issue 1 : jamaica
In Jamaican culture, a soundsystem is a group of DJ’s, engineers and MCs playing Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae and Dancehall music. The sound system is an important part of Jamaican culture. The sound system concept first became popular in the 1950s, in the ghettos of Kingston. DJs would load up a truck with a generator, turntables, and huge speakers and set up street parties. In the beginning, the DJs played American rhythm and blues, but as time progressed and more local music was created, the sound migrated to a local flavor.
Passa Passa Passa Passa is a weekly street party originating in Kingston, Jamaica. It is reported to have begun on Ash Wednesday in 2003, with the name being coined by Carl Shelley. The dance is reknowned for its Dancehall music. It has spread throughout the Caribbean and started in Colon City in Panama and later it spread to Puerto Rico. It is most similarly related to a block party. The Passa Passa usually gets started around 1am and has been known to continue long after sunrise. Passa Passa Worldwide.
sister nancy
Ophlin Russell aka Sister Nancy is regarded as the world first female dancehall Dj. Her record Bam Bam was released in 1982 and according to billboard it is amongst the contenders for the most sampled reggae record of all time.
dancehall Queen Carlene Smith is Jamaica’s first Dancehall Queen. She was crowned Dancehall Queen in 1992 after she and her crew competed against well known dancers and models across Jamaica. There had been other Dancehall Queens prior to her win but she captured the essence of the nation like no other before her.
Siren Sound Radio The Siren, the bellowing noise that stop you in your tracks and makes you stand to attention. Disrupting your daily routine with imposing order. Much like the air horn in Jamaican dancehall culture, or that sound effect which has played on hip hop radio stations for what seems like centuries. It’s a sound that’s heard regardless. Were here with no intention of being imposing, we just adore the idea of disrupting normality, to give the otherwise overlooked a platform, a voice. We want our content to be loud & proud, unapologetic, and respecting of all cultures. We want people to embrace stories which wouldn’t normally have been heard and give a renewedvoice to tales of the past. We like to sample, much like the great artists and musicians of the modern era and the era before them. After all, no ideas original. Were just here to make some noise.
Wilfred Limonious Born in 1949, Wilfred became widely known as one of Jamaica’s most influential illustrators and graphic designers. Coined the king of ‘Dancehall Art’ his style mapped the energy of the Jamaican music scene, showings its colour, vibrancy and character. Starting out in the early 70’s, Limonious used traditional pencil line drawings but later adopted his signature cartoon style. Often recreating typography by hand, he formed a name for himself throughout the Jamaican music scene, and was known to be one of the fastest designers in the industry at the time. Completing album jackets in less than a day his body of work amassed over 300 record covers. He passed in 1999 at aged 50, leaving behind his inspiring work.
his signature cartoon style
wilfreds hand rendered logos
Sign of the times Treasuring signage is a livelihood for Maxine Walters, she has fell in love with collecting signage throughout Jamaica, drawn in by their bright colours and hand rendered lettering. Maxine has collected over 4000 signs. She has exhibited her collection in New York and Cuba, and has documented her findings in a 200-page book ‘Serious Things A Go Happen.’ The book is an amalgamation of posters and signage from the early 1980s until modern times. Treated by people of Jamaica as a way of life, until recently, there has been no critical attention to the artistry and craft of these typographical works. The book is a start to that process and sheds some light on the creativity on show throughout Jamaica.
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reggae & dancehall october grime & UkG November tbc...