Sound systems should develop creative ways to ‘get a forward’

As sound systems were, and still are, such crucial elements of Jamaica’s cultural history, they also travelled with the rush of Caribbean migrants to Europe. Along with their purpose of being a method of disseminating music and their messages, sound systems were influenced by the socio-political changes and have been linked to liberal ideas and explicit expressions – especially in sound clashes.

In The Gleaner’s recent Entertainment Forum , Renaissance Disco’s Delano Thomas acknowledged the link between the music and the socio-political climate – and its stigmatisation in the ears of local listeners versus the acceptance of foreign consumers.

“The sound systems of the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s were stigmatised. The society of Jamaica had it as [operators] being weed smokers, criminals, and thieves. Anybody that owned one was believed to be involved in criminal activity, and it held back sound system locally while it was changing the world.”

He believes that sound systems are not cherished in Jamaica because of that stigmatisation, which was encouraged by clash culture. The constant use of expletives and harsh language to “kill a sound” perpetuates the stigma, but those same profane expressions that (if broadcast) come with a fine or jail time for Jamaicans, are respected and enjoyed outside of Jamaica.

“Overseas people love our traditional curse words. When Jamaicans, or, for example, selectors go to countries in Europe and curse what we call a bad word, they get the biggest forward, and when they do their research and realise that sound system culture comes from Jamaica, persons visit to learn about it.”

“People are drawn to the culture and what some cultures may see as negative, other cultures may see it as positive and adopt it,” David Harper, director of Killamanjaro (Sound System), explained.

Follow the principles

Still, there exist principles for sound systems developed within Jamaica to follow. “It is for us to set an example,” said Harper.

Sound system competitions like Red Bull’s Culture Clash are designed around a set of principles that challenge the groups to delve deeper into their creative psyches.

Freddie McGregor highlighted that part of the stipulations for the local staging of the Red Bull Culture Clash is that there should be no use of profane, indecent or obscene language which, he expressed, will only benefit and enhance the experience.

Notwithstanding the definition of what a clash is, the veteran reggae artiste said: “A sound clash is not a war or fight; it is about the music … it is a music clash, not a clash of words. We mus’ can make music exciting without the use of expletives.”

When packaging sound system culture properly, Harper expressed that the focus must be on the music and the sounds need to find more creative ways to use the music to “throw cards” at each other.

“While there is need for a little smack talk for any competition, persons don’t have to go as far as telling someone about their mother, and we find that nowadays, people are more aggressive and get too personal. Back then, when morning lights, the selectors would shake hands and leave laughing.

The clash will challenge the competitors to be more creative and get back to rewriting songs and creating dubs.”

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com