The first request of its kind came from Dee Jay Meryvn from Music Master International sound system. (A sound system is group of DJ’s that play reggae and dancehall music).
I was honoured and humbled to receive this request as sound clashes are historic in their nature. Reggae and dancehall are embedded in every fibre of my body. They are a part of my culture and my upbringing and culture. Having watched and listened to so many iconic sounds clashes in the past from the likes of Stone Love, Bass Odyssey, King Addies, Kilimanjaro, Bodyguard and many more. I’m sure you can imagine the excitement to be able to play a small part in the sound clash scene.
Deejay Mervyn contacted me through Gee Da Genius from Buzz radio 103.8fm who is also a mutually long-time friend to us both. He remembered a poem I did called “What’s the point?” which is also currently a community advert on Buzz Radio.
A new dubplate was needed for a sound clash on 5th October 2019 called One Casket hosted by the War Report. (A dubplate is a recording aimed that the opposing sound system).
Deejay Meryvn had an amazing concept to have the dubplate created in a poetic form with a London accent. Traditionally dubplates are in in Jamaican patios and created by a reggae or dancehall artist where they directly call out and diss the opposing sound system.
I created a dubplate that could be used generically, giving Music master the opportunity to play it at more than one sound clash. Take a listen below.
This dubplate took me out of my comfort zone and challenged my word play. I was stepping into a new area of creativity and had to be the aggressor in a musical war.
Undoubtedly the winners of the Once Casket sound clash were Music Master.
I was not able to attend the event but was told the dubplate went down well! And as you can imagine I was more than happy to have played a small part in their win.
