Downtown Kingston was filled with excitement on Sunday as the Artwalk Festival – sponsored by Kingston Creative, Red Stripe Flavours, Catherine’s Peak and Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) – celebrated Jamaica’s rich musical heritage for National Heritage Month with an intense sound clash. RockWildaz claimed the top spot, taking home the JMD$70,000 cash prize and stamping their name once again on Jamaica’s sound system culture, following their recent win as co-champions of the 2024 Guinness Sounds of Greatness (GSOG) Clash.
“We came to give the people a real show and showcase what Jamaican sound clash is all about. Every round was a battle, and every tune was meant to highlight what we stand for. Kingston Creative gave us the stage to bring our best,” said DJ Danejah of the RockWildaz team. The sound clash tradition, deeply rooted in Jamaican culture, has long been a stage for sound system DJs to showcase their mastery. Kingston Creative Artwalk’s clash drew both die-hard fans and curious newcomers.
“This was my first sound clash and I was blown away. I’ve heard about clashes before, but seeing it live, feeling the energy, and watching the DJs go head-to-head was incredible. It’s amazing how much of our culture comes alive in these moments,” said Tameka Woods, a retired military officer.
As a prelude to the sound clash, Joshua Chamberlain, founder of the Jamaica Sound System Federation, educated the crowd on the foundational impact of sound system culture on Jamaica’s creative landscape. Shortly after, the legendary ‘Uncle Ronnie’ Jarrett of 8 Mile Sound helped the teams set for the competition, with selectors Gyal Sound, Hebrewman Sound, Flex Supreme, Yush Sound International, RockWildaz Sound, Afrocongo Sound, Bozack Sound, and Inte End Sound battling for the grand prize.
The Artwalk Festival’s sound clash began with a thrilling Showcase round where eight sound systems celebrated Jamaica’s rich musical legacy through genres like mento, ska, and rocksteady, stirring the crowd with their selections. Flex Supreme and Gyal Sound were the first to be eliminated after intense performances. As the competition ramped up in the Pressure Cooker Round with a focus on reggae and dub, heavy basslines and conscious lyrics filled the air. However, Bozack and Inte End Sound didn’t meet the judges’ standards, leaving RockWildaz, Yush Sound International, Afrocongo Sound, and Hebrewman Sound to advance.
Survival Round tapped into dancehall hits from the ‘80s to ‘90s and early 2000s, leading to the elimination of Hebrewman Sound and Afrocongo Sound, leaving RockWildaz and Yush Sound International in the final showdown. In the Clash of the Titans, each system pulled out all the stops with rapid-fire dubplate exchanges in a heated Tune-fi-Tune session that brought the festival to a crescendo. RockWildaz’s masterful anthems captivated the crowd, earning them the title of Kingston Creative Sound Clash Champions.
Kingston Creative Artwalk Manager Christine Solomon highlighted this month’s festival’s purpose, “Our music has had a profound impact on global movements of freedom and resistance, and this event allows us to honour Jamaica’s cultural contributions to the world. Through the spirit of competition, we wanted to showcase the creativity and resilience of Jamaica’s sound system culture.”