REGGAE NEWS
Bass Odyssey wins Sound Clash
Bass Odyssey is Sumfest 2022 Global Sound Clash Winner
July 22, 2022
On July 21st in Montego Bay, thousands of music lovers witnessed international sound system Bass Odyssey won the 2022 Reggae Sumfest Global Sound Clash. The sound from country secured the title after a grueling battle in the best of 10, dub-fi-dub round, beating defending champion Warrior Sound from Germany. Bass Odyssey walked away with the trophy, $350,000 in cash ($100,000 from sponsors Sunshine Snacks) and bragging rights for a year. Warrior Sound received $150,000 for their second-place finish, while third place went to Silver Hawk, who many thought would have been the winner, receive $100,000.
With Exodus Nuclear, Mystic and Silver Hawk already eliminated, the two dancehall gladiators fiercely battle it out in the dub-for-dub with Bass Odyssey gaining a commanding 5-0 lead; Warrior Sound made it interesting by reeling off four consecutive wins. However, Bass Odyssey used experience and home court advantage to secure the final dub-for-dub in the best-of-10 contest. The crowd was in frenzy as Bass Odyssey captured their votes with a vicious Bounty Killer dub, after Mattia of Warrior Sound played a combination of Beenie Man and Bounty Killer. Warrior Sound almost got eliminated as organizers ruled that teams who had broken the profanity rule too many times would be automatically dismissed from the competition. Warrior violated the rules on more than one occasion but was saved by the bell as the crowd protested and was reinstated.
Warrior sound was the last to win the sound clash in 2019, before the COVID-19-induced two-year hiatus. Downsound Entertainment (organizers of the Global Sound Clash), had a 30-second moment of silence for Merciless, the dancehall entertainer who died earlier that week. The crowd showed their respect to the fallen dancehall soldier by turning on the flashlights on their phones during the 30 seconds.