Guinness Sounds of Greatness paving a way for more selectors, women
Published:Tuesday | June 7, 2022 | 12:09 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
Guinness Sounds of Greatness (GSOG) is gearing up to take the show on the road with ‘Back Pan Di Street’. Returning to its traditional format, the 14th staging of the popular sound clash competition has high expectations for the battles between the old and the young guns in the business.
Last year, DJ Naz demonstrated her ‘Gurl Power’ and walked away with the championship belt during the competition’s virtual staging. And while sound system culture is male-dominated, she holds firm that there is room for growth and more women. Although no female selectors have been named to participate this year, she plans to “represent female strength to the maximum”.
“It has been a long road, but one that has strengthened me more than anyone can understand. I can only look forward to more greatness for the competition and for the rest of the year. I don’t know who will come out as the winner; I’m waiting to see,” said the current champion and owner of the Gurl Power sound system.
GSOG’s Back Pan Di Street is slated for July 1 inside the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. It will feature iconic selectors DJ Pink Panther and Ricky Trooper going head-to-head in an intense clash filled with thunderbolt moments and a whole lot of creative musicianship, said Guinness Brand Manager Lyshon Davis.
“This year will definitely be different, coming out of the COVID-19 period of lockdowns; and in the one show, we are packing a full programme of entertainment. Next year we [will] go back on the road to different parishes as we used to, but to kick-start the highly anticipated return, we chose to go this route. It will be done in three rounds; round one is the juggling segment, round two is our theme segment, which we are still deciding [on], and finally, the dub-for-dub segment, which many persons live for. I must say, I’m interested to see how traditional DJs and the new, emerging talents handle the clash,” she told The Gleaner at last Friday’s media launch, held at Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records, at the Market Place on Constant Spring Road.
As a woman steering the wheels of a brand that attracts a large percentage of male consumers, she believes there is enough road for both genders to race into the GSOG spotlight.
“We’re encouraging more females to enter. DJ Naz created history. It was the first time a female won, and she entered about three times before, [so] now that represents girl power and determination. It shows that it doesn’t matter if a field is dominated by males; we can also shine. So, ladies, enter for next year,” Davis offered.
“It is true that lots of males drink Guinness, but recently, with us introducing Guinness Smooth, which has less alcohol, we see a lot more females trying it. And this is more palatable for them. I’m happy for [having] two different variants on the market. It means we have something for different consumers, and if we don’t, we will have it soon,” she continued.
The media launch also doubled as an awards ceremony. Veteran sound systems Renaissance Disco, Killamanjaro and Bodyguard Sound were the first three to collect their GSOG Champions Belt, out of 10 sound systems expected to receive GSOG Recognition Awards this year. It highlights sound systems that have participated in the competition in one form or another and have made significant contributions to the dancehall industry.
Chelsea Wauchope was a standout figure, collecting the award on behalf of Bodyguard Sound. Founded in 1988 by Courtney Singh, Bodyguard Sound pioneered the way for rural sound systems on the sound clash scene. “I’m a daddy’s girl, [so] anything related to him is important. To see Bodyguard grow from I was knee-high, being on the road with him, walking through the crowds at these major, staple events and meeting members of the other sound systems and the artistes are memories I cherish with him and that have shaped me. I also play; I’ve played a couple clashes at corporate events and even have won — impressing myself. Daddy basically wants to change the face of Bodyguard, coming into a new era, and as a family, we decided it’s time for the third generation to take over. Accepting the GSOG Recognition Award is something I won’t forget,” Wauchope shared.