Sound systems have been at the heart of reggae culture for generations. Established in Jamaica in the 1940s and ’50s, sound system culture landed in the UK in the ’60s – and without these collectives of DJs and MCs to get the party started with a mix of serious bass and delirious experimentation, reggae would never have taken such a firm grip on British popular culture. This is where it all began.

Chaired by dancehall legend Robbo Ranx (BBC Radio 1Xtra) and featuring personal contributions from three sound system pioneers, this fascinating free Zoom conversation will survey the role of the sound system in supercharging reggae’s popularity in the UK – and will be followed by a Q&A, at which you can put your questions to the panel.

All Systems Go is the first event in No Bass Like Home University, four online discussions exploring reggae’s place in British popular culture. For details of the others, visit the series homepage.

Featuring

Robbo Ranx (chair)

Jumbo (Java Nuclear Sound System)

Linett Kamala (Disya Jeneration)

Biggs (Volcano Sound System)

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Access

BSL interpretation will be provided during this session, and a video recording will be available to registrants afterwards.

Disclaimer:

This is an inclusive space that has zero tolerance for any racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, islamophobic, colonial or derogatory behaviour.