Keeping Soundclash Culture Afloat
There are many reasons to love the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise—the performances, the fans, the total immersion in what the one and only Shinehead has likened to a “Rub-a-dub Disneyland”—but WTJRC’s unfailing support of sound system culture may be the best reason of all. A plethora of legendary sounds—from King Jammy’$ to Stone Love to Metro Media, Bodyguard, Black Scorpio, Bass Odyssey, Downbeat The Ruler, Renaissance Disco, and Mighty Crown—have juggled on board Damian Marley’s cruise over the years, presenting reggae and dancehall music with an intensity of feeling and cultural correctness that no normal disc jockey or cyber playlist could hope to replicate. Moreover, for the past two years WTJRC has presented the world’s first ever Soundclash at Sea, showcasing the excitement of top-ranking battle-tested selectors going tune for tune in a musical death match with support from respected clash promoters Irish & Chin. Exposing international reggae fans to authentic hardcore sound clash is important for many reasons, especially at a time when Red Bull’s Culture Clash can fill 20,000 capacity arenas. So as Boomshots continues our 2016 Year in Review, we have to acknowledge the rise of the Soundclash at Sea, which is both a burial and a resurrenction of sorts. Video & Photos After The Jump…
Despite juggling well in the first round, King Turbo was the first sound to be eliminated. Tony Matterhorn dropped some heavy dubs early out, with Fire Links getting clowned for his choice to wear a “country” outfit and water boots. Meanwhile Mighty Crown came out the gate strong with a custom dub rotation including a few tunes that just might have been voiced on-board the ship. Matterhorn did his best to defeat the Far East Rulaz, even going so far as to wear a Japanese kimono for one round, on some “if you can’t beat em join em” type steez. But in the final dub for dub round, Mighty Crown defeated Matterhorn with an endless selection of musical ammunition and the charisma to burst it on the opposition, necessitating a Soundbwoy Burial at Sea!
Subscribe to Boomshots TV
Follow Boomshots on Tumblr
Follow @Boomshots
