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Great Guinness finals showdown set for Mas Camp tomorrow
So, it has come down to this - a sound system led by a veteran Dj, who claims his sole purpose in life is to 'kill' other sounds, will battle a sound system that made its name by doing just that - 'killing' other sounds - all for the title of greatest of sounds.
Come tomorrow night, Sound Trooper plays Bass Odyssey at Mas Camp on Oxford Road for all the marbles - bragging rights for a year, more than a million dollars in cash, and the coveted title of Guinness Sound of Greatness for 2009.
En route to the finals, the Spanish Town-based Sound Trooper despatched City Rock, Jamrock and Black Widdo with relative ease with Ricky Trooper declaring the vanquished didn't have the expertise or the experience to defeat his mighty sound system.
For their part, Bass Odyssey from Alexandria in St. Ann swept aside the highly respected Coppershot, Flava Unit, and giantkillers Bredda Hype. The key to their success, owner Keith Walford said, is that they never underestimate anyone because the rules of the competition levels the playing field significantly.
Guinness Brand Manager Gareth Geddes, at last October's launch of the competition, explained that songs selected for the clashes must be fit to be played on radio. He also said inciting violence or discriminating against any particular group of persons would be prohibited. Though it was not the intention of the organisers to level the playing field, it worked out for the best. "The main aim of the rules was keeping the competition clean, keeping it in line with our marketing code. We unearthed some good talent that pushed some of the other sounds all the way but, in the end, experience and popularity served (the finalists) in good stead."
more than winning
Ricky Trooper is eagerly anticipating this weekend's clash because playing Bass Odyssey in the final is more than just about winning the competition. "Mi no respec' Bass Odyssey. This clash is like a grudge thing," he said of this weekend's battle. Citing bad blood between himself and Bass Odyssey, that has been brewing for more than a decade, Trooper said he has no intention of taking it easy on Saturday. "Me naw go ramp with Bass Odyssey, me just a go mash dem up."
He claims to have been taking it relatively easy throughout the competition thus far, but now that Sound Trooper will be on the big stage, playing a seasoned rival, he plans to ramp up the intensity. "The bigger the opponent the bigger me play," he said. "Everything is going to be different. We are taking it to the ultimate notch. From start to finish, we are going to deal with them wicked. This is a serious dance, no joke this."
Walford is unfazed by Ricky Trooper's bluster. "Ricky on Kilamanjaro was something you would be scared of because they had all those dub plates with Nitty Gritty and Super Cat, but Trooper by himself doesn't really frighten anybody," he said. "I can't remember him doing anything incredible on his own."
He states that he holds no grudge against Trooper even though he (Trooper) disrespected him on the Internet. "We don't carry any bad blood but we don't like his approach," Walford said. "Those who know better, do better."
Keeping details of his plans close to his chest, the Bass Odyssey owner said they are going to do what they have to do to ensure a victory come Saturday. "If there is something we need to do, we are going to do it to win," he said. "We are just going to prepare like we have always done."
Walford said they are anticipating a large crowd at Mas Camp, which he described as Trooper's backyard, but they remain undaunted. Trooper, he said, was afraid to clash with Bass Odyssey in Alexandria but, unlike Trooper, they are prepared to clash at home and abroad.
Geddes is very pleased at the way the competition has unfolded. "We're definitely pleased. We went to more parishes, more venues, more people turned out," he said. "There were no violent incidents, and there has been a clean positive vibe, so it has been good. We're now looking forward to a big final night on Saturday at Mas Camp."
'If there is something we need to do, we are going to do it to win.' - Keith Walford
'Everything is going to be different. We are taking it to the ultimate notch.' - Ricky Trooper
So, it has come down to this - a sound system led by a veteran Dj, who claims his sole purpose in life is to 'kill' other sounds, will battle a sound system that made its name by doing just that - 'killing' other sounds - all for the title of greatest of sounds.
Come tomorrow night, Sound Trooper plays Bass Odyssey at Mas Camp on Oxford Road for all the marbles - bragging rights for a year, more than a million dollars in cash, and the coveted title of Guinness Sound of Greatness for 2009.
En route to the finals, the Spanish Town-based Sound Trooper despatched City Rock, Jamrock and Black Widdo with relative ease with Ricky Trooper declaring the vanquished didn't have the expertise or the experience to defeat his mighty sound system.
For their part, Bass Odyssey from Alexandria in St. Ann swept aside the highly respected Coppershot, Flava Unit, and giantkillers Bredda Hype. The key to their success, owner Keith Walford said, is that they never underestimate anyone because the rules of the competition levels the playing field significantly.
Guinness Brand Manager Gareth Geddes, at last October's launch of the competition, explained that songs selected for the clashes must be fit to be played on radio. He also said inciting violence or discriminating against any particular group of persons would be prohibited. Though it was not the intention of the organisers to level the playing field, it worked out for the best. "The main aim of the rules was keeping the competition clean, keeping it in line with our marketing code. We unearthed some good talent that pushed some of the other sounds all the way but, in the end, experience and popularity served (the finalists) in good stead."
more than winning
Ricky Trooper is eagerly anticipating this weekend's clash because playing Bass Odyssey in the final is more than just about winning the competition. "Mi no respec' Bass Odyssey. This clash is like a grudge thing," he said of this weekend's battle. Citing bad blood between himself and Bass Odyssey, that has been brewing for more than a decade, Trooper said he has no intention of taking it easy on Saturday. "Me naw go ramp with Bass Odyssey, me just a go mash dem up."
He claims to have been taking it relatively easy throughout the competition thus far, but now that Sound Trooper will be on the big stage, playing a seasoned rival, he plans to ramp up the intensity. "The bigger the opponent the bigger me play," he said. "Everything is going to be different. We are taking it to the ultimate notch. From start to finish, we are going to deal with them wicked. This is a serious dance, no joke this."
Walford is unfazed by Ricky Trooper's bluster. "Ricky on Kilamanjaro was something you would be scared of because they had all those dub plates with Nitty Gritty and Super Cat, but Trooper by himself doesn't really frighten anybody," he said. "I can't remember him doing anything incredible on his own."
He states that he holds no grudge against Trooper even though he (Trooper) disrespected him on the Internet. "We don't carry any bad blood but we don't like his approach," Walford said. "Those who know better, do better."
Keeping details of his plans close to his chest, the Bass Odyssey owner said they are going to do what they have to do to ensure a victory come Saturday. "If there is something we need to do, we are going to do it to win," he said. "We are just going to prepare like we have always done."
Walford said they are anticipating a large crowd at Mas Camp, which he described as Trooper's backyard, but they remain undaunted. Trooper, he said, was afraid to clash with Bass Odyssey in Alexandria but, unlike Trooper, they are prepared to clash at home and abroad.
Geddes is very pleased at the way the competition has unfolded. "We're definitely pleased. We went to more parishes, more venues, more people turned out," he said. "There were no violent incidents, and there has been a clean positive vibe, so it has been good. We're now looking forward to a big final night on Saturday at Mas Camp."
'If there is something we need to do, we are going to do it to win.' - Keith Walford
'Everything is going to be different. We are taking it to the ultimate notch.' - Ricky Trooper
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