Official Dancehall Reggae Sound Clash: David Rodigan VS Downbeat [New Yo...

Official Dancehall Reggae Sound Clash: David Rodigan VS Downbeat [New York] 2006

Since the early 70’s, Tony Screw, a.k.a. Downbeat the Ruler, has been entertaining and educating crowds, from Brooklyn to Berlin, with his inimitable blend of stage presence, exclusive dubplates and a second sense for keeping a dance floor packed. Named in honor of Tony Screw’s musical mentor Sir Coxsone Dodd, Downbeat the Ruler Sound has introduced generations of reggae fans to the sounds of Studio One, the blueprint of Jamaican music.

For those who really don't know the history of Down Beat "The Ruler" here is the bio... New York City, home to a sizeable population of Jamaican emigrants, maintained a relatively low profile in the reggae world until the 1980's. Then, the music's transition from roots to dancehall was accompanied by explosive growth in New York's local reggae scene. In the Jamaican tradition, this scene was centered around locally-run sound systems, and of these, the sound now known as Downbeat the Ruler (originally called Downbeat International) has proved to be the most enduring. Founded in the seventies by selector Tony Screw, Downbeat rapidly became not only a regional force, but one that could compete with the strongest sounds from Jamaica.


Rodigan began his reggae broadcasting career in 1978 on BBC Radio London. He moved to Capital Radio in 1979 and remained there for eleven years broadcasting his legendary ‘Roots Rockers’ show every Saturday night. His credibility was ensured when he began clashing with Jamaica’s champion DJ, Barry G on JBC Radio in Jamaica. He then went on to clash with all the top Jamaican sound systems in the West Indies, the USA and England and in 2012 he won the ultimate clash victory when he took the Champion Trophy at World Clash Reset in New York.

In 1984 he joined BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Corp) where broadcast his weekly reggae show for 25 years until 2009.


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