‘Death in the Arena’ - Tony Matterhorn to battle Pink Panther in clash

Two of Jamaica's roughest selectors, Tony Matterhorn and Pink Panther, are slated to face-off in a duel dubbed 'Death in the Arena', which is set to take place on July 4 in a virtual sound clash.

"Coming off the high from the Beenie-Bounty Verzuz battle, there is a renewed love for clashes and we want to get the people who are perhaps the most important part of any clash involved in the conversation," Chauncey Henry, promoter of the event, said.

Henry told THE WEEKEND STAR that his aim is to celebrate selectors and keep them at the centre of Jamaica's musical culture.

"We can't leave the DJs out of it and so we are doing this to show that they are just as important as the artistes when it comes on to clashes."

Fuel the culture

Henry, a New York-based attorney-at-law, said his reason for getting involved in the promotion is purely to fuel the culture.

"I know from a likkle yute growing up what it takes to build and establish a sound system. I don't have to be a sound man to do this. Panther is a nine-time world champion and when I talk to him, I hear the passion in his voice about this, and the same goes for Matterhorn, and nobody is stepping up to give these men the highlight they deserve, at least not until it benefits the person who is giving them the highlight," he said.

"This is a platform for Jamaicans by Jamaicans and there is no commercialisation because we can't put a price on this kind of musical greatness."

Pink Panther said that this will be his first online clash, and he is very excited. "I'm going up against Matterhorn and so you know that will be an exciting showdown. I'm ready and prepared," he said.

Tony Matterhorn is looking forward to the event.

"Events like these are vital to the musical culture, as it is important to show that sound clash as we call it, is still prevalent and is still active. Over the years the clash culture has deteriorated to some extent and so it's still good to know that the clash fans are out there, and it's important for us to keep this part of the culture going and buzzing just the same," he said.