The Sound System

In reggae music, they have this thing called the sound system. Literally, it's what you would expect it to be. It's like a giant mobile DJ set-up -- a few amplifiers, some microphones, an effects box or two, and a couple of turntables all hooked up to a huge public address system capable of pumping out a few thousand watts. The operators would carry this rig to some public space, preferably some place outdoors, but indoor locations work in a pinch. They'd set everything up and throw a party. One guy plays records (the selector) while another raps freestyle rhymes on the mic (the deejay), and maybe there's another operator doing a live mix and adding trippy effects. People show up in their best clothes to dance, drink beer, smoke spliffs, socialize and generally have a good time.

But the true meaning of the sound system, or the "sound" as the reggae devotees call it, is deeper. It's a vehicle for bringing people together. Neighbors who otherwise wouldn't hang out or talk to one another end up dancing and laughing together. It gives people a chance to slow down and escape the hustle and bustle of city life through music.

It's a community thing. There are friendly competitions to see who's the best deejay, who's the best dancer. The selectors take pride in having better records than their peers, and there are even competitions between different sound system crews.

We have bars and clubs now where people show up to drink and get loose, and DJs turn up to play records, but it's not quite the same. Watch this video and I think you'll see the deep spiritual connection these guys have with their work. It's more than a hobby or a job or a hustle to them. They treat it like a mission.

The above video is shot in London in the late 70s and most of these guys are Jamaican expats living oversees. To them, the sound is not only a means of maintaining a connection to their homeland and to Jamaican culture, but it's also a way for them to spread their ideals of peace and unity to a wider audience. My favorite part is when the operator talks about how there aren't many opportunities for white people and black people to mix in England, and the sound gives them a place to do that, a space where they can celebrate together without worry. He takes pride in being able to provide that. Talk about some powerful stuff.

Plus, the music is totally wicked.

Here are a couple more videos for good measure.