About
Reggae sound systems first appeared in Jamaica in the 1950s. Sounds as Sir Coxsones Downbeat Ruler and Duke Reid would set up at opposite ends of the same street, featuring the latest American r&b tunes, as well as the first Jamaican produced ska and rocksteady records. Whoever had the better sound quality and musical selection would obviously draw the larger crowd. This resulted in a form of competition that laid the foundation for todays soundclashes, which are currently witnessing a huge resurgence of popularity in the New York City area, rural Jamaica, Japan as well as in Europe. In a soundclash, two or more sounds play for an audience, which over the course of an entire night determines a champion by voicing its approval or disapproval.
