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Welcome to Sound System Fridays — Canada’s first and premiere online Reggae-Dancehall show featured the best in local and international Reggae and Dancehall Sound Systems, Dee-Jays and Artistes playing and performing live every Friday from the ReggaeMania studios at Brimley Rd. & Highway #401 in Scarborough. Picking up from where CKLN Friday Night ReggaeMania left off, Sound System Fridays was video-steamed and broadcast live every Fridays 9 PM – Midnight on U-Stream, iTunes and ReggaeMania.com for all to enjoy. Unfortunately U-Stream was sold and we did not back-up our videos – still hurts. But, you can see the Pics, listen -download the complete Audio archives, and read the show reviews.
Click here to see the complete 2012 – 2014 Schedule for Sound System Fridays. Turn On, Tune In – ReggaeMania – Sound System Fridays…madd!
This SSF show featured America’s LP INTERNATIONAL Sound with DJ Polly Famous ‘The General’ + DJ Richie. Special live performances by Terminal DG and Jah Youth... It’s often said that Toronto, Canada is
home to many of the world’s finest dancehall clash Sounds. Now, as we approach the first half of the year, we can say with certainty, that, not only are we the ‘home’ to the best Sounds, but, we’re also home to the most lethal dancehall MC in the business – Polly Famous TheGeneral alongside his partner in crime – Richie, masters at the controls. They represent the Canadian body of LP International and have full authority to kill anything that stands in their way, literally!
Many of us here have watched Polly Famous grow and mature into his current role – a great mic talker/selector. He fought hard with King Klepto, a Sound he’d been with since 2002, but, musically speaking, the dubplate arsenal possessed by King Klepto was not of the same caliber as Polly and his MC skills. It might be fair to say…in retrospect, if winning clashes were based on MC skills alone, then Polly Famous The General would have a few more trophies sitting in the Klepto showcase.
So when rumours hit the streets that Polly Famous was getting offers from other Sounds Stateside, Canada was stumped, we had not seen anything like this before. King Sharp joining King Turbo doesn’t count. Part of the “Canadian” experience is having to witness foreigners coming here, stealing away ‘our’ best talent by recruiting and signing them. It’s been happening for years in Hip-hop and R&B and now, for the first time in the dancehall – a Canadian MC/DJ team has been recruited by a Sound that has stood firm since 1982 – LP International representing Canada, USA and Germany.
It was in April when Polly Famous got the call from Father Gary (owner) officially inviting Polly and Richie to be ‘official’ LP members. Father Gary had already checked Polly out at a small showcase dance back in February (NYC) where King Klepto lost to Camouflage. However, one should credit Noe Dawn, another member of LP as he was the real scout. He recognized Polly and Richie’s talent and their potential and brought up the idea to Father Gary about expanding the LP brand to rep Canada. Official LP International killers are…Puma – owner (Germany), Killer D (USA), Noe Dawn (USA), Junior Killer (USA), Ryan Shotta (USA), Chalice (USA), Polly Famous (Canada) and Richie (Canada).
The move to LP International from King Klepto is still something a lot of us here are having difficulty accepting. Just when people were starting to say that the ‘Sound clash’ business may be in danger of going extinct, we see sounds like LP International expanding, this shortly after America’s King Addies had signed to Irish and Chin management, hence becoming the next Sound to stand beside Japan’s Mighty Crown exclusively managed by Irish and Chin. Hmmm…I wonder who’s next?
Today, Polly and Richie are like two kids in a candy store – they are overwhelmed with joy as they play the LP dub box. After years of sound system frustration, they are now in a musical wonderland. It’s just a matter of time before the killing starts to become thrilling and for the Sounds abroad to start to fret!
Polly Famous and Richie are ready for war! Granted, there will be some adjustments for them both as they continue to study and learn the LP dub box on a daily basis. All this Sound needs is some experience – some wins, some losses. Let’s look at the Canadian branch of LP in a year’s time and see where things stand. Remember mi tell you – Polly Famous (as an MC) is a game changer, just like Drake was to the Hip-hop scene. I think Polly Famous is that good and I predict the Sound clash scene will be altered because of what he will bring to the table within the next few years! He has an answer for everything and has a real understanding of the history and understands the business side of things too. Polly’s the best in game right now – he can play the machine, talk the mic, instill fear into an opponent one minute, then say something funny that makes an entire audience break out in laughter the next, he’s funnier than Panther (Black Kat).
Oh yeah, as for Sound System Fridays…Listen! and Watch! for yourselves. LP International didn’t miss a beat! It was a musical onslaught that spared nobody, including adversaries King Turbo (King Sharp and Spex), Super Fresh, Brutes Man, Twin Star, Tasha Rozez, Rebel Tone and many more. Musically speaking, Polly and Richie played it all leaving the critics speechless and the chat room members scrambling for cards to draw about LP’s performance.
Big Up Terminal DG and Jah Youth as well! Both were excellent in their performances and solid on the mic and at times even joined by Polly Famous himself – who knew? LOL! Also, Big Up Big G! – the first to arrive at the Reggae Mania Radio studio and Big Up the photographer who was in the house too! – sorry!, I forgot your name. Last but not least, Big Up the LP International fam for giving Polly and Richie an opportunity in a business where opportunities are few! If this was a test for your newly recruited selectors, they passed it with flying colours and are ready for world sound system domination. This show became the most viewed show since Sound System Fridays started. By 9:24 PM, the old record had been smashed and by Midnight, the old record had doubled for people listening simultaneously. That’s a good look for Canada and the USA. Nuff said people – Listen! Watch! and Download! – Enjoy the Podcast!
This SSF show featured ROYALTY Sound with MC Thunder + DJ Rock Star…Royalty Sound is the youngest Sound to have graced the ReggaeManiaRadio studio since the inception of Sound System Fridays. This fairly
young two-man crew, made up of owner/MC Thunder (formerly of King Levi Sound) and DJ Rock Star, charged through the doors at a pretty good pace (musically speaking) just a few minutes after 9 PM. They were young, but eager, and judging from their dubs, appeared to have spent some serious money in their one-year existence.
Royalty went hard for two consecutive hours delivering Mavado, Sizzla, Luciano, Pinchers, Shabba, Cocoa Tea, Merciless, Bounty Killer and more. Everything seemed to be going well in the early stages of the show. MC Thunder spent a lot of his ‘mic’ time promoting Royalty’s willingness to ‘clash’ any sound, anytime, anyplace, anywhere – especially LP International (Big Up Polly, Richie and the rest of the crew!).
Clearly, we’re talking about two different LP ‘leagues’ here, but you couldn’t tell that to Royalty. Thunder and Rock Star really do believe that they have what it takes to stand up to the mighty LP in a clash despite being a year old. All night, they kept ‘dissing’ Polly Famous The General (formerly of King Klepto) for jumping from one sound to another and for not owning his own sound.
From the start, Royalty showed disrespect for Canada’s senior sounds by constantly referring to them as, yes, “dinosaur” sounds. It was an interesting strategy on their part, it was clear that they were looking for someone to ‘book’ them on their first ‘official’ clash – their hard work and dedication for the first two hours was almost like a ‘clash’ audition – warmongering ‘n all.
We should note that our ReggaeManiaRadio chat room listeners and viewers usually don’t mind if a sound brags and boasts or disses other sounds while showcasing on Sound System Fridays, it’s the sound clash way, but, they better have the chunes and speech to back it up. This is where Royalty ran into problems… At one point in the broadcast (10:08 PM), Royalty dropped “Odd Ras” (Nah Follow Nobody) – a Chronixx dub. Now, nuff sounds have dropped this during Sound System Fridays, but, let it play out, Royalty seemed to race through it like it was nothing. Our chat room ‘splice police’ (LOL) wouldn’t give it a pass, calling it a “splice” and “carbon” tune.
This accusation distracted MC Thunder (he was keeping abreast of the chat room throughout the night) – which threw him off his game. I found it to be funny, but, Thunder didn’t – he cussed the chat room community using words that I won’t repeat here. He was convinced that the aforementioned comments came from a bunch of badminded soundmen that just have no love for Royalty Sound. Then, Polly Famous called in, supporting the show, but asking me to personally educate Royalty about playing “splice” and “carbon” chunes.
We asked Royalty to drop the Chronixx dub again later on in the show – that didn’t stop the chat room comments from flooding in – people in the chat room were unforgiving and even more convinced, that the tune in question, was indeed a “splice” tune. Royalty’s feathers were ruffled – near the 11 o’clock mark, they made their situation worse by stating that they would “punish” the people in the chat room by strictly playing 45’s and if you (the listening and viewing audience) wanted to hear more of their dubs, you could ‘book’ them for a ‘clash’ where they would be ‘willing to deliver’. (Thunder later confided that the playing of the 45’s was all part of their plan – they knew that some promoters would be listening and they wanted to show them that they were capable of juggling.)
Royalty played a few more dubs before the end of the show, but, the chat room had dun called them out for “running out of tunes”. Big Up the people in the chat room still, but, sounds can play whatever they want, when they want on Sound System Fridays – you guys ‘n gyals are upping the ante, pressuring the sounds to play all dub plates. We’ll keep an eye on Royalty and see how they’re doing in a year from now. Next week, the ‘original’ Lexus Supreme hosts Sound System Fridays. Enjoy the Podcast!
This SSF show featured LEXUS SUPREME with MC-DJ Dice Locke + MC-DJ Bling + MC-DJ Alex Frass + Shaka Lexus + Mucky B… In playoff games, they say that the team that makes the “best adjustments” wins.
Lexus Supreme has a history of transitioning through time – meaning they are constantly changing the framework of their sound in hopes of finding that perfect match. Today, as a new crop of young Sounds infiltrate the Toronto dancehall scene, Lexus Supreme (origin of birth – Jamaica, proudly reppin’ Canada since 2002) suddenly find themselves in the same league as Toronto’s veteran Sounds – how time flies, it seems like it was only yesterday that we saw Lexus making their mark in Toronto for some of the ‘earliest’ Ron Nelson Productions clashes.
The Sound System Fridays listeners and viewers were treated to a superior version of Lexus Supreme featuring MC/DJ Bling, MC/DJ Dyce Locke and MC/DJ Alex Frass – newest member (members Mark and Stubs were absent) – three different MC’s and DJ’s step-pin’ up to the plate – this was an interesting concept and a first on Sound System Fridays! I didn’t realize that Bling played the Sound (he looked totally comfortable) as well as managing it.
Dyce Locke was riveting – he doesn’t even have to try, he’s a natural! No shouting and screaming or having to put on a ‘mean’ face when chatting badness – making what’s ‘hard’ appear ‘easy’. He is feisty, offensive and rude, yet, he’s entertaining. I noticed that he was having the most fun. Dyce was recruited from King Turbo a few years ago and is a great fit for Lexus Supreme and their solid dub arsenal. It’s amazing how knowledgeable and comfortable he’s become with the Lexus Supreme movement and their dub box in the last two years.
There’s one more point to be made about Lexus Supreme. Big Up Bling for ‘setting up’ the house of Lexus Supreme with his latest venture – ‘power teams’, a move designed to make them ‘compete’ – a force to be reckoned with! There’s a lot of competition out there, let me explain…first, our own PollyFamous (formerly King Klepto) gets drafted by LP International (USA), then Toronto selector Frazah C-Lection officially joins Madd Squad (USA), Diamond, who plays with Stone Love (JA), lives in Toronto, Blaxz Dun Da Place is now playing for Super Gold Sound, Kirk (Riddla) plays with Exodus Nuclear outta Hamilton, King Sharpe (formerly Desert Storm) was drafted by King Turbo, DJ D’Eazy (Lexus Superior) has switched to Super Fresh and the list goes on.
Now, meet Alex Frass, formerly of Jamaica’s Swatch International, and the latest member of Lexus Supreme. I’ve not heard Alex play Lexus before, but, it was a treat watching this man take control of his new Sound. Alex, just like Dyce Locke, is a natural on the mic and behind the controls. Adding him was a good look for Lexus. Alex definitely adds a spark to the Sound and has a great sense of humour. He’s smooth and very articulate when it comes to speeches and he possesses a ‘big’ Sound attitude. His vibe, to me added ‘outer-national’ to Lexus Supreme’s performance – you need to listen/watch for yourself.
Overall, Lexus Supreme played like a big Sound! The vibe was nice from the beginning ’til the end – it was like being in a dance nuff niceness! Big Up artistes Shaka Lexus and Mucky B! Enjoy the Podcast! Next week’s guest Sound…Supa Bass!
This SSF show featured Supa Bass didn’t do too bad on Friday Night, but, it was clear from their performance that they could have done better. Talk to Fadda Bass (the one and only MC and DJ for Supa Bass) and he’ll be
the first one to admit this. Things didn’t kick off at 9 PM as scheduled as Supa Bass was running late and didn’t start playing until 10 PM. Off to a rocky start, Fadda Bass – a former selector for USA’s Super Gold Sound rolled through a vast selection of dubs – decent chunes still, but, lacked in presentation (mixing and mic skills) for a smooth delivery. At times it seemed as though he lost his momentum as the show progressed. He did leave the chat room populace wanting more – specific requests for ‘new’ riddims came in, but, he couldn’t deliver as he…
As a selector, Fadda Bass sounds nice – he has a rich voice and a potentially rude attitude! He later admitted to me that when he plays alongside his DJ, he’s even ‘better’ at his craft, but viewers weren’t told about any other partner in Supa Bass. I still loved the way he sounded when he did talk the mic. I found myself running interference by encouraging Fadda Bass to talk more. At times, I knew the dubs weren’t working on their own, and perhaps because he, unlike most sounds playing on Sound System Fridays, did not arrive with a ‘bag a man’, just one solo artist who stayed in the background throughout the show until it was his time to shine. His name is Turmo Heights, and he would be the lone special artists that would perform on behalf of Supa Bass Sound.
I’d never seen Turmo Heights perform before, but, I was extremely impressed. I thought how cool it was that an artiste can just come in and save a middle of the road Sound System Fridays. Maybe I’m giving this artiste too much ratings, but, I love to spot raw talent! Turmo Heights was ON and his vibes were effortless as he rhymed in a style similar but not equal to Aidonia. He was refreshing! A true original – natural and raw on the lyrical front, qualifying him to become a successful recording artist. I will go on record as saying…Turmo Heights will rise to become one of Toronto’s best new artistes! Enjoy the podcast!
Welcome to DJRONNELSON.COM. My name is Ron Nelson. I am a Canadian recording artist and promotional urban shift-shaker based in Toronto, that is my legacy, and I am happy to share my life story with you on this website. I hope you learn and enjoy.
