THE Lime Light Entertainment complex in Half-Way-Tree, Kingston was venue to a barely publicised sound clash on Friday.

Rapper, actor, music producer, and business mogul, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs teamed up with Jamaica’s own Supreme Promotions head Isaiah Laing, and Downsound Records CEO, Josef Bogdanovich for the impromptu event dubbed “Bad Boy Clash”.

The Grammy-winning record label exec flew in from Tryall, Montego Bay, with his rumoured significant other, singer Cassie, to host the event. He took to the stage with fervour as he had been tweeting with fanatical enthusiasm prior to his Half-Way-Tree debut. Diddy performed hits such as All About The Benjamins, Satisfy You and I Need A Girl to the delight of patrons. He spoke sporadically; stating he was happy to be in Kingston and to witness a sound clash, a first on both counts.

Cameos were made by international dancehall superstar  Beenie Man; clash patriarch, Ninja ­Man; newly crowned clash maven Kiprich; flossing king, Flippa Mafia; and Vybz Kartel protégé, Tommy Lee. All the acts were well received by the enthusiastic fans, whose pockets where not troubled for the Sting-like line-up.??

‘Clashing’ in the New Year

The clash, which was streamed live, appeared to be another event by the Laing, Bogdanovich duo to re-establish dancehall’s roots. This joint venture, which comes hot off the heels of another Sting, is a positive for the future of the floundering music industry.

Four sound system heavyweights Black Kat, Bass Odyssey, Tony Matterhorn, and Foota Hype competed for a whopping US$20,000 prize. The selectors provided solid round-by-round entertainment with good juggling and friendly banter.

As expected, sound bites were a dime a dozen. MC Nuffy introduced himself to Diddy saying: “Listen Puffy, this is Nuffy, and welcome to Jamaica.” Flippa introduced himself as the “P Diddy of Jamaica”. Matterhorn stated that the true battle was between himself and Bass Odyssey. Downsound artiste Ishawna was the go-to reference of the selectors in an attempt to frustrate her beau Foota in his bid for the title. But he weathered the onslaught and slid into the final round where he put up a spirited fight against eventual champion Tony Matterhorn.

Sensing victory, Matterhorn shouted: ‘three thousand of this a go dung childrens’, undoubtedly a jab at Foota’s earlier stunt when he threw money into the crowd. Matterhorn seemingly led throughout the rounds, but unquestionably secured the title after he delivered a dub from the queen of reggae, Marcia Griffiths. The selection immediately impulsed comments with the words “Matterhorn” and “win”.