Sound systems are losing their power – Marc Chin

Resident DJ from Coppershot Sound Marc Chin said he believes sound systems are losing their power.

With the DJ being a member of the pioneer sound system for nearly two decades, he still exuberates meaningful passion for the art which stemmed from his musical lineage and personal fulfilment from music. However, he said he accepts the reality that with music evolving, the foundation of dancehall music is slowing fading.

"Sound systems and radio disc jocks are no longer the mainstream of introducing music to people. People are getting their music from different streaming platforms even before it reaches deejays or selectors. So people dictate what music they want to hear now and it's not on the DJs to dictate that anymore; we don't have that power anymore and it's unfortunate," he told THE STAR.

In a recent interview with THE STAR, sound system veteran Chin, of Irish and Chin, said that sound system culture is dying due to the high prices to record dubplates. He argued that dubplates cannot afford dubs, and "the culture dictated that you cannot be a 'bad sound' if you don't have certain dubs".

Contrary to that view, Marc Chin said dubplates do not carry the same weight or power as they did in the past.

"So even when you have the dubplates, dubplates don't translate now like what they translated before," he said. But, when asked if he thought the sound system culture in Jamaica is dying, he admitted "it is".

"Everybody is a DJ now, nobody wants to be a part of a sound system anymore," he said.

He made these statements shortly after Coppershot Sound was honoured at last Saturday's Strictly 2K, held at Mas Camp in St Andrew.

Chart-topping dancehall superstar Charly Black and former dancehall queen Mad Michelle were also honoured. They were awarded for their excellent and noteworthy works within the musical sphere which has helped to shape Jamaica's culture in the 2000s and 2010s.

"It's always good to be recognised in Jamaica because we've been recognised all over the world that we've travelled. But everything starts here, and being on the home soil and to get recognition from Strictly 2K, a party that has been celebrating nine years, it really means a lot. We've been here before 2K (the 2000s) so it means a whole lot to us," he said.

Coppershot Sound was founded in 1994 by Jason 'Jig Zag' Henriques, Matthew Gray and Shaun 'Copper Shaun' Anderson, and has been one of the most dominant and innovative groups taking dancehall culture to global boundaries.

Marc Chin said despite the slowed interest and value that's placed on sound systems now, Coppershot is still assisting young selectors and mixers in honing their craft while moving along with the musical evolutions.

"What I do believe is that everything in life evolves. I don't know if the evolution for DJs will be 'no DJs' with the influence of AI (artificial intelligence) and all a dat. I don't know what the future holds, but I hope there's some space for DJs who have the craft, can blend, scratch and mix music and who can juggle. I just hope there's still a space for them in the future," he said.

"Coppershot have young people coming up, learning the craft and playing at parties, so we'll still be around," he added.