JAMWORLD MOVEMENTS MAGAZINE

"An Intellectual Approach to Caribbean Music & Culture"

WORLD CLASH 1999 - CLASH ANALYSIS

By Prince Tuffie The Clash Analyst!

Features Round by Round Analysis w/ Pictures!!

Pictures Courtesy of Lisa West outta Reggaemania and cannot be copied without explicit written permission from Reggaemania.

TiP: START READING AS THE PICTURES LOAD, THEN LOOK BACK!

Listen to World Clash 99 Dub-Fi-Dub in RealAudio

Get the tapes (and videos if available) to World Clash 99 and any other dance mentioned in this review (all dances and sound clashes are underlined and in blue), plus 100's more tapes, videos, and CDs by visiting:

INTRO

On the night of October 9th, 1999, New York City was at a standstill as thousands of dancehall fans worldwide gathered in front of Club Warehouse in Brooklyn to witness the second annual WORLD CLASH.  Hosted by Irish & Chin Entertainment, this was perhaps the most anticipated clash of the year, with promotion for the event beginning as early as June 1999.  Of course Prince Tuffie and my partner Cassette Face was there to get the event on audio for Music FrEaK Central.  

Now that the tapes of the clash have permeated throughout much of the world  (within a matter of days) via the efforts of Music FrEaK Central and others, as a courtesy and a treat to JME Magazine's Readers, I will now do my infamous Round By Round Review!  I hope this will be beneficial to those who do have heard the tapes, as we all know that tapes can be misleading.  For those who unfortunately haven't obtained a copy yet, you can start by wetting your appetite with this analysis, then ordering the tapes at Music FrEaK Central. This review will tell you exactly what happened by breaking down the clash definitively and completely so it can be forever ultimately and consistently be broke! Thus, you will have a more accurate idea of exactly what took place at WORLD CLASH 99 - changing dancehall sound system history forever! Note that this analysis is purely subjective, and others may have seen the clash differently.  However, with years of experience in both listening and attending sound clashes under my belt, lets just say that most of the time the analysis is on point.  You've seen the pictures, heard the news reports and gossips, read the posts!  Now hear the real deal not just from a photo journalist, but from a Cassette FrEaK and Sound System selector!    

TALE OF THE TAPE

The intricacies of this year's clash had the makings of any daytime soap opera, and made me think back to the riveting wrestling sagas we now witness on television. Every sound had a past bone to pick with at least one other sound, and most of the time it was a major bone indeed, as will be elaborated on in the following "Tale of the Tape" (a term borrowed from the sport of boxing to describe and compare the competitors about to fight)

KILLAMANJARO - The Highest Mountain

Returning as the defending champion was Killamanjaro with Ricky Trooper. Most people will agree that Killamanjaro is perhaps the world's number one clash sound, and has been pretty much consistent in their killing spree since that historic day in Portmore, Jamaica, when KILLAMANJARO clash KING ADDIES (1995) for the undisputed World Title.  After last year's victory over Sir Coxsone and Downbeat at Irish & Chin Entertainment's first annual WORLD CLASH (1998) in New York, Killamanjaro continued to sound clashes around the world. However, when Killamanjaro returned to New York for Irish & Chin Entertainment's MATTERHORN vs KILLAMANJARO vs ADONAI (4/99) in Q-Club, New York, fans had mixed reviews when Trooper was unable to keep up with Matterhorn's quick thinking antics, coupled with a ton load of tunes on the "Bruck Out" Rhythm.  It was here that the idea of Matterhorn being in this year's WORLD CLASH 99 was birthed!  Since then, Trooper has had some major dances, including KILLAMANJARO vs KATARAC (4/99) - the fight for Spanish Town; CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS (6/99) where they warred L.P. Intl and Poison Dart in Florida; JARO MEETS STUR GAV (6/99) in Cactus Nite Club with a host of veteran artists, and of course their month to month death duels with Black Kat!  Most recently, Killamanjaro was called for a rematch with Katarac in MORTAL CLASH IN BERMUDA (9/99), and they dealt with that case properly.  Killamanjaro came into this clash perhaps as the world's favorite, and this time Keith and Freddy were with Trooper to help defend the title.  Killamanjaro's only possible weakness was perhaps the lack of knowledge of their opponents - in particular, Mighty Crown - which might have led to some underestimations - and costly ones at that! 

The Big Bad Mighty BASS ODYSSEY

Bass Odyssey - with head honcho Squingy, Skinny, new recruit DJ Mark, Worm, Duane, and Pablo -  is perhaps the sound with the best clash record outta Jamaica this year, next to Killamanjaro themselves.  Earlier this year, in our feature article "Bass Odyssey Back On Top For 1999" (JME Magazine Vol. 1, Iss. #5), we explored Bass Odyssey's re-emergence to the top of the clash scene.  Bass Odyssey (or the "one rack" as Squingy calls them, refering to the fact that the sound system only has one rack of equipment, yet the sound is extremely heavy [loud] and crystal clear) remains to be one of the most consistent sounds in the business, and Squingy and DJ Mark have built a reputation similar to such classic duos as Lynx & Johnny of Bodyguard and Wee Pow & Rory of Stone Love!  When they operate, they do so as a unit, almost as if they are part of the same body.  After BASS ODYSSEY vs BLACK KAT (2/99), the premier clash sound commenced a campaign to highlight the one thing that most people do not know about them - the fact that they are also exceptional at juggling.  At BASS ODYSSEY IN STEWART TOWN (3/99) (my cousin Nikki's dance) in Trelawny, I witnessed as they flattened the small district!!  Bass Odyssey's last appearances in Brooklyn  were for Irish & Chin Entertainment's BASS ODYSSEY vs DAVID RODIGAN (4/99), a clash which ended in Rodigan admitting that Odyssey outplayed him; and another dance the same weekend - BASS ODYSSEY l/s FIRST CLASS l/s LIONHEART (5/99)!   Back in Jamaica at BASS ODYSSEY vs KATARAC (5/99), they dealt with Katarac's case. Then it was off to WORLD WAR 2000 (5/99) in Wash D.C., where Bass Odyssey met Mighty Crown and Sir Coxsone for the first time.  In that clash it was Odyssey and Crown down to the wire!  Since then, Bass Odyssey has been mashing up juggling dances all over, including SOUND ATTACK 99 (7/99) where they juggled alongside Tony Matterhorn, and WUK DEM RIGHT (9/99) alongside  none other than Adonai.  But Bass Odyssey is a clash sound at heart, and when the time came to defend Jamaica for the GLOBAL GOLD CUP SOUND SPLASH 9/99 in England, they stepped to the plate against L.P Intl (NY), Lord Gellys (UK), Luv Injection (UK), and another Japanese terror: Judgment!  After Judgment walked away with an upset victory, Bass Odyssey came into this clash with a score to settle, and since Judgment was not there, Mighty Crown would be the target upon which to exact their revenge! Odyssey's Achilles' Heal remains to be their lack of foundation dubs on foundation rhythms.  As for the new tunes, everyone knows Bass Odyssey has that part on lock down!

Mentally ILL TONY MATTERHORN

Representing New York we had Mr. Mentally ILL himself, Tony Matterhorn.  In our feature article : "Mentally ILL - The Unofficial Story of Tony Matterhorn" (JME Magazine Vol. 1, Iss. #6), we discussed Matterhorn's rebirth to fame as a solo selector after leaving King Addies amidst controversy.  What we forgot to mention (according to some of our readers) was how he got his name.  Well isn't it obvious!?  Just take a look at the name on the "cancer stick" between his fingers at any given time during a dance or clash! This marks Year# 2 for Matterhorn Movements, and needless to say the brotha is still on a climax!!  Earlier  this year MATTERHORN mashup ANTIQUA (2/99) and left with such a disruption behind I hear they are still rebuilding.  Then came Irish & Chin Entertainment's MATTERHORN vs KILLAMANJARO vs ADONAI (4/99) in Q-Club where Matterhorn was responsible for all but nearly running Trooper out of New York City. At HOT SPOT 99 (5/99), GREAT ADVENTURE (6/99), and BEER VIBES (7/99), Matterhorn  also had strong performances -  as he held his own while fending off Stone Love, who seemed determined to quell his hype!  And of course everyone knows what happened at FULLY LOADED 99 (7/99) when in the absence of Stone Love, Matterhorn dun the place with Bounty's "Look Into My Eyes" on the "Bug" Rhythm.  If you haven't heard, you better order the tapes or the video at Music FrEaK Central!  Matterhorn has recruited a fairly unknown selector named Johnny Killa - who as Matterhorn puts it, is also a "Brooklyn Youth."  Johnny Killa is not much of a talker so not much can be said about him, but I'll give him this - he knows exactly how to mix in Matterhorn's tunes how Matterhorn wants it, and when Matterhorn wants it.  As Matterhorn's resume continues to rack up into 1999, he is secretly haunted by his mortal flaw - he has almost zero foundation tunes, and thus is a weak opponent in Dub-fi-Dub - which this clash would inevitably boil down to.  He does however, have all the new Bounty Killa dubs, and an insurmountable hype which made him New York fans' favorite to win!

The Far East Ruler MIGHTY CROWN

Defending Japan for the first time in New York City was Mighty Crown with Sammy T, Simon, Koji, and Stiko.  Not much is known about these "Far East Rulers" outside of cassette freak circles, but by the time they got into New York, those who knew of them spread the word that they are  indeed a force to be reckoned with.  Actually Mighty Crown has been around for years now, as is evident in the fact that they have dubs from artists that have been deceased for years now (we wont get into that till later).  Crown - along with Judgment and Tinkerbell - have been holding down the Japanese reggae scene for some time now.  Although this was their first time in Brooklyn, contrary to popular  belief, this was not Crown's first trip to the US.  In fact, Mighty Crown already competed in two major clashes in the US this year: Irish & Chin's FOUNDATION WORLD WAR 2000 (5/99) in Boston, against Sir Coxsone and Downbeat; and WORLD WAR 2000 (5/99) where they met Bass Odyssey and Sir Coxsone in Washington DC.  They did well in both clashes, but deep down in their hearts they knew that if you haven't represented in New York - and Brooklyn in particular - you haven't represented in the US! Coming in as the somewhat underdog (not because of lack of dubs, but moreso lack of fame), Mighty Crown knew what they had to do - conquer New York and finally get the respect they deserve!    

LEADING UP TO CLASH TIME

Well it was a cool Saturday Night in Brooklyn and the time had come for the event to materialize. By 9:30pm there was already a large crowd outside of The Warehouse as anxious patrons gathered early to see if they could make it in by 12am when the price goes up.  When I arrived with my partner in crime Cassette Face and our entourage a few minutes after 11pm, the line had already gone around the corner and was as wide as the sidewalk itself.  Warehouse's security Team tried their best to keep things on the low down as "babylons" in blue and white paraded up and down the venue in their cars, waiting to no avail for something to happen. Even with V.I.P. passage it took us over 1/2  hour to get in.  Of course I would have waited an hour, or maybe even two if I had to - especially since the estimated amount of people that never made it in was in the thousands.

 Inside the venue was already about 3/5ths filled when I walked in, and there was a set of people already gathered in front of the stage, I guess saving their spot for showtime.  The stage was average height and well lit.  There were two sets of "coffins" (each containing 2 turntables and a mixer configured in the usual manner) on either side on the stage, and a huge equipment console in the back bearing the Natural Vibes Logo - as they were the ones who provided the deejaying equipment.  A crew of various sound system personalities and Cassette FrEaKs had already assembled behind the stage.  Video camera crews were set up to the right of the stage (so there will definitely be a video out for this one!).  

When we reached inside, Goldstone was doing the early juggling and they were doing a pretty decent job. The crowd was hype from early, and being there you could feel that you were going to be part of something big.  I grabbed my one Heineken for the night and held a spot close to the back with Kev, Steve, and the Silver Sword Crew while I watched Goldstone mash up the dance with some tunes I haven't heard in years. No matter how big the new tunes are, "memba mi tell yu" that no tunes can buss a dance like old tunes from back in the 80s and early 90s.  

Throughout the early warm the Goldstone Crew would ask who is going to win the clash.  When they said "Jaro", there was a medium sized forward.  When they said "Bass Odyssey", my hand was up along with a few others (hey, you all know Odyssey is my sound right?).  When they said "Mighty Crown", the place was even quieter.  When the selector asked finally if Tony Matterhorn will take home the trophy, the whole place exploded with cheers, airhorns, shouts, and stomping.  It seems like Matterhorn had the early lead and the clash didn't even start yet.  This pattern repeated itself for the entire early warmup juggling and it was painfully obvious to everyone that Matterhorn fans were in abundance at this clash!

Anyway it was getting close to showtime and the vibes was nice until all of a sudden I heard an abrupt outburst of airhorns and cheers.  As I looked to my left I saw some heads making their way towards the stage, bringing dub boxes with them.  It was none other than the Mighty Crown Crew, and I suspect that for many people that was the first they had ever seen Japanese men carrying dub boxes.  The whole crew entered on stage, all dressed modestly in jeans and t-shirts, some bearing the Mighty Crown logo.  Soon after Crown's entry, cheers began to drown the music again.  This time it was a guy making his way  through the crowd towards the stage dressed in a wicked red suit, obviously tailor made.  It was Ricky Trooper himself from Killamanjaro.  Not too far behind him were Keith and Freddy, keith in army gear down to the boots, and Freddy in a jeans suit.  

The early warm continued for a little while longer, and as I sipped my refreshment, I was interrupted once again by what seemed to be a thunderous roar of applause and feet stomping.  As I looked around the room, all I could make out from the epicenter of the commotion was a huge "Kool Aid" smile emerging from the confusion.  Of course that's all the confirmation I needed to know that the Mentally ILL was in the house.  The applause and cheers seemed like it would never stop as Tony Matterhorn made his way to the stage - dressed in a simple polo short sleeved shirt and blue jeans, and surprisingly with empty hands.  I turned away for a second but my attention was diverted back onto the stage when I heard Matterhorn's voice on the mic.  Basically he said that he's waiting for his tunes (dubs) to be carried in, then he's going to "kick-over" some bwoys in here.  Needless to say the crowd was in an uproar.  I found this to be a good time to find a strategic location, and it didn't take me long to locate my ideal spot - on top of the speaker tower to the right of the stage (yes I was on top of the speakers, taking in the dance yard style cause mi a country man!!)  

Now there was only one more sound to come: Bass Odyssey, and everyone was getting restless, including the selectors themselves.  Tensions were rising as the selectors were getting things together and making their way to the turntables.  As it turns out, Bass Odyssey never made it to the clash.  When I asked Chin (one of the promoters) after the clash for an official statement on Bass Odyssey's absence, it pretty much boiled down to difficulties with the travel arrangements which were beyond the promoters or Bass Odyssey's control.  Enough said on that! 

In any event, Trooper was ready and willing fi kill, and definitely was not in the mood to wait around for Bass Odyssey to show up.  He grabbed the mic and started telling the promoters that he's ready to kill something cause "A trophy mi come fa!"  It was at this time that I changed my mind and came down from atop the speaker tower , then made my way to the stage, more specifically, not too far from behind the turntables.  Of course Mr. Hype Tony Matterhorn had to step in and punctuate Troopers threats about what he's going to do and to who.  As the two exchanged preliminary words back and forth, it started to turn into a mini clash between the two.  Killamanjaro made a speech about how he killed Matterhorn in Jamaica (refering to the KILLAMANJARO VS KING ADDIES (1995) and received a nice forward for that.  Matterhorn, not to be outspoken, commented that if the clash was kept in New York, things would have been different.  Then he asked Trooper why he don't tell the crowd about what happened in Q-Club, referring to MATTERHORN vs KILLAMANJARO vs ADONAI (4/99).  Of course the place pop dung wid that statement!  

After a few more humorous exchanges, Trooper finally gave the mic to Mighty Crown to say something.  Mighty Crown immediately went into the murderation, with a Jamaican accent slighty seasoned with a touch of Japanese stating (in patois) "Brooklyn... Mighty Crown ready yu nuh... we nuh inna the bag a talk talk, a tune a murda dem tonight .. memba dat!"  Forget about it!! The place was inna heat!!! People couldn't believe their ears!  On the stage were Japanese selectors, but the sound you heard coming through the speakers was raw born Jamaican dialect, and the ghetto type at that!  When they began to big up 50s, 40s, 30s, 90s, East New York, etc, I could barely hear my thoughts as cheers drowned out Club Warehouse!

With that Trooper took back the mic and bigged up the Japanese, commenting how well versed they were in patois.  He then immediately asked for the referee, and when no one appeared, commenced to ask the crowd who they wanted to hear first.  After 5 minutes it was decided (by Trooper) that Mighty Crown would go first, Matterhorn would go second, and Killamanjaro would go last! By this time, inside Club Warehouse was already filled to almost capacity.  The clash was about to begin...

ROUND #1  (First 1/2 hour each)

The Mighty Crown Crew posing off..

MIGHTY CROWN (R-1): Sammy T and Simon came in and bigged up the New York people.  They then played an instrumental intro which seemed to be a mix  between the Japanese National Anthem and the theme to James Bond:007... actually it was the theme to Bruce Lee's hit movie Enter The Dragon (thanks Skemer Don).  This alone got a nice forward from the crowd, who was all too anxious to see the clash begin.  The intro was then cut short as Crown dropped their first dub - Terry Lynn's "Your Love Is My Love."  Di place mash dung!!! People were hearing it but again they were not believing it!  Crown then went into the Street Sweeper, bussing the dance with Beenie Man's "None a Dem P*ssyhole Nuh Bad Like Me" and a Bounty dub as well.  Their next big forward came from Capleton's "Run Come Stand Up Inna Di Fire!".  The place was in heat.   Crown then went into a series of dubs on Sancho's "Chase Vampire" Rhythm.  This was indeed a creative move to bring this rhythm back into dancehall, and New York showed their appreciation.  Crown pretty much voiced all the songs that came out on the new "Bug" Rhythm on the "Chase Vampire" Rhythm, and mashed up the dance with the Spragga and Wayne Wonder.  Then they came in with Bounty's "Look Into the Dance, Tell Me What You See" dub and the place was flattened!!!! They had to wheel it again as people were stomping and cheering beyond control!!  Crown ended the round with a Ward 21 remake of Lil' Kim's "You Don't Want to Play Around With Me, I'll Kill You!" on the "Bug" Rhythm and wheeled it up amidst a decent forward.  Throughout the round Crown kept telling the people not to underestimate them because they have tunes too!  After the end of their first round, this was more than evident on its own!

Mentally ILL TONY MATTERHORN (R-1): When Tony Matterhorn with Johnny Killa by his side came in, the people were still hype from Crown's first round, and one could see that whatever edge Matterhorn had from his New York fans coming into the clashes had all but disappeared.  Matterhorn started out by commenting that Mighty Crown played a Bounty (referring to the "Look Into the Dance, Tell Me What You See" dub) but according to him, "...dat can't play yet!" - insinuating that he's going to replay his version later on.  That didn't go over too well with the crowd, who interpreted this as a pre-admission of his intention to play over tunes.  Matterhorn dropped his first dub by Bounty (of course) "If a Sound Bwoy Fi Dead, Then Mek It Guh Suh Den" on a rhythm Bass Odyssey brought back into dancehall, and got a decent response.  However he lost momentum when he played Spragga's "When We a Kill P*ssy We Nuh Watch Face" as he was accused of playing over the tune! He picked up back the pace with his new anthem, Sizzla's "Dem A Wonder" dub on the "Hate Me Now" Rhythm.  He then made a speech about paving the way for selectors like Lynx (Bodyguard), Steely Bashment (Afrique) and Trooper  himself to go solo.  He lost it again when he played over Lexxus' "Naw Siddung inna B*ttyman Yard".  To compensate, he came back with the "Sick" Rhythm from Biltmore and Flamingo days (these clubs  and others were the hot spots for sound clashes in New York City in the early 90s, where the "Sick Rhythm became somewhat of a war anthem) and buss the place wid a Bounty dub and Cobra's "Whoa Yoa, Fassy Life Gone Down the Drain" which got perhaps his biggest forward of the round. When he went into Frankie Paul's "Head To Toe" Rhythm (originally brought back into dancehall by Killamanjaro), he lost momentum for playing over tune#3, Beenie Man's "None a Dem P*ssyhole Nuh Bad Like Me" dub.  However, when he asked the crowd to re-listen to the dub, what it really said was: "None A Dem Fassy Deh Nuh Live A New York." Di place mashup!!!! Of course Bounty's "Guns Out" got a huge forward as well. Another honorable mention was Beenie Man's "Have The World Gone Bad" on the Bug.  Matterhorn's best performance of the round came from his Badda Badda juggling where he bussed the dance with his now famous Bounty dubs, Mr. Vegas' "All Gun Man Hold Up Your Guns High", Beenie Man's "Fire Bun", and Capleton's "In and Out" on the rhythm. The round ended on a moderate note. Throughout the round Matterhorn kept telling New York to have faith cause him have the tunes.  New York's answer was simply: "Play them den!"

KILLAMANJARO (R-1): Trooper and crew came in with a speech stating that "A nuh suh man play fi trophy... mi a guh show yuh how man kill sound fi trophy!"  After an intro, Trooper then went into Beenie Man counteracting the dub he voiced for Matterhorn wid "It Nuh Really Matter If You Live a New York" and dun the place with a nice early forward!  Jaro then went into a new Bounty ("Just Return from Hell") on the "Cellular Phone" Rhythm and a Baby Cham and Sizzla to the slight discontent of the audience.  Jaro commenced to play tunes  by Anthony B and Capleton that were  too new and thus didn't get the forwards they will eventually command.  Trooper kept saying "Mi nuh inna nuh haste" acknowledging the fact that if he wins, everybody will expect it, but no one expects him to loose.  However, Jaro needed a hype, and he drew for Bounty's classic "Gun Nuh Join Lodge" on the King Jammys Studio's "Sleng Teng" Rhythm.  This was followed by Sizzla's "Good Ways", and Cham's "Bun B*tty Bwoy" fi dun di place!!! Trooper's confidence was back!  The next high point came with Leroy Gibbon's "Magic Moment" dub, and on the same rhythm Chuck Fender's melody, a new Capleton, and a new Bounty.  When he dropped a new Spragga, the  place pop dung!  Right now Jaro was red hot!!  Trooper then played a new Bounty on the "Headache" Rhythm: "Soundbwoy Life Depends On My Decision..." to the dismay of Matterhorn who accused him of playing over the tune.  Trooper contends that he didn't hear it play, and moved on to his "Sick" Rhythm, which is his answer to Matterhorn's Biltmore segment.  Jaro's Beenie dub and Admiral Bailey 's "Hot Mi Coming In Hot" on the sick brought forwards reminiscent of the 1995 clash with King Addies!  The second biggest forward came from Sanchez's "Neva Dis The Sound Wid Di Angle" on the "Reasons" Rhythm; and of course the biggest forward came from the Johnny Osbourne classic "Can't Find the Reason" dub, which was Jaro's last entry in the first round.  Many fans were surprised - as were the selectors - by Trooper's decision to play this Jaro icon dub so early, but as Trooper puts it, "Anyting fi win!"

COMMENTS: This marked the end of the 1st Round, 1/2hr, and when the referee DJ Roy asked the crowd sound by sound who was leading the round so far, the answer was a resounding "JARO!"

ROUND #2  (First 15min each)

MIGHTY CROWN (R-2): Crown came in with Simon expressing disappointment in Jaro for playing the Johnny Osbourne so soon. His exact words: "whappen to unnu Jaro, that's the best unnu can do for the fus round?"  Of course this got a huge forward!  They then commenced to play a New York anthem, Shinehead's "I Found Out What I've been Missing" and buss up the dance big time, wheeling it and dropping a Bounty. They weren't too pleased with the equipment so DJ Roy rightfully made them go over to the second set of turntables, which meant all the selectors were now playing on the same set of turntables.   Crown then began again with their answer to the "Sick" Rhythm by playing the original Redd Foxx on the rhythm in dub style, flattening the place!!!  When they played Spragga's "Peace", the crowd responded with cheers and screams!  When they played Bounty's new gal tune "Magnet" and it was over!! Club Warehouse tear dung!!!  With the crowd on a massive hype, Simon made a speech that he respects Matterhorn, but Matterhorn has a "...girl vibes!"  so he has a new name for him: Tony "War Lady" Matterhorn.  The place was in stiches!!! He then continues to say that if Matterhorn is a "war lady", then Mighty Crown is going to "..buss up him p*ssy!!"  With that they dropped Bounty's new "Test Mi if You Can.... War Lady" and flattened the dance for the biggest forward of the clash thus far! Club Warehouse turned upside down!!!  People were jumping up and down, bussing blanks in the air, just going crazy!!  The tune was wheeled up so hard it bruck up not the needle, but the entire turntable arm - requiring the attention of the technician. The tune was that wicked!!!  The technician did a good job of correcting the problem, and in a matter of minutes Crown was back on bussing Spragga and such.  They then went into Capleton's "Living In a Danger Zone" on the "Bug" Rhythm and then drew their final tune, but not before accusing Bass Odyssey of running because "... Judgment kill dem last weekend a England... and dem don't want to get two beatings!"  Their last tune, a Morgan Heritage entitled "A Sound Ago Dead Who Test Mighty Crown" dun the place, and with that Simon utterred, "Next Sound!"    

Mentally ILL TONY MATTERHORN (R-2): Matterhorn started by giving his run down of the clash thus far, which basically was Mighty Crown did well in the first 15 minute round, Matterhorn is leading, and Jaro play back a tune an didn't start that wicked so a dem deh a last.  He then goes to say that Trooper is not playing no new tunes, and that "Nuh dead man can't kill me... ," (refering to Jaro's old tunes).  This was met by discontent from the crowd, but Matterhorn stuck to his word.  He started out by playing Sluggy's "Sodom and Gormorah," and a vague attempt at a foundation tune with Johnny Osbourne's "Oooh, What a Lah, Lah,  Matterhorn In Di Area".  When he saw this wasn't working for him, he started to unleash his new tunes on the hot new "Bellias" Rhythm including new Chuck Fender, Capleton, Beenie, and Nitchie Kutchie.  The forwards were mediocre but Matterhorn kept trodding.  When he accused Trooper of engaging with a minor and unleashed  the Scare Dem "Bun A Fire Pon a Rape-a-Man" dub, he got a strong forward!!  He got an even bigger forward for Admiral Bailey's "Bad Bull Inna Pen And Yu Nuh Want Come Buck".  After an unsuccessful attempt to accuse Trooper of dissing New York fans -  which was met by crowd disapproval - Matterhorn drew for Capleton's "New York City, New York Town, Mek Dem Know Sey A Matterhorn Town" on the "Head To Toe" and dun the place he did wid it!!!  His subsequent dubs were  simply too new.    Towards the end of the round, the crowd was showing extreme vocal discontent with what was being played, and Matterhorn knew he had to pick up the pace.  It was then that Matterhorn drew for his staple Gabriel dub inna New York Style "New York All We Need Is Just Cooperation"  When the tune stated "..[the] Japanese a bow cat, Squingy a Trooper man, we cant afford dem fi f*ckup the session..." New York had to give up the forward, diplace was in an uproar!!! And that was Matterhorn's Round 2, First 15min - rather inconsistent and with no direction at times, but somehow coming together at the end!  

KILLAMANJARO (R-2): Trooper came in stating that Matterhorn a "cuss" Jaro old tunes but a "... trophy mi come fi win!" .  He then went into "Jaro Don't Fear No Sound", another Jaro icon dub, for a wicked forward! From there he continued to buss the place with "Jaro Have Di Title" and Garnet Silk's "Memories".  When he dropped Capleton's "Jaro Ago Kill Dem" on the "Bye Bye Love" Rhythm, the pace flatten!!!!  After dissing Matterhorn and dismissing him as a clash sound because he only clashed sounds like Renaissance, he turns to Mighty Crown, and as he was about to say something derogative (I could feel it in his voice as I was standing right next to him), he stopped himself (perhaps remembering how it hurt him in the clash against Rodigan in Long Island back in 1997) and changed his remarks - stating that he respects them but when he comes to clash, "... all sounds haffi dead!"  He then drops Sizzla on the "Corderoy" (Beenie's World Dance tune) for a nice response.  From there it was a new Sizzla on the "Bug" Rhythm "Pum Pum Fi F*ck" for another forward!.   He then dropped the Frankie Sly on the same rhythm (which is the original rhythm for that song) and I know I was giving a forward cause that's a big tune for me!  Then it was Sizzla's "Holding Firm" that got the next major forward.  Trooper  then turned to Matterhorn and exclaimed "... yu a fret about mi old tune, si a dead man ya dat ago mek yu lose di trophy and yu Mighty Crown!"  With that Trooper drew for one of the wickedest foundation dubs in the arsenal, Early B's "Visit of The King Selassi I".  Di place flatten!!! Di place Dun!!!  Definitely one of the biggest forwards of the dance!  All I remember from that moment was seeing the crowd going up and down as I was stomping my feet (although I felt this dub was drawn too soon)!  Keeping excellent pace, Trooper then draws for "You May Not Be, A Movie Star" and again the crowd was in agreement!  Trooper then follows this with something rather unconventional - while claiming he's the champion suh him a represent the whole US while Matterhorn only defending New York, he plays an acappella rendition of the United States National Anthem in a sound clash style (I wish the president could have heard it!), followed by "Pack Up Your Dubs And Throw them Away"  It was another massive forward as Trooper hands the mic to DJ Roy, ending his 2nd Round, First 15min.  

COMMENTS: At the end of the 2nd Round:First 15min DJ Roy again asked the crowd who was leading, and again ,"KILLAMANJARO!", was the crowd's reply!

ROUND #3 (Last 15min each)

Trooper  & Keith draw a tune as Matt. looks on..

MIGHTY CROWN (R-3): Crown starts out their final 15min by bigging up Trooper and Matterhorn for paving the way for selectors like him.  Then its right into a brand new Buju Psalms from the Bible, immediately followed by Courtney Melody's "They Believe they are Rough" for a nice forward early out!  Sammy T then ties a head-wrap around his forehead with Japanese writings on it, and drops Courtney Melody's premier tune "Ninja Mi Ninja," and it was over!! The place was flattened to the ground!!! It was like thunder rolled in Club Warehouse!  The fans were in a mad frenzy as Mighty Crown stood silent and took the forward without saying a word!!  This was by far the biggest forward of the dance - no questions asked - as people stomped their feet, blew whistles, shouted, screamed, pressed airhorns, threw up their shirts and rags, and did just about every signal in the book.  You could feel the stage shake as Club Warehouse was flattened for the night by that one tune! Not to lose pace, Crown then drew for the wickedest Sammy Dread on dub "Bad Bwoy A Fire M-16.. but Mighty Crown We A Kill Sound Bwoy!"  Again the place was flattened.  Crown had the crowd eating out of their hands, and when they asked who was leading the dance, the people responded with their name!  Immediately following this was a Little John/Eddie Fitzroy combo "I Wouldn't Like To See Your Face Soundbwoy!" Have mercy!!!!  Place mashup again in just under 5 seconds of play!!!  Simon then turns to Trooper and exclaims "Trooper, I'm sorry man... but the f*cking trophy is gonna go to Japan and sh*t!"  Unbelievable!!!  As if the Eddie Fitzroy part of the dub wasn't enough, they played it out to Little John's part, and when people heard "All Ova Dem Mighty Crown All Ova Dem!" it was a catastrophe as the place bruck dung again, even bigger than before!!!  It was then that Crown showed their versatility and creativity when they dropped a new Sizzla  on the "Shanty Town" Rhythm, bigging up the ganja man dem and calling Matterhorn a "cigarette bwoy"!  Wickedness!!! Indescribable!!! Please pass them the gold medal for creativity on that one!!  Crown then addressed Matterhorn's dub calling the Crown Crew "bow cats" and dropped Admiral Tibet's "Leave People Business Alone" on the original answer rhythm!  Dance flatten!! Dance Dun!!  From there it was Johnny Osbourne's "Death In Di Arena" on the rhythm by that name.  Dance mashup again!!!  Crown then drops a John Holt "Like A Poison Dart Mighty Crown Will Kill You!" - The forwards continue to drown out the music from the speakers!!!   Crown's final entry was Baby Cham on the "Bug Rhythm" - "War Dem A Bring, Tell Dem That's Not Clever!"  The round ends in an unbelievable hype!!!!

Mentally ILL TONY MATTERHORN (R-3): Matterhorn comes in and starts to read a flyer, states he cannot be killed in New York, then drops a Bounty exclusive on the Admiral Bailey's "Horse Tonic" Rhythm, which was uneventful.  He reaches for the "Head To Toe"  Rhythm, and again it was not well received.  Coaching Johnny Killa not to watch the crowd, he drops another dub, and again the delivery fails.  In frustration, Matterhorn then exclaims "...f*ck the tune fi tune, ...mi ago dun di dance now!"  After bigging up just about every neighborhood, district, section, and hangout spot in Brooklyn, he finally  releases the Bounty he has been sitting on: "Well Everybody Look [Into The Dance]", and I must say he got the forward and did usurp Crown's version which was played earlier!  With his confidence back he plays the tune again as Bounty calls out all the sections of Brooklyn, each section  (in the dance) giving up the forward when they heard their name in the dub.  Matterhorn gets the bronze award for creativity with that dub (we'll tell you what dub got the silver later on)!  From there however, he lost momentum again as he went into his tunes on the "Mad Rock" Rhythm. He continues to criticize Trooper - who he feels depends on Papa Jaro's old tunes - and exclaims at one time: "God bless the child that has his own!"  After drawing Admiral's "No Betta Dan Yard" to no avail, he quickly switches to the "Street Sweeper" Rhythm.  The new tunes were still not cutting it so again he attempts to draw for foundation tunes with Malibu's "Oh No Sound Nuh Bad Like Matterhorn"... still nothing, and the verbal discontent increases.  Not giving up he draws for another foundation "Everybody Bawling, Bawling For Matterhorn."  Although the drawing of this dub was ill-timed, I felt this was the best foundation dub that Matterhorn played for the entire night, and I feel in time people will get used to it... just not that particular night!  Trooper then attacks the comment Trooper made about Renaissance, and goes on to explain why he feels there is a vendetta against him: "Mi tek di war to some people who nuh use to di war, and get famous outta it."  He then comments on the fact that it was he who mashed up Fully Loaded 99 in front of sixteen thousand people. While this was definitely true, the crowd couldn't see how this speech was furthering what he needed to accomplish in the clash.  All this time Trooper was on the sidelines taunting him, while Mighty Crown watched quietly on the side line.  A venture into the "Sick" Rhythm basically held the dance where it was, at a standstill.  In any event the round fizzed out to a close with Matterhorn refusing to give up - something that must be admired!   

KILLAMANJARO (R-3): Jaro's final 15min started with Trooper admiring the New York fans for their fairness.  He then turns to Matterhorn and states that him drop out now cause he has already played his one big Bounty tune.  From there he drops Beres' "Pull up the Vibes That Your Playing" and the crowd is awakened with a mega forward!  From there its Barrington Levy's "Broader Than Broadway" and it a gwane good.  He then accuses Mighty Crown of playing "regular" foundation tunes, and drops Junior Vibes "Fade Away", getting some huge forwards!  An Erol Dunkley entitled "You Cannot Find, A Sound To Kill Jaro" ensured another big forward from the crowd as Trooper, Keith, and Freddy cruised through the round.  Garnet Silk's "Make a Joyful Noise" flatten the dance in the wee hours as Jaro brought out the heavyweights that one would think would have been saved for the Dub-Fi-Dub.  From there it was a Heptones' "Jaro's Got the Handle" to keep the pace.  Then the ultimate Junior Cat was drawn "Killing P*ssy and We Kill Dem Fi Fun," and Warehouse bruck down!!!  This was followed of course by Cat's "Come Through, Jaro a Come Through" on the same rhythm, and of course the place flatten!!!  Buju and Beenie's combo "Jaro a Sample"  continues to hold the fort down!  Trooper pauses, and then drops a brand new Buju calling up Matterhorn, Mighty Crown, and believe it or not, Bass Odyssey's name.  The dub was on Shaggy's "Rush Dem My Sound Fi Rush Dem" Rhythm and forget about it,dance mashup!!!  The tune was just too wicked, describing a story about Buju and Jaro Crew making some moves through Brooklyn and encountering the other  sounds along the way.  It was the biggest Buju of the night - giving the silver award for creativity to Killamanjaro - and that dub caused me to wonder how Bass Odyssey would have held up to that, since Buju is Bass Odyssey's deejay!  On that same rhythm, new deejay Mad Anju's "A Wha Dis Fada" flattened the dance again, and definitely got my forward!!  Goofy's "Things Could Be Worse" continued to dun the place, but his "Normal Selector Wid Some Normal Dub" took the cake, wrecking Club Warehouse again!  Burro Banton's "Bum Wha Dis" did good also.  Before their last tune, Trooper addressed Matterhorn's comment about "... bless the child that has his own... " by agreeing with him that yes blessings should be bestowed, but at the same time Killamanjaro didn't do Trooper him anything for him to "... run left it."  He then basically states that though he can be also hired as a solo selector, he will be with Jaro until death, adding that his  own newborn son will also grow up to play the sound one day (you gotta admire his commitment)!  With that he drew for "Try to Conquer Papa Jaro," and with a resounding forward the round came to past!  

COMMENTS: This was the end of the 3rd Round: Final 15min, and before the sounds went into Dub-Fi-Dub, DJ Roy made sure to ask  - for those later on who would see the video and hear the tapes - who won that round!  Well New York people nuh bias, and they had no problem saying who they thought had won that round!!!  The crowd said "JARO".  It was 5:30am, and the Dub-Fi-Dub was about to begin.

DUB-FI-DUB (10 Rounds)

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #1): Crown comes in warning Jaro that they better play better than Mighty Crown to win the trophy (in a sence dismissing Matterhorn)!  They then asked the crowd what they wanted to hear, old tunes or new tunes.  The crowd answered "NEW!!", and with that Crown played the teacher U-Roy "Long Time Crown A Call Yuh And Yu Jus Want Fi Come!"  The forward was wicked, about a 7 out of 10.

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Mentally ILL TONY MATTERHORN (Dub-Fi-Dub #1): Matterhorn disses Trooper and comes in with a mediocre dub on the "Head To Toe" Rhythm - "A Murder.. You Shouldn't Try Fi Test the Matterhorn."  The Crowd wasn't buying it...

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #1): Trooper comes in and says to Matterhorn its better he sits down and  let Jaro and Crown battle it out than further embarass himself.  He then bigs up Crown for the U-Roy dub and drops Super Cat's "Watch Out Mek Mi Come Down!"  The  dub was very well received, and  the forward was about an 8. 

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #2): Crown disses Matterhorn saying that it looks like  him "...a dead outta dis bumbocl*t!!" Simon sends respect out to Jaro's Super Cat, then throws down a Ranking Joe alongside Nicodemus on the orginal answer rhythm, saying no sound can play this! Ranking Joe's "Tek Off Mi Hat Mi Haffi Put It On Back" and Nico D's "Suzy Wong, She Sey Mighty Crown Is The Champion".. flatten di dance!!! It was a stampede!!! People were throwing up their jackets and shirts in the air!!! This forward was topped perhaps only by Courtney Melody's "Ninja Mi Ninja" which they played early out!  The forward level was about a 9.5 out of 10

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Mentally ILL TONY MATTERHORN (Dub-Fi-Dub #2): Matterhorn is met by discontent, saying that at least he made it to World Clash, after two years.  Then he says "... mi ago play one more tune, and [al]low Mighty Crown and Jaro fi battle it out... but fi a two year old sound, we put up a good fight!"  He then unveals his final tune: "We Ago Kill Your Sound, Your Sound, Your Sound, So Don't Get Upset In The Party" - a pretty good dub for an amateur foundation dub box. After bigging up Johnny Killa and requesting a round of applause for Killa's efforts (which was very gentleman-like), Matterhorn exits on the sentiments: "... give me two more years fi mek mi build dem old tunes ya."  Matterhorn is now out of the Dub-Fi-Dub.

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #2): Trooper comes in, bigging up Matterhorn on a strong effort, considering "everybody" knew he wouldn't be able to handle the Dub-Fi-Dub.  He then states that "..mi come fi win!!!"  With that he drops Super cat's "Nuff Sound A Die" ("I'm Not Sure Anymore").  Forward is at about a 7.

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #3):  Crown comments that they're gonna play some foundation deejays.  Then Simon says since they are coming from the far east, riding west, they are going to play the "Riding West" Rhythm, and that they brandished with a U-Roy! - Nice Forward, about a 7.5.  

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #3): Trooper states that he put out a bate and Crown hitch it. With that he dropped Johnny Osbourne's "My Dream Last Night was about Papa Jaro."  Forward registered in at about a 7.

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #4):  Crown answers with Johnny Osbourne alongside Sammy Dread, "Mi Plant Mi Sensimelia and Them Take It Away.. We Gonna Rock You Tonight.. Mighty Crown Kill Another Tin Pan Tonight!".. The dance buss up!!  Forward registered about an 8. 

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #4):  Jaro comes in with Garnet Silk's "Jaro A Rub A Dub Soldier" on the same rhythm for about an 7.5! 

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #5):  Crown comments that since they are named the Far East Ruler, they are gonna touch the rhythm by the same name.  With that dropped "We Raggamuffin.. We Clip A Soundbwoy Wing" and the place bruck down!!    Even Matterhorn must have liked that tune cause Simon turns to Matterhorn and asks ".. wey yu sey Matterhorn, a me bloodcl*t tek di trophy?!"  Forward registered about an 8.5.

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #5): Trooper starts to get serious now and draws for Garnet Silk's "Evacuate the Premises".  The crowd is pleased and forward comes in at about an 8.

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #6): Mighty Crown comes in exclaiming "..dem tune ya can't fret mi at all.." and with that drops "Pull It Up Mighty Crown Pull It Up Now" on the original rhythm and flatten the dance!! Forward registers at a 9.  

KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #6): Trooper answers with Jaro's icon "Send Another Sound Home," and the fans give him di ratings cause a wickd tune dat!!!   Forward registered at about 9. 

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #7):  Crown nuh inna nuh bag a long long talking, and drops "Let Him Try" for another 9! 

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #7):  Trooper drops "Bum Bum Ratta Ratta...Ricky Trooper Ago Kill Another Drum Pan" and for the first time in the Dub-Fi-Dub starts to get some verbal discontent from the crowd, registering at about 7. 

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #8):  Crown comes in with Simon exclaiming "Boo Ricky Trooper!! Boo Ricky Trooper!!!"  He then asks "Which sound a lead the dance now? Mighty Crown?!"  The crowd answered "Mighty Crown!!" and with that they dropped "You Dun Dead Already!" and turned Club Warehouse upside down!!  The place was flattened completely!!  This was one of the biggest forwards of the entire dance!  In fact no other dub after this got a bigger forward!!  The forward was about 9.5!  ...  

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #8):  A nervous Trooper exclaims "You can't kill Jaro!!" and drops Nitty Gritty's "False Alarm, Talk Bout Jaro Dying".  It was a wicked tune and a fitting conteraction to Crown's previous tune, but New York wasn't feeling it, and verbal discontent could be heard.  The dub registered at about a 6.   

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #9): Crown drops Carlton Livingston's  "Trodding Through The Dancehall With Special in Hand" and flatten the place again!!!  About a 9!

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #9):  Trooper draws for the heavyweights one of Killamanjaro's wickedest dubs - Tenor Saw's "Try Try" - and wins back some support as he busses the dance!  This has always been the dub to get Trooper out of some hot spots when his back is against the wall, and it did just that, registering at about an 8! 

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #10):  Simon comes in and says that nuff a dem a talk about gun, "but a we a fire lazer inna dem bumbucl*t!"  Then Crown drops a Don Carlos on the answer rhythm: "Pass Me The Lazer Beam, We Ago Wipe Out a Sound Bwoy Clean!"  The dance buss at an 8.5! 

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #10):  Trooper exclaims that lazer beam can't kill Jaro cause a outdated weapon.  Then Keith and Freddy drops the biggest Killamnajro tune ever (which also happens to be my favorite Jaro dub!) : Tenor Saw's "There is Trouble in Your Way Every Night & Day."  I know my forward registered at about a 10.  The crowd was a little less responsive, and forwards came in at about a 8.  

COMMENTS: This would have been officially the end of the clash, but somehow it just felt like the sounds dem had to play more before New York give up the trophy.  It was then that I turned to the referee DJ Roy and advised him that the clash must go on.  Cassette Face was in agreement, and when Irish (the promoter) gave the green light, DJ Roy exclaimed this was the wickedest clash he had ever attended in New York (I am in agreement 100%), and the Dub-Fi-Dub was extended for two more rounds of Extended Dub-Fi-Dub!

Extended Dub-Fi-Dub - (2 Rounds)

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #11):  Crown came with Simon making a speech: "... a nuff a dem a sey a Trooper ago win, but that is a f*cking rumor man!!!" He then dropped "Don't Follow Rumours" ("If You Hear, Something about Mighty Crown, Tell It To Me, Come Tell It To Me") Dance buss at an 8! 

KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #11): Trooper drops Dennis Brown and Garnet Silk in combination, a big tune in all regards, but at the time it was drawn it was ineffective.  Jaro was met with discontent! 

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MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #12): Crown comes in and with almost no talking, drops Big Youth on the "Santamassagana".  The place is flattened at about an 8! 

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #12):  Trooper exclaims "who crown Bloodcl*t Might Crown" and calls for Louie Culture to tek off the crown with "Jaro Been through Hills And Valleys"  ("Pop It Off, Bogus Crown Wey We Rip Off").  The tune was a big tune indeed, but again it was ill-timed!   I doubt people even heard the part where it said "..bogus crown wey we rip off."  The tune was ineffective and the crowd's discontent grew! 

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COMMENTS: DJ Roy took the mic, but it seemed that New York still wanted more!  If the World Cup was gonna be won, each sound had to play the dance of their life to earn it!  So Irish gave the word and DJ Roy announced one more tune each, and that will decide the dance.  Thus the clash went into Sudden Death Elimination!

Sudden Death Elimination - (One Dub Each)

Mighty Crown delivers in the Dub-Fi-Dub...

MIGHTY CROWN (Dub-Fi-Dub #13): Crown comes in criticizing  Jaro's previous Louie Culture dub, saying it was not "old."  Simon then said they would play a "new, new" Bounty that promises to be the next "Look Into My Eyes."  The tune was on the "Bug" Rhythm, and they were right - at least about the part that the tune was too new!  They got about a 6.5 out of it! 

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KILLAMANJARO (Dub-Fi-Dub #13):  Jaro comes in and states that Crown is wrong cause they shouldnt have played any deejay tunes, so now he's gonna kill them!   He then dropped Don Carlos' "Anything That You Can Do Papa Jaro Can Do It Better."  Discontent mixed with a forward for the tune registered it at about a 7.   

COMMENTS: DJ Roy comes in and bigs up the promoters Irish and Chin Entertainment on a job well done.  He then simply leaves it up to the crowd to decide, saying "I am just the referree, you are the judge, so its by applause.."

"Let me hear it for Mighty Crown" - A thunderouse roar fills Club Warehouse as screams, shouts, whistles feet stomping, cheers, wipers, and rags consumed the air in for Mighty Crown.

"Let me hear it for Killamanjaro!" - Some cheers and whistles from hardcore fans, but for the most part, not a lot of support!  You could hear Trooper's discontent in the background as he exclaims "... how yu fi play deejay tune and win tune fi tune?!"

"THE NEW WORLD CHAMPIONS OF DANCE HALL, OUT OF JAPAN, THE MIGHTY, THE MIGHTY.. CROWN!!!  The place erupted as Sammy T, Simon, Stiko, Koji, and the entire Mighty Crown entourage stepped up to claim their World Clash 99 Trophy, presented by Irish!

OUTRO

All in all I must say that the clash was one of, if not the best clash I have been to in New York (and I have been to several)!  I am sure it was worth every penny that the patrons paid to get in, even with the absence of Bass Odyssey.  Many say that had Odyssey been there, the outcome would have been different.  Of course that's always a possible interpretation, but the fact is the clash happened, and Mighty Crown was judged the winner.

When I caught up with Mighty Crown after the clash, it was hard to believe that these were the same guys who had just defeated Tony Matterhorn and Killamanjaro for the 1999 World Clash Title.  I was taken a back by their humbleness and sincerity.  They were very approachable and didn't mind my questions at all.  You could see it in their eyes that these people really loved reggae music.  They were young, they were Japanese, and it didn't matter, because they ate, slept, and breathed reggae.  You could feel the positive vibes emitting from them, and regardless of who you were rooting for, one couldn't help  but share their joy.  They worked hard for it, they deserved it, and New York rightfully gave it to them!  

Prince Tuffie hangs with the 99 Champs - Mighty Crown

Lisa West and I were able to catch Papa Jaro (Mr. Harper) himself after the clash, and it was a huge honor to meet him in person, finally.  I can only describe the experience as surreal.  I had so many things I wanted to say, but of course I reserved them so that I could get a comment from him on what took place.  A soft spoken man with a cool smile, Papa Jaro was able to break it down to me in a way no one else could.  He alerted me to the fact that the dance can be viewed within two frameworks: First and most easily from the viewpoint of who won the dub fi dub; and secondly by taking into account everything that happened leading up to and including the Dub-Fi-Dub.  Looking at it from this second perspective, Killamanjaro did win all three rounds preceding the Dub-Fi-Dub. This comment had me thinking a lot.  Unfortunately Trooper and Crew had made their way out before I could get a comment.  

As the night (or should we say early morning) winded down, I was also able to link Matterhorn for a quick chit-chat.  I congratulated him on a gallant effort, and a graceful withdrawal, - to which he reiterated,  "... mi just come out 2 years, now - give me two more years!"  This of course is referring to his foundation dub arsenal.  Never at a loss for smiles, Matterhorn didn't seem to be shaken at all by the outcome.  I guess his mind was set on the dance he had to fly to Canada for that Sunday night (and by the way I heard he flattened up there as well!).

On that note, I hope you enjoyed reading this article.  The world is very interested in hearing what you - the reader - thinks about the clash (even if you didn't attend it).  Please take the time out to Post your opinion on the Jamworld Message Board by clicking the Red Button to the Right!  The best POST will receive a free copy of the video when it comes out - Guaranteed!! Remember its not the length that matters, but how well you can articulate your point in as few words as possible.  Questions and comments are welcomed at JamworldReggae@aol.com! 

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BiG Ups some peeps  that I saw, ran into, and hanged out with at the clash, including my parring partner Cassette Face and Lisa (Reggaemania), promoters Irish & Chin, DJ Roy, Ken, Steve, Marvin, and the Silver Sword Family, Puma from LP, the Too Tuff Crew, my UB & Buff State Crew, Slim, Leslie outta Frelans Associates, Starbwoy, Danger and the Natural Vibes Family, and all in attendance!!

THIS HAS BEEN A JAMWORLD MOVEMENTS MAGAZINE SPECIAL REPORT

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