Thu | Feb 19, 2026

Reggae Sumfest | Global Sound Clash pays tribute to Merciless; Exodus disqualified

Published:Friday | July 22, 2022 | 3:20 AM
Pause
Representing both Jamaica and Guyana, Exodus Nuclear was disqualified for their use of profanities.
Ashley Anguin
Representing both Jamaica and Guyana, Exodus Nuclear was disqualified for their use of profanities.
Bass Odyssey from Jamaica paid tribute to late dancehall veteran, Merciless, and played a brand new dub from the deejay in Round One of the competition.
Ashley Anguin
Bass Odyssey from Jamaica paid tribute to late dancehall veteran, Merciless, and played a brand new dub from the deejay in Round One of the competition.
Warrior Sound, out of Germany, was one of two sounds that paid musical tribute to Merciless.
Ashley Anguin
Warrior Sound, out of Germany, was one of two sounds that paid musical tribute to Merciless.
Joe Bogdanovich, promoter, Reggae Sumfest and chief executive officer of Downsound Entertainment, records the clash from the sidelines.
Ashley Anguin
Joe Bogdanovich, promoter, Reggae Sumfest and chief executive officer of Downsound Entertainment, records the clash from the sidelines.
1
2
3
4

Following musical tributes to Merciless from Warrior Sound out of Germany and Bass Odyssey from Jamaica at the Global Sound Clash, the producers of Reggae Sumfest asked for 30 seconds of silence to pay tribute to the fallen soldier. Merciless, whose 2000 clash at Sting against Ninjaman, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man is indelibly written in the annals of dancehall history, was found dead in a hotel room in St Andrew last Tuesday.

In remembering the lyrical deejay, Sumfest stated: "Merciless brought us a lot of joy in the sound clash ... he brought us a lot of joy in the parties across Jamaica and the world at large. Rest in peace, mi general Leonard Bartley. We remember the contribution that you made to dancehall, and it is very unfortunate that you are not here today, but I know that your dub plates will be played here tonight but may your soul rest in peace."

FIRST ROUND

In Round One, Warrior Sound played a long-time dub plate from the deejay, but Bass Odyssey bested them when they drew a brand new dub plate and, in true clash style, made a big deal of it.

The dub was one which had been specially cut for this Global Sound Clash, evidenced by Merciless calling the names of all the sounds in this clash.

The first round saw the sounds unleashing 10 minutes of juggling. Dubs and 45s were allowed in the first round, but only dubs would be allowed in successive rounds. And it was emphasised that no profanities were allowed. That rule, however, was broken quite a few times, especially by Exodus, and the organisers took the decision to kick them out of the competition.

"Exodus will now make its Exodus. We not even voting," the emcee announced. The issue of profanities, the audience was told, was not in keeping with the values of the corporate sponsors.

At the opening of the clash, first off was Mystic Sound representing Canada; followed by Exodus Nuclear, representing Guyana and Jamaica; Silver Hawk, Warrior Sound and Bass Odyssey. All four sounds automatically qualified for Round Two, after which the tin pan sounds would start dropping out.

Warrior Sound is the defending champions.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com