Sharon 'DJ Treasure" Aaron
June 2024
The 2nd Annual Dubs on the Block produced by Happy Timez Entertainment was another success despite the rain showers that caused a rain delay Sunday, June 30th. The showers and lightning gave a nice aesthetic to the backdrop of the rugged 90's Brooklyn Street in Brownsville. A few hundred of people were in attendance at the annual block festival that brought out New York City's sound system veteran and younger generation alike. Experienced selectors and younger sounds were able to display short sets due to time constraints as the evening continued on. With a few slated words and sharp dubs being brandished. Third World, Bounty Killer, Capleton, and the infamous Taranchyla customs were played as the crowd fully enjoyed themselves in sound system unity. It was not booked as a clash but a juggling event, some would even say somewhat hardcore. Selectors from the tristate area joined in unity for an afternoon of musical unity. Food and refreshments were provided free by the promoters as a give back to he community for their support at their two business locations. Also the current management and owners of Cultcha Palace a concert and event venue located in East Flatbush Brooklyn, the promoters were happy to take the time to work with local sound systems from generations of the past and some of the current clash league. "It is our second time having this. We plan to do this again next year with a seperate event for just the kids and families." said Jamel Marcus one half of the duo team.
Although this was not like the Redbull Clash that has since adopted sound system culture clashes like those mentioned in Pat Meschino's Billboard article it was somewhat competitive. One has to be ready to commit to the dubplate game which is a expensive hobby and career if you want to be a sound system clash DJ. Once upon a time dubplates were on cut on vinyl but in 2024 a MacBook can carry many more on a hard drive as versus traveling to a gig with vinyl records. The sound system culture is alive and well and was on full display at this year's event.
Meschino, P (2015, December 15) . From Reid to Red Bull: Inside the Business of Jamaican Sound System Clashes (n.d.-a). https://advance-lexis-com.oclc.fullsail.edu/document/?pdmfid=1516831&crid=d683a2af-db20-4de8-bcac-01bfd99c6e80&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fnews%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A5HRR-SXB1-JC8J-420P-00000-00&pdcontentcomponentid=5545&pdteaserkey=sr7&pditab=allpods&ecomp=h6yyk&earg=sr7&prid=8fac84c7-23f5-4cb2-9ffb-d342793740df
Parkin, C. (2022, April 8). How Jamaican soundsystem culture conquered music. Red Bull. https://www.redbull.com/us-en/how-jamaican-soundsystem-culture-conquered-music
How to master the Dubplate Game: A Step by Step Guide. VICE. (2015, September 17). https://www.vice.com/en/article/qkakad/how-to-master-the-dubplate-game-a-step-by-step-guide
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