Following a fiery semi-final battle last Tuesday, MECA’s Soundkilla Clash series is set to ignite the Corporate Area hot spot again tonight.

In what is expected to be another round of intense competition, DJ Banka from Della Soul Sounds will battle for a spot in the finals against Notorious International.

Outlining that clash opportunities have become less and less, DJ Banka said the series has been a blessing for sound system operators like himself.

“Sound clashes, whether people want to believe it or not, put food on a lot of people’s plates, and the number of clashes happening around Jamaica is not that many anymore. I am grateful for this opportunity, especially as a selector also trying to introduce others to the game,” Banka said. “Mi waan the youth dem ‘round my sound get some highlight because everybody know Banka as a clash selector, a juggling selector, but when you have a sound system with so many deejays, you want everyone to get that chance to shine and showcase their talent. MECA has offered us that spotlight with this series, and I give thanks.”

“The sound clash thing kinda a water down inna Jamaica and so if MECA and Jamkila decide say dem a put something together, we love that for the culture,” he continued.

Recalling the days when sound clashes dominated dancehall, the chief executive officer at MECA, one of Kingston’s hotest nightclubs, said he and his team decided to resurrect what he dubs “a dying culture” out of mere love for dancehall.

“Sound clashes are an integral part of Dancehall culture and I have always been a huge fan so when I saw them virtually disappearing from the local entertainment scene I felt compelled to try something to not only bring it back mainstream but to take on the task of introducing it to the next generation of fans who make up most of MECA’s regular patronage,” said Dawson.

With an overall cash purse of $2 million, winners earned each round. First round winners walked away with a weekly prize of $75,000, while the runner-up earns $25,000. Those who make it to the semi-final stages will walk away with $150,000 for the victors and $50,000 for the runners-up.

To offer further financial assistance, Dawson and Jamkila will also allocate $50,000 towards helping the competitors secure dub plates in the semi-final round and $100,000 for the finals. Winners at the end of the series will walk away with $1 million.

Having witnessed the love for the weekly series so far, Dawson is encouraging more investments in the sound clash arena. According to him, platforms need to be created to highlight rising sounds, as reintroducing new players is a great way of ensuring continuity.

“We need to expose sound clashes to the new generation; that has to happen, and that’s why this is not a one-off thing for us. We have to invest in training and mentorship while creating more platforms that spotlight rising sounds. Our culture has given so much to us, and sound systems have contributed so much in helping to cement that culture on a global scale. We have to be able to return the favour in some ways,” he said.

The series, which started on June 24, has already seen fierce battles from several prominent as well as up-and-coming sound systems. The final showdown is set for August 5

“[T]his series is not just for sound clash fans, but also for club-goers who want to dance, pop bottles, and have a good time. It will also introduce this dancehall staple to new audiences who we hope will continue this very important tradition… Every week we’re seeing more people show up early, lined up with vuvuzelas in hand. From clash fans, selectors, to people who’ve never experienced a live sound clash before.,” said Dawson.

“It has been particularly rewarding to see younger people saying, ‘Wow, neva know a suh sound clash sweet.’ That was a priority for us, and so it’s a good look for the culture,” he said.

Declaring that they came to ‘bury’ the competition, Energy Juglaz bring out a coffin as a prop during their semi-final showdown with Ruff House, last Tuesday at MECA.

A section of the crowd out to witness the Soundkilla semi-finals inside MECA last Tuesday.