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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 Sound System Fridays show featured VIP Sound with MC Killa + DJ Spike + Father Kevin… I gotta admit, I didn’t know much about VIP Sound prior to their debut on Reggae Mania Radio – Sound System Fridays. I
remember, it was around 9:15 PM or so and I had my back turned to the door of the studio as I was playing the ‘early warm’ set. Suddenly, my instinct told me to turn around – once I did, I saw the whole VIP crew standing there (with MC Killa wearing a bandana over his face) – it was an impressive moment! After some introductions and handshakes, it was straight to Serato – LOL.
Big Up VIP Sound out of Malton – delivering one of the better Sound System Fridays shows that we’ve seen in some time! This Sound came fully prepared – attitude ‘n all (from the onset, they seemed to put themselves in ‘Sound clash’ mode). They played hi-impact clash chunes that allowed one to see and hear that the Sound had ‘belly’ and were ready to take on any comers inside the clash arena (they called out Outcast Sound). As their trophy states, ‘Kill R Be Killed’!
VIP is a young but humble Sound that was started in 1994 by Father Kevin (Owner), who has now stepped back to allow MC Killa and DJ Spike to be at the forefront and run the Sound. An excellent choice as these two perform and play in perfect synchronicity – a tight delivery that sees all big tunes introduced with precision timing and proper speech. That’s what I rate about a Sound, their ability to execute that well.
Big Up to the artistes who performed – Anthony YNot (Singer) and N’zye (Singjay)! N’zye, big up yuhself! You’re going to go far in this business! Anthony, what can I say, your performance speaks for itself! Big Up Mr. YNot, yuh dun dem with lyrics! Also, Big Ups to Starla (Manager) and Ryan Ismael (Photographer)!
VIP brought ‘real’ vibes in to the studio. They get a Big Up for being the first Sound to think about the marketing and promo aspect of their appearance on Sound System Fridays by bringing their own photographer with them to the show AND for being the first Sound to bring their ‘clash’ trophy to the broadcast – it helped solidify the ‘clash’ spirit in the air! It made for some classic and memorable moments. VIP Sound is a young Sound, yes, but they are confident and possess the right attitude to surge forward in this business – a force to be reckoned with! Enjoy the podcast! What a party!
This SSF show featured DJ Ron Nelson after a no-show by the scheduled sound… Tonight, Sound System Fridays was suppose to feature guest Sound – Vertex, to no avail. I received a call from Breadfruit at 6:30 PM
telling me that the Sound would not be playing tonight as someone spilled coffee on their laptop. Left without sufficient time to book another Sound, I had no choice but to play. I dropped ‘oldies’ for the majority of the show as a tribute to the many styles of tunes that are heard on Sound System Fridays by our guest Sounds every week in the ReggaeManiaRadio studio. I had a good time flexing, but, I got lost in the art of sampling, looping and remixing several tracks. Listening back to the broadcast, it got a little too irritating at times – sorry! Next week, Mystic Sound is at the controls. Enjoy the podcast!
This SSF show featured LION HEART Sound with MC Alfire + DJ Hamma Bones. Special live performances by Gregory Culture, Mally Bless and Elijah… Big Up Lion Heart Sound for reppin’ on Sound System Fridays! I had
seen them compete at GTA CUP CLASH April 15th so I knew what they were capable of. Once they arrived, Hamma (DJ) set up and went straight to work, or should I say play – LOL! For the first forty-five minutes or so, Hamma went solo, dropping big chunes and dubs. He really loves his music, it’s evident in his performance – he moves to his riddims, speaking of…he is one of the few DJs that remains loyal to the craft of DJing – he uses CD’s instead of Serato (world leading software for digital DJing).
As good as he was, I much preferred hearing Lion Heart Sound once Alfire (MC) joined the mix. He has an aggressive MC stylee, but, it’s controlled – if that makes any sense. He knows how to bring it and when. Alfire knew he wasn’t in a Sound clash, but, at times he was not afraid to put out Sound clash vibes. He’s a versatile MC – ready for ‘clash’ vibes at any time, or comfortable jus’ juggling for the ladies.
Lion Heart Sound is a Champion Sound hailing from Scarborough, only ten years young, they’ve already made a dent in the Dancehall Scene. With them, ‘almost’ anything goes’ when it comes to dropping sweet Reggae music and crucial dubs. One thing I would advise Lion Heart Sound to do, is to invest in a Sound FX Sampler – it can go a long way when it comes to filling in the gaps and it’ll create total chaos inside the studio and out.
Big Ups also go out to Gregory Culture – one of the featured guest artistes (who is also a top promoter) of the night who showed us his skills on the mic – making all the ol’ skool MCs feel good about themselves! He is ol’ skool, so, to some, his style may seem outdated, but, his delivery is bang on, his lyrical creativity is genius and his live performance was flawless, not to mention entertaining.
Big Up Mally Bless (dressed in blue with the shades on), he had lyrics galore and showed signs of becoming a great MC of the future! Last but not least, Big Ups to Elijah and Bones who performed as well! All of these artistes left the listening and viewing audience wanting more. Get your fix, download the podcast and/or view the show on Ustream. Enjoy! Next up on Sound System Fridays, Rosa and Rufus of Soul-2-Soul.
This SSF show featured Toronto’s SOUL-2-SOUL Sound with MC Rufus + DJ Grand Master Rosa… Rosa’s been in the Sound system business for decades, yet he still stands strong in today’s Reggae and Dancehall
Scene. Soul 2 Soul is Canada’s longest running Reggae Sound system that is still very active and plays worldwide. I give this Sound respect as they are constantly rebranding themselves to stay relevant where as so many other Sound systems seem to fade away or are forced to retire.
Soul 2 Soul has many reasons to brag and boast, including being the sole Canadian agent/rep. for Jamaica’s Stone Love Sound and for having one of the best quality mobile professional audio/sound systems available for hire in North America, not to mention owning their own eatery – Turntable Restaurant & Lounge in Mississauga. Although they are not a ‘clash’ Sound, they have nuff dubs to make them relevant in a market suitable for the older more mature audiences, even though Soul 2 Soul will tell you they’re equipped to play anytime, anyplace and anywhere.
Soul 2 Soul is truly a versatile Sound and depending upon who’s at the controls (Rosa, Rufus or Ian The Mixmaster), people will be in for a real treat hearing a style that’s a little different from the rest. I can honestly say, Rosa has dubs that no other Sounds have (thanks to his connections), listen and you’ll understand what I’m talking about. This proves the point that dubs styled for juggling can be as entertaining as those crafted for war, people just need more opportunities to showcase their dubs to the massive other than just Sound clash.
Thanks to Soul 2 Soul (Grand Master Rosa & Rufus) for representing on Sound System Fridays! They wanted to stress the music so there wasn’t any non-stop mic talking that we’re usually accustomed to. Personally though, I like the ‘MC’ vibes, I think it helps ‘define’ a Sound – without an MC, it can get pretty boring at times. Having said that, I wish Rufus took to the mic more, when he did, he really didn’t have that much to say (from a radio point of view) other than the same ol’ that you’d hear in an ‘early warm’ set at a local dance.
Aside from arriving late, the show went off without a hitch. Some of the older heads in this business will enjoy and appreciate what they hear. Check out my interview with Rosa, you’ll really get to know history. Big Up Spragga Roots for passin’ through! 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.
