Sun | Apr 12, 2026

World Clash: The End for O2 Academy May 1

Final staging features all-star sound system line-up, crowning of legends

Published:Thursday | April 28, 2022 | 12:06 AM
Pause
Canada’s Mystic Sound is the World Clash defending champion.
Contributed
Canada’s Mystic Sound is the World Clash defending champion.
Dynamq is one of nine sounds competing at the final World Clash at O2 Academy in Birmingham, UK.
File
Dynamq is one of nine sounds competing at the final World Clash at O2 Academy in Birmingham, UK.
1
2

The final World Clash of the famed sound clash series, which has been promoted by Irish and Chin Inc for over two decades, will be held on Bank Holiday, Sunday, May 1, at Birmingham’s storied O2 Academy.

The last staging will see UK-based Reggae Girls Promotions join forces with Irish and Chin to close out the globally renowned World Clash event, which has set the blueprint and raised the bar for sound clash entertainment.

“I am super proud of the World Clash brand, the many sound systems who have participated and helped cultivate the event, fans and my team,” said Garfield ‘Chin’ Bourne. “World Clash reached places, spaces and people I never imagined. It’s humbling, yet incredibly rewarding to witness World Clash have an immeasurable impact on sound clash as a form of entertainment, Jamaican music/culture and pop culture.”

At O2 Birmingham, fans will get to bid farewell to the industry’s premier sound clash, featuring nine of the industry’s most exciting sound systems and selectors from around the globe. Contenders will match wits, lyrical creativity, on stage dynamism and dubplate prowess for the final coveted World Clash title and trophy.

World Clash: The End’s fiery line-up includes Stereo 5 (United States); Rodem Cyclone (Japan), Klymaxx (Canada); Observer Supa Powa (United Kingdom); Warrior Sound (Germany); Dynamq (United States); Code Red (Jamaica); Empire Sound (United Kingdom); and defending champion Mystic, who hails from Canada.

HONOUR AND SALUTE

The historical element of the night will be further solidified during The Crowning of the Legends, which will formally honour and salute World Clash selectors and sounds who have made invaluable contributions to sound clash. Honorees include Bass Odyssey (posthumously Squingy), Panther, Tony Matterhorn, Ricky Trooper Mighty Crown and David Rodigan.

World Clash was launched by Bourne in 1998, and produced as a high-calibre entertainment event.

“World Clash not only changed the game for sound clash as we know it, but also gave selectors and sound systems a platform to catapult their brands to celebrity status. The World Clash finale’s impact will also be felt, as the popular event is the only sound clash to ever be held in the O2 Academy, joining the ranks of top acts like Rihanna, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Drake, JLS and more,” Bourne said.