed away a few years ago at the age of 85, was a central pillar and the genius who many say set the groundwork for dub music, which sound systems latched onto as the vehicle for formulating riddims and recording artists.
Not to mention the iconic and foundational King Jammy, Downbeat, and Winston ‘Father Pow’ Powell’s Stone Love, which are both still active and carrying the torch of Jamaican sound system culture and studio wizardry to today’s generation.
The photo reel in this story aim to capture the highlights from this year’s Global Sound Clash event at Reggae Sumfest 2024, which was nothing short of a vibrant celebration of reggae, dancehall, and Jamaican culture from a musical perspective.
There were a number of notables in attendance at the venue, including: Lennox Claudius Lewis (former professional boxing champion born to Jamaican parents); Steve Giant (Rastasnob Magazine – Italy); Ishawna (Jamaican Dancehall Artist); Cordell ‘Skatta’ Burrell (A member of the Downsound Entertainment management team); and Walshy Fire (Jamaican-American DJ, MC, record producer and member of the world renowned, Major Lazer).
Jamaicans.com contributor Nick Ford was on hand to capture moments at the clash, which took place on July 17th at the Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay.
Photos by Nick Ford
