by Alex Griffin
It’s been a hot minute since we last had a Culture Clash, with the sound system competition taking a year long hiatus in 2015, keeping us all waiting in intrepid anticipation since its last big blow out in 2014.
Thankfully, the Red Bull Music Academy crew aren’t missing out on a 2016 event, taking it a step even further than they have before. As well as the London show (happening on June 17th), Culture Clash will be hosting two further preliminary events, in both the cities of Bristol (March 4th) and Manchester (March 10th).
So with Culture Clash season approaching us rapidly (that Bristol event is only a week away!), we’ve decided to take a little time out and throw it all the way back to the last one. Take in 5 of the best moments from Culture Clash 2014 below and indulge in a little bit of clashing history.
Rebel Sound spun a Trevor Mcdonald dubplate
Rebel Sound, the super group formed especially for Culture Clash and consisting of the legendary David Rodigan, with Chase & Status, Shy FX and MC Rage, ended up the eventual winners of 2014’s tournament. Although we were backing BBK (of course) it’s easy to see how they won, with a selection of incredibly entertaining and hilarious dub plates, the pinnacle of which had to be when they called upon man like Trevor Mcdonald.
The UK spanked the yanks
Let’s be honest, A$AP Mob were a bit pants init. They entered Culture Clash without really doing a lot of research into what sound system clashes actually entail and it’s safe to say they got parred off by every other crew competing. It felt slyly great to see the usually dominant American force flounder, further highlighting just how sick our own products can often be. Rocky did arrive on a quad bike though, so ratings for that.
Traitor T
Were the clash in Eastenders, this moment would have fully warranted a “dum-dum-dum” moment and the credits would roll. While BBK brought out just about every face in the whole of the grime scene, one predominant member appeared on stage batting for another camp. Rebel Sound effectively won the moment Tempa T stormed on for a rendition of “Next Hype” and the looks on the faces of Skepta and co said it all. Absolutely scandalous.
Murkle Man returned
It’s been a long while since the caped crusader has taken to the streets of London, fighting sidemen and pagans wherever he go. But something special happened on one dark night in 2014, as the legendary, the infamous, the myth, the MURKLE MAN appeared in full costume. Wrong-doers everywhere, you have been warned. It ain’t safe for you any more.
Mysterious gyal
In the biggest shock of all and by far the single most monumental moment of Culture Clash’s history, Skepta, Jme, Frisco et al made a bold and brave statement. They like Peter Andre. Or at least, in another very funny part of the show, whilst trying to find a reggae song to counteract Rebl Sound, Boy Better Know dropped the eternal riddim “Mysterious Girl” on the crowd. #Bars.