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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 BLACK MAGIC with MC Cutthroat + DJ Wiggum’s… Big Up Black Magic Sound for their appearance on Sound System Fridays last Friday night. Originally out of Brooklyn, with a division in
Texas, Black Magic has expanded their outfit to include Canada in their quest for Sound System domination. Black Magic arrived late for some reason and started playing just before 10 PM. I keep having to explain to the Sounds that show up late that this is a three hour show and showing up late and playing two-thirds or less effects the stamina of the Sound as well as their difficulty. Black Magic Sound went straight to work and dropped their first intro. The crew was MC Cutthroat alongside Streetz and DJ Wiggums of Canada’s Embassy Promo, absent was Father Derek (the owner) and other member Scarry.
Overall, Black Magic’s performance was decent. They had enough dubs to take them through the final two hours without any problems and presented a good variety of chunes proving that they were not to be underestimated despite being a relatively new Sound in T-dot. The combination of (MC) Cutthroat and (DJ) Wiggums worked well – they have good chemistry and the dubs were clean sounding and authentic. I don’t really have any complaints and the people in the chat room were happy, but, if i had to come with some constructive criticism, it would be this Sound putting little to no emphasis on ‘new’ dubplate chunes. It would’ve been nice and refreshing to hear some new chunes from some hot new artistes a la Chronixx.
One more thing…Black Magic Sound failed to deliver an artiste to perform live. Sounds who agree to do Sound System Fridays are obliged to provide an artiste(s) of their choice to perform live – this fosters innovation, creativity and talent within our Sound clash and Reggae and Dancehall fraternity and it also helps to promote them – get the word out. It’s great for International exposure too as ReggaeManiaRadio – SoundSystemFridays reach is worldwide! Unfortunately, there was no artiste(s) live and direct in studio, but, we did receive a live call from Josey Wales and Yami Bolo advertising their upcoming Toronto gig on Saturday night at SVG Nightclub.
Overall, this edition of SSF was pretty good and Black Magic were true to their name – in the sense that they called out certain Sounds names, letting them know that Black Magic is ready, willing and able to clash and/or juggle anytime…Enjoy the Podcast!
This SSF show featured GHETTO STAR with DJ Triton + FIRESQUAD – DJ Mawga K… Born in the early 90’s, Ghetto Star is a Sound that represents ‘all’ of T-dot’s uptown areas according to MC/DJ (DeeJay) Troyton.
Missing tonight from ‘the crew’ would be Fadda Mugzie, Spankie, Damian Vibes and MC Crazy Bigz. Ghetto Star would be represented by MC DeeJay Troyton on this broadcast of Sound System Fridays. He arrived late and didn’t start playing until 10 PM, one hour later than the scheduled start time of 9 PM.
Ghetto Star fumbled their start. Their presentation of dubs was sporadic and it was only when DeeJay Troyton finally touched the mic (about forty-five minutes in) that vibes finally ‘tun up’, well, to a degree. That wasn’t their only issue, there was a problem with their dubs (for a string of about half an hour), many sounded flat and lacked bass – they appeared not to have been cut properly. The sizzling highs (hi-hats) were missing which prompted some listeners and viewers to take to the chat room to say that they thought that they were listening to a cassette, questioning the sound quality and asking us here at ReggaeManiaRadio to turn up our bass. Troyton would later confess to me (off mic) that some of their dubs were converted from old plates to digital and were not done professionally, hence, the flat sound. So why did he play these dubs I wonder?…
Aside from the aforementioned, their performance was ‘up and down’ – the mixing was inconsistent, sloppy and at times boring. There was a noticeable difference in Ghetto Star’s performance when Troyton worked the mic. He showed signs of being a very talented and entertaining MC. If he had worked the mic from the beginning of the show, the vibes would have been better as the MC ‘distraction’ would have provided a cover effect to help the Sound get through the quality of dubs issue that presented itself earlier. Troyton is symbolic of many of Toronto’s selectors – very talented and possesses potential.
Bless Up Ghetto Star for your performance on Sound System Fridays still, I’m sure next time around, you will take advantage of the opportunity that is given and do a show that surpasses your capabilities! Perhaps you had an off-night. One thing to note…things would have gwaan better had they invited and brought an artiste(s) to perform (it takes pressure off of having to play dubs for three hours) and if their Selector Bigz had been there – he adds ‘fyah’ to the Sound. I’ve never known Ghetto Star as a one man crew, so for reasons some of us may not know, members failed to show and the Sound missed out on an hour to shine (says Troyton about his late arrival – “I’m a father…I had to take care of my kids, make sure they were in bed.”).
Big Up Mawga K of Firesquad Sound as well! This Montreal Sound did a short set after the Midnight hour, but mainly passed through to promote the annual Montreal International Reggae Festival that takes place in August. All in all, it was short, but sweet! Firesquad shot it down for twenty minutes playing quality Firesquad dub plates (immediately noticeable by the chat room folk who were quick to comment “the bass is back!”) followed by an interview. Firesquad’s set actually provided some relief on this Friday Night.
After the show ‘officially’ ended, I experimented with a new toy that I recently purchased allowing us to put callers live on-air. I spoke with artiste Terminal DG and a female named Keisha. Enjoy the Podcast! Next weeks Sound – Bassline!
This SSF show featured BASSLINE with MC Big Dawg + MC Luke. Live performances by Erupt, Sample King, Mally Bless, Elijah, Cyberg and Tonya P… Congratulations to Bassline Sound for delivering one of the most
action packed shows that we’ve seen on ReggaeMania.com since Sound System Fridays started! Big Up Big Dog (DJ) and (MC) Lukie! I’m not sure who should get the credit for putting this show together, but, along with Bassline, we have to big up their entourage of over twenty people – guests and friends along for the ride! With a house full of artistes, soundmen, friends and VIPs, this made for a gr-r-reat night!
The first thing I was impressed with was this Sound’s early arrival. They broke the developing ‘trend’ of Sounds arriving late for their show. There were no technical problems to speak of during this broadcast – this is where the ‘early’ arrival time comes into play. The earlier you arrive, the better. This extra time allows the Sound to get familiar with the lay of the land (studio), set up and to anticipate and solve any technical problems beforehand rather than being crippled by them during the live broadcast.
Previous to the show, I didn’t know much about Bassline Sound other than the fact that they had participated in a Sound clash. I admit I didn’t have too high of expectations for what was likely a young Sound trying to ‘prove’ their worth. I’ve got to give credit where credit is due – Bassline Sound took off running from the time they dropped their first dubplate until the last one played. Not only did they pace themselves well, they played professionally too!
Big Dog spent the first forty-five minutes getting comfortable with the sound before Lukie cut in taking control of the mic. Lukie’s confidence, combined with his deep voice and his laid back style made a perfect match for Big Dog’s dub selections. Bassline Sound was (as they described) a “bad” Sound! The spirit of Sound clash was definitely in the air.
Bassline may have made their entry into the Canadian market only four years ago, but, they have been cutting dubs for over twelve years now in anticipation of entering the Sound system/Sound clash market. Until that time came, someone had a business plan in mind…working in stealth mode, strategically planning, cutting and creating dubs – welcome Bassline. Big Up Lukie for having the hindsight, insight and foresight!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that this Sound is perfect or even on the same level as today-elite Sounds like Super Fresh, King Turbo or the Rootsman, I am merely stating that they have promise and I recognize talent when I see it. At times their musical presentation was a bit choppy, but, as time went by, it got smoother. Older Sounds will criticize the fact that their vintage dubs go ‘deeper’, but, a young Sound vs an old Sound is sometimes refreshing. Listen and judge for yourself! Big Up Bassline Sound for their effort still!
Bassline Sound also gets props for delivering a plethora of performing artistes, who, by the way, tore things up! First of all, Big Up to Mr. “Click Mi Finger” and “Roll With Me” – Jamaica’s own, Erup! An honour and a pleasure to have him grace the ReggaeManiaRadio studio. I loved how he vibed with everyone – this night, his celebrity status was a non-issue. He hasn’t lost his edge either, he still comes with the most creative Dancehall lyrics that I’ve heard in a long time.
Big Up Sample King, Elijah, Mally Bless (Sons of the Most High), Cyberg and Tanya P who performed, as well and to anyone else I might have forgotten! I must admit, it was nice having a beautiful songstress in the studio to balance up the ‘bag a man’ and DJs!
Big Up all the guest Sounds – Lionheart, Silver Bullet (Sniper), Roots Man (Gary) and Hollow Point Sound (Dino and Hype Rass)! Big Up promoters Rally Benz, Gary (Jamaican Boys) and Benjamin! Sound System Fridays – what a party! (no one warned me, LOL), vibes were nice and everyone that was drinking handled their alcohol – a big man ting! Listen and/or watch the show! – pay particular attention to the interview (near the end of the show), you’ll gain insight to Bassline’s philosophies and the people behind the Sound. Next week we welcome…Diplomat Sound!
This SSF show featured LP INTERNATIONAL with DJ Polly Famous ‘The General’ + Mega. Live performance by Puppi Chapanore… Diplomat was booked in advance and was suppose to be our guest Sound for Friday’s
broadcast of Sound System Fridays, but, with little notice, I received a call from DJ D.O.C. informing me that they would have to cancel due to a last minute booking (paid gig) at Luxy and that they would like to reschedule at a later date. He then told me that he had arranged for Super Fresh (Prophet + Milo) and LP International (Polly) to replace his Sound. Cool! The pressure was off and I was looking forward to the combination of these two Sounds playing together.
Super Fresh was a no-show (for reasons unexplained) and LP International’s Polly Famous was fine with that. When it comes to playing, Polly is like a kid in a candy store. By the end of the show, he had struck up a deal with Mega to do the ‘early warm’ for the Dub Fi Dub – Young Hawk vs Soul Survival clash. Good for Polly who bragged and boasted about not repeating any material from his earlier appearance on Sound System Fridays (06.07.13) and stayed true to his word. His box runs deep!
Hearing LP’s dubs is always a treat! There’s not much I can say when it comes to reviewing this show. Polly is a showman and is one of the best in the business. He just needs his dubs and a mic and he’s set to go – be prepared to either laugh or boil over, it all depends on Polly’s mood as he is playing. The cheering, jabbing and offending is all part and parcel of the Polly Famous experience.
And yes, Polly calls every Sounds name – whether good or bad, and no, no one is spared! He fearlessly and effortlessly challenges them to respond, even going as far as inviting them down to the ReggaeManiaRadio studio, if they dared, right then and there. It’s as almost as if he’s looking for instant action! Mostly throughout the show, Polly was preoccupied with promoting his own Sound clash – Call Di Undataker of which I will be hosting. For Polly, this clash has already started – he needn’t reserve one speech…LOL.
In the end maybe it was for the best that Super Fresh didn’t show up, this allowed Polly freedom to create and totally immerse himself in his craft, he even dropped a few lyrics here and there too – woi!!! There were a few guests in the studio, Big Up Michael ‘Stullarific’ Hazel and his friend – longtime fans and supporters of ReggaeMania and Sound System Fridays as well as Mega (Promoter) and the others! All in all, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. 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.
