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Energy Zone crowned Boom/21st Century Vybzing champions

Published:Saturday | June 8, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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1980s chart-topping dancehall artiste Major Mackerel gave an impromptu performance at the Boom/21st Century Vybzing Competition held at the Manley Horne Park in St Elizabeth on Sunday. - Photo by Mark Titus
Clive Todd (right), organiser of the Boom/21st Century 5-A-side Nite Football Championship, and Wisynco's trade marketing manager, Karen Rosen, hand over the winner's trophy and cash prize of $100,000 to the members of Diego 11 football team, who outscored Tenant 3-2 in the final on Sunday. - Photo by Mark Titus
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Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Energy Zone sound system emerged champions of the Boom/21st Century Vybzing competition after a rigorous battle with Eagle Killa in the final face-off on Sunday night in Ballards Valley, St Elizabeth, to take home the $200,000 top prize.

Both sound systems had glided to the top,outclassing 16 others that initially entered the competition some nine weeks ago.

Scores of patrons from throughout St Elizabeth and south Manchester converged on the Manley Horne Park in Ballards Valley to witness the musical battle between the two sound systems in the competition, which was being staged in the parish for the fourth time.

The final was preceded by the battle for third place between St Elizabeth-based Too Rude and Black Love from Manchester.

TOO RUDE PLACES THIRD

In the end, it was Too Rude who pocketed the $50,000 for their efforts after getting the nod from the four-man judging panel, which included veteran sound system selector Ricky Trooper and dancehall artiste Kip Rich.

The patrons were also treated to entertainment from Brimstone, Kip Rich, Khago, and 1980s chart topper Major Mackerel, among others.

The early stages of the final will be remembered more for the exuberance of the competitors' supporters, who made loud cheers. However, they settled down shortly afterwards, following a warning from the judging panel that their noise would have no bearing on the outcome.

The challenges for each contestant included juggling freestyle for five minutes with original 45s, a three-minute freestyle period with songs released before 2000, and another three minutes with dub plates only. It also included a surprise segment, which saw the host determining which artiste's song was to be played.