In the sound system arena, the fittest of sounds shall survive. And that’s exactly what Antigua-based Kanabis Sound is doing.

Known throughout the region and having competed in and won several sound clashes, Kanabis Sound continues to build its brand and reggae.

The sound system was borne out of a love for music. Eighteen years ago, Mario “Progress Boss” Casmir and Deon “Real Stingaz” Dunning, both residents of Antigua, decided to start a sound system. They plied their trade playing at house parties and events, which they saw as promotion for the sound.

“The journey for the sound has been really good for the past few years. We have been getting a lot of bookings and we have been doing gigs outside of Antigua a lot,” said Dunning.

In addition to Dunn and Casmir , the members are: Glenn “Madd Dawg” Francis, Laurance “Jelly Belly” Mason, Courtney “Jahny Gwaap” Timothy, Sadique “DJ Ladda” Jarvis, and Anthony “DJ Toni” Spencer. Two former members, DJ Mix Up and DJ Rambo were Jamaicans.

He explained what the sound brings to the table musically.

“Well as an Antiguan sound we bring a lot to the table musically — entertainment and non-stop vibes. We always know how to get an event hyped up. We host dances annually and that helps to be creative in anything that we do. We always try to stand out,” said Dunning.

He also spoke about a career highlight for the sound.

“The biggest highlight for the sound was a clash with Young Hawk from New York and Blunt Posse Tag Team clash, which was held in 2016. It made a lot of people start to look at the sound differently and it gave us more recognition, more bookings, and a larger fan base,” said Dunning.

Dunning also spoke about the sound’s mission to consistently promote Jamaican music.

“We promote Jamaican music and Jamaican artistes mainly because of the hot songs that are coming out. The sound system culture started in Jamaica and we love the music and the vibe. Whether you start or end the party playing Jamaican music, if you don’t know where the music is coming from you can’t be a great sound. The roots are from Jamaica and we have to respect that,” he said.

Kanabis Sound is expanding its horizons by building a recording studio to produce music and create beats.