Sweet Love Sound System makes Guinness clash final

June 15, 2023

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DJ Jah Jah Blacks (left) and DJ John Crow take a pic after earning their spot in the Guinness Sounds of Greatness 2023 grand finale.

Dancehall superstar Jah Vinci delivered a high-energy performance at Guinness Sound Of Greatness first semi-final, which was hosted at Margaritaville Ocho Rios in St Ann.

The camera spotted Guinness Sounds Of Greatness 2023 semi-final number two contender DJ Insaneo supporting his fellow contestants.

DJ Poloblacks was unable to contain himself during the clashes.

St Mary-based DJ Jah Jah Blacks of Sweet Love Sound System has advanced to the final of the Guinness Sounds of Greatness (GSOG) 2023 competition.

By using dubplates, staying true to his roots, and with a deep hunger to win, DJ Jah Jah Blacks dominated the semi-final at Margaritaville in Ocho Rios, St Ann, from the start, earning the approval of the crowd and judges over opponent Dynamo Sound. He was quick to establish his dominance, and the raw energy and palpable excitement throughout the set were precursors to the exhilaration the evening would deliver.

The anticipation was heightened in the second round as DJ Fire Blanks faced off against YM Entertainment in the juggling, challenge, and 'chune-fi-chune' matches, with each DJ showing a good understanding of how to fire up the crowd. But DJ Fire Blanks prevailed, powering through for a match-up against DJ Jah Jah Blacks in the semi-final. But the St Mary sound prevailed.

Speaking about his victory, DJ Jah Jah Blacks shared, "It's a great feeling. A de first we a go on a platform like this. We always clash pon de ground, but we never go a Guinness Sounds of Greatness or none a dem platform deh so we grateful not only fi win but a chance fi show we talent."

Originating from Mango Valley, with a career spanning more than 15 years, DJ Jah Jah Blacks has always been driven by a passion and desire to become the best.

"A good likkle while now we a do this but a just three sounds we juggle with over these years, Dandimite, High Tension Sound, and now we have we own thing ago through Sweet Love Sound System," he shared. He said that as a relatively young sound system, Sweet Love had other sound that they idolised.

"[St Ann's] Bass Odyssey, a dem we look up to as a sound man. A dem we follow fi dem footstep. Big up every sound man still enough but a Bass Odyssey a fi we teach," he said.

With GSOG 2023 focusing on the next generation, DJ Jah Jah Blacks is grateful to be contributing to the preservation of authentic dancehall sound clash culture.

"It's a great feeling, and I know we are the next sensation in a clashing business. People in the community know we a one a di best. From yuh touch back dem side, everybody know 'bout we. But really and truly, we are grateful fi Guinness and thank dem fi de exposure," he said.

GSOG 2023 continues with the Kingston leg of the semi-finals today, and culminates with a grand finale on July 7.