Guinness sound clash back on July 1
DITCHING its virtual showcase of last year, the grand return of Guinness Sounds of Greatness (GSOG) is slated for Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew on July 1.
The competition is seeing a new format: one-night clash featuring two categories — new-school selectors and a face-off the titans.
Legendary selectors Pink Panther and Ricky Trooper will go head-to-head in their quest for victory and to emerge the legends category winner, while dancehall’s fast-rising DJ Banka and Shukkle Bus will seek to earn the coveted title in the new-school category.
Lyshon Davis, Guinness’s brand manager, is excited to bring this high-intensity event to dancehall fans.
“I’m really excited that Guinness Sounds of Greatness is now back ‘pan di streets’. The sound systems are ready to show up and show out to prove themselves worthy of the GSOG crown. I’m looking forward to the dub plates, the different musical eras the selectors will draw from, and the excitement from the fans. The judging panel will include disk jock heavyweights, Keith Walford of Bass Odyssey, DJ Delano of Renaissance Disco, and popular radio personality ZJ Sparks. We have also secured dancehall megastar Govana to close the show and we believe the entire showcase will delight and excite all our patrons,” she said.
Matthew Ricketts, long-time fan of the competition, is looking forward to the GSOG’s 14th staging.
“Sound clashes are a big part of our dancehall culture and of which I enjoy the most. With two of the most legendary sound clash DJs facing off, July 1 can’t come quick enough. Guinness has consistently put on a spectacular show with calibre performances and consistent production quality. I’m looking forward to all of it, especially the dubplates and the general vibes that are unique to authentic Jamaican dancehall,” he said.
With the heightened anticipation of this epic showdown, Davis highlighted the brand’s mandate of preserving dancehall culture with the GSOG recognition awards.
“Guinness is all about spotlighting the powerful significance of the Jamaican dancehall culture and supporting local sounds by allowing them to showcase their creativity. We saw it fit to present GSOG Recognition Awards in the form of champion belts to veteran sound systems, so far we have rewarded Renaissance, Bodyguard and Kilimanjaro. The awards are a tangible acknowledgement of their contribution to the development of the sound system culture in Jamaica and across the world,” she added.