Veteran dancehall selector Supa Twitch has credited his enduring passion for music, discipline, and unwavering respect for sound system culture as the keys to a career that has remained relevant for nearly four decades.

Fresh from a standout performance at the recent Joyride event, Supa Twitch said the atmosphere was a reminder of why the music of the 1990s and early 2000s continues to resonate with fans across generations.

“Joyride was special. The crowd came to feel the music, not just hear it. You could feel the nostalgia in the air, with people singing every lyric from my 90s set like it dropped yesterday. When I touched the stage the energy was electric. It was pure love, which is the magic of a real dancehall crowd,” he said.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, and raised in east Kingston, Supa Twitch attended St Aloysius Primary School before moving on to St. George’s College. He relocated to New York in 1991 and is now based in Miami, although he describes the road as his true office.

“I was in love with dancehall from the age of 10 and used to sneak out just to listen to sound systems,” he recalled.

His professional journey began in 1988 with the east Kingston-based Supersonic sound system before moving to Black Stone the following year.

Inspired by legendary selectors Rory of Stone Love and Webba of Black Stone, Supa Twitch said he quickly realised that selecting was about much more than playing records.

“A selector doesn’t just play tunes; a selector moves people. I wanted to move people,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

After migrating to New York, he joined Afrique Soundstation, where he worked alongside respected figures including Jagga B, Crazy Richie, and the late Supa Claude.

“That was school for me. They taught me versatility and showed me how to take dancehall global without losing my roots,” he shared.

Reflecting on his longevity in one of the world’s most competitive music cultures, Supa Twitch said staying true to the music has always come first.

“You have to respect the music, evolve without selling out, and bring 100 per cent every time you perform. Most importantly, you have to keep loving the music. Once that love disappears, it starts feeling like a job,” the selector charged.

While acknowledging that today’s dancehall industry offers artistes unprecedented global opportunities through digital platforms, he believes something valuable has been lost.

“The talent is definitely there today, but the golden era had more artiste development and stronger connections between artists and sound systems. Back then, a tune had to pass the dance test before it hit radio. Now a song can trend and disappear in two weeks,” the veteran reasoned.

For Supa Twitch, events like Joyride play a vital role in preserving Jamaica’s rich sound system heritage.

“Joyride acts as both an archive and an amplifier. It reminds the new generation where the music comes from and reminds my generation why we fell in love with it in the first place. Sound system culture is Jamaica’s original social media,” he said.

One of the biggest highlights of his Joyride performance came when he playfully convinced female patrons he was about to play only hard-core dancehall selections before surprising them with classic soul and R&B favourites.

“I had them singing every single word. That created the biggest vibe of the entire night,” he told the Observer.

Among his proudest achievements are founding Supa Sound in 2005, winning the 2014 International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) for Florida’s Most Popular Dance DJ, and successfully touring Japan annually between 2013 and 2019.

Looking ahead, Supa Twitch revealed plans for an extensive international touring schedule, including Europe, Canada, and a return to Japan later this year, with Australia targeted for 2027. He is also expanding his acting career following his appearance in the 2025 film Unbelievable.