Irish and Chin support clean clashes

Reggae Sumfest announced their partnership with Irish and Chin a few months ago and the pair are expected to take the sound clash to new heights.

"Patrons are going to get the level of excitement that they're used to under the World Clash brand," said Garfield 'Chin' Bourne, who is one-half of the clash promoter duo, Irish and Chin.

"The fact that we have now teamed up with Sumfest makes the excitement and the adrenaline bigger. You're looking at a six-time world champion Pink Panther, five-time world champion Mighty Crown, two-time world champion Tony Matterhorn, and Ricky Trooper, competing for one title. It's going to be special," he said.

"World Clash is the Grammy of sound system culture. It's that stage that makes you feel like a champion as a contender. Even if you don't win, you feel good. It's almost like an artiste saying, I didn't win a Grammy but I got nominated for a Grammy. It's 20 years of sound clash culture under the World Clash banner, and these giants now are coming back to be able to brag and say, 'I won the World Clash 20th title'."

With that said, Chin said that he doesn't anticipate any problems with participants sticking to the 'no profanity' rule set last year.

For the inaugural staging of Reggae Sumfest's sound clash last year, it was announced that participants had to refrain from using expletives and bashing certain groups while they face off. The rules were met with some amount of displeasure, as persons believed the clash would not be authentic if participants were not allowed to speak their minds in a raw, unadulterated manner.

GETTING MORE CREATIVE

Chin, who has been involved in sound clashes for more than two decades, said that he believes the rules will push contestants to find more creative ways to express themselves.

"When people refrain from cursing, it will test the contenders and allow them to show more of their talent and their creativity. Look at the restriction as the organisers giving these sound clash participants something that will get them to be more," he explained.

"I definitely am a fan of uncensored sound clash culture. That will never change. However, in the seat that I sit, I do understand where the compromise needs to come for the greater good of the industry. This year marks the second year of having this rule and I don't foresee any major issues. Being able to go on a stage like Sumfest, there has to be some kind of compromise."

He explained that for an industry that has complained about the lack of support for dancehall culture, the rules should be met with a more open mind, as they are an indication that corporate Jamaica wants to support dancehall music.