Jamaican-American Garfield “Chin” Bourne of Irish and Chin, promoter of “World Bash” and manager of Mighty Crown, has hailed Wyclef Jean’s surprise tribute to Mighty Crown at World Bash at Amazura Concert Hall in Jamaica, Queens, on Nov. 24, Thanksgiving weekend.
Flair Lindsey, a Caribbean entertainment publicist, told Caribbean Life, over the weekend, that Jean, a renowned Haitian-born artiste, surprisingly “hopped off his tour with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Fugees to serenade” the international Mighty Crown sound system on their retirement, with a “live dubplate performance of ‘911’ before a global audience.”
“It was a such a pleasure to have Wyclef to do a live dub plate for Mighty Crown in the very same city, where their career formally skyrocketed after winning World Clash in 1999,” Bourne also told Caribbean Life over the weekend. “The audience was in awe. Words can’t properly capture the energy and excitement of Wyclef closing out Mighty Crown’s final show.
“Everything just fits, as Wyclef was there from the beginning of Mighty Crown’s journey,” added Bourne, a Queens resident. “After Wyclef hand-delivered a dub to David Rodigan to ‘kill’ Crown in a clash, they forged a relationship. Mighty Crown has cut numerous, exclusive dub plates with Wyclef.
“Overall, Wyclef’s surprise performance was a milestone moment within a milestone,” Bourne continued. “History, which was already being made by the magnitude and number of sounds on World Bash, was amplified.”
Lindsey said that the Jean-Mighty Crown link is “not new.”
“In fact, to date, ‘Da Far East Rulaz’ have the only dubplate combo of Beres Hammond and Wyclef.,” she said. “Funny enough, the relationship started exactly 20 years ago in Hartford, Conn., when Wyclef showed up through the back door of a dance, in similar ‘World Bash’ style, to deliver Rodigan a dubplate, which ‘killed’ Mighty Crown in a clash. But upon seeing how well the sound performed, Wyclef was impressed.
“There is a lot to be said about the magnitude of authentic Jamaican sound system culture, as thousands of music lovers braved frigid conditions to attend World Bash at Amazura on Friday, Nov. 24,” she added.
Lindsey said World Clash was Irish and Chin’s “branded event that placed international sounds to clash in an epic stage show style.
“This was a new format for sound clash, which typically took place in ballrooms, halls and casual settings,” she said. “Upon winning the relatively new event in 1999, the powerhouse Mighty Crown sound system became synonymous with the brand.
“They grew to be an international sensation,” she added. “So, returning to New York for World Bash, a juggling sound system event with clash vibes, was a full 360 moment for the sound.”
Bourne described World Bash as an “exceptional event,” stating that he “wanted to bring the industry together, while celebrating Mighty Crown.
“I also needed to see if the glory days of sound system culture were done or if there was still hope in the forecast,” he said. “To me, the state of the sound system industry was dampening. A sold-out World Bash proved that fans still crave an authentic sound system experience.
“World Bash was great in so many ways. It was great for Mighty Crown because the people turned out to bid them farewell and because the sounds performed immaculately, while saluting them,” Bourne added. “It was great for me because the sounds gave me the honor of presenting them and an opportunity to make history. It was great for the sounds, as it built confidence in them, confirming they can sell out a venue.
“Lastly, it was great for the culture, because it has fueled a message and feeling throughout reggae and dancehall that sound systems still have a position, still play a role, still have power and are still found interesting,” he continued. “Everyone walked away with a positive message.”
Bourne said “blockbuster performances” from Soul Supreme, Bass Odyssey, Killamanjaro, David Rodigan, Dynamq, Tony Matterhorn, Pink Panther, LP International, Bodyguard, Metromedia and Mighty Crown were “the driving force” of World Bash.
“All of the sound’s performances were high energy and impactful, ensuring the crowd roared all night,” he said. “The sounds demonstrated high level entertainment, consisting of hardcore juggling, dub plate flinging and sound clash style playing.
“Each sound was stellar, leaving lifelong impressions on the global audience,” he added. “Every sound on the line up inspired Mighty Crown tremendously in some form or fashion.”
Bourne also said the crowning of Di General Pink Panther was a World Bash highlight and “touching moment.”
He said the popular selector was celebrated for his “unyielding contributions” to sound system, sound clash, reggae, and dancehall music and culture.”
