Battle
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Red Bull Culture Clash 2023 concluded near the top of the month in Atlanta, Ga., and the quartet of battle contestants consisted of DJ crews known for rocking across the “A” and around the world. Rum Brunch Punch emerged as the eventual champions of the clash, using the tried and true method of the Jamaican sound system clash style to wow the frenzied crowd.
Hip-Hop Wired was on hand to witness Red Bull Culture Clash 2023, which made its return to Atlanta after a five-year hiatus. It was our first time covering the event and we certainly hope it won’t be our last.
The energy inside the Gateway Center Arena in College Park was high as the aforementioned Rum Brunch Punch, Bamba Tuesdays, Perreo404, and Mashup Sessions positioned themselves on their respective stages armed with special guests, surprise dubplates, and orchestrated routines.
Much like the Jamaican sound clashes of old where “sounds” or DJ sound systems would go to audio war with another sound, using the roar of the crowd in attendance to determine a winner, the Red Bull affair adopted this approach. Hosted by Paige Shari and Jessie Woo, the energetic hosts oversaw the clash over the course of four rounds with the crews getting eight minutes each to rep their sound.
Andre “Dreggae” Ruddock and Allan “Boom” Williams masterminded their winning set with the assistance of Tony Matterhorn, Troopa Traloopa, Shane Talon, Willy Chin the Remix King, DJ Jabba, Sir DJ Corey, Nasheen Fire, and DJ Prince Charm displayed a unified front as they took the stage dressed in military-style fatigues and unleashing a barrage of haymakers by rolling out dancehall artists Serani, who was listed on the bill, along with Vanessa Bling, Teejay, Aidonia, Govana, and Mr. Lexx. Another highlight of the Rum Brunch Punch set was the crew featuring violinist Mapy.
Respect should be given to Bamba Tuesdays with DJ Kash alongside Afro B providing a game set of tunes and performance while representing the rising amapiano sound while also keeping things true to Atlanta and its diverse community. During an intense third-round set, Wayne Wonder joined the Bamba Tuesdays stage and delighted the unsuspecting crowd.
Mashup Sessions repped the A’s rich Hip-Hop culture although at one point, the crew played a dubplate response record from Beres Hammond, just to keep the vibes as close to a clash as possible. Young Nudy was the listed performer and rocked his “Peaches and Eggplants” hit while TrillVille hit the stage with their “Neva Eva” smash. DJs Unruely and The Canterbury Talez also brought out buzzing Memphis spitter Gloss Up to drop her “Shabooya” in a surprise moment.
Perreo404 put on for the city’s Latin community and rocked a set that bounced around from Hip-Hop, reggaeton, and several sounds in between. DJ EU, who is Atlanta United’s official DJ, had assistance from DJ Luian Johnny Juelz and singer Nino Augustine. The crew also brought out “Roscoe Dash” to drop his verse from “No Hands.”
As it stands, the crowd went up for all their faves but Rum Brunch Punch proved to win the entire arena over with their sets, even with technical difficulties taking away some of their precious moments. It mattered little as the crew improvised like any good sound system might have to do in such times and emerged victorious.
After the clash, we briefly spoke with Willy Chin and Tony Matterhorn, legends of the dancehall and DJ scenes, along with Troopa. With all the confidence that surely was sparked by their exceptional win, the trio saluted their competition but felt like they had too much power.
“I’ve been around the world spinning records and joining clashes and to bring this style of clash to Atlanta was definitely a vibe we were glad to bring,” Willy Chin shared before rushing off and relishing in the wind.
Troopa added, “The way the crowd embraced us and showed love proved that the Carribean influence is strong here in Atlanta and across the world.”
Tony Matterhorn concluded the energy of the night stating, “We knew that when we came in here we were going to win. This was not an accident, we played the part and we got the win.”
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Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
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Red Bull Culture Clash, an event inspired by the “soundclash” battle scene first popularized in Jamaica, will make its return to Atlanta next month and will feature four popular crews facing off for the title of winner. With the clashing quartet highlighting the sounds of Dancehall, Reggaeton, Amapiano, and Hip-Hop, the crews will be assisted in their respective genres with notable fixtures of the scene.
On November 4, Rum Punch Brunch, Mashup Sessions, Bamba Tuesdays, and Perreo404, all known for throwing some of the hottest parties throughout Atlanta, will face off at the Gateway Center Arena with a special performance lined up.
Rum Punch Brunch, with DJs Tony Matterhorn and Willy Chin, will feature during its set Jamaican dancehall artist and producer Serani, Mashup Sessions will bring Young Nudy onstage with DJs Unruely and The Canterbury Tales. Bamba Tuesdays will take the stage with Afro B, with DJs Kash, DangerVybz, and Polish providing the sounds, and Perreo404 will be joined by Bad Bunny collaborator DJ Luian with assistance from DJ EU and Nino Augustine.
Along with the Red Bull Culture Clash featured crews, Atlanta legends Crime Mob will put on a performance with original members Diamond, Lil’ Jay, M.I.G., Money Blacc (Cyco Blacc), and Princess. Serving as hosts will be Jessie Woo and Paige Shari and DJ Jay Shale will provide the vibes for fans before and between sets.
Red Bull Culture Clash first kicked off in Atlanta in 2017 and returned the following year with Dancehall crew Unruly winning the battle in its first year with Frequent Fliers taking the title in 2018. The event returned to the States last year with events held in New York and Los Angeles.
“Super excited to be a part of Red Bull Culture Clash this year because I’ve been a team member a few years back with Mike WiLL (Made-It) and the Eardrummers. Now it’s time to lead the charge for my own team,” DJ Kash of Bamba Tuesdays said in a statement. “Red Bull Culture Clash is like a legit gladiator battle for DJs, producers, and whatever you do creatively in the music. For me, this is super important because this lets you know where you stand as far as how to rock a crowd.”
“Red Bull Culture Clash is an important event in Atlanta because it highlights all the people that are doing movements in the city of Atlanta – that are really putting on for the culture of the city and showcasing all the vibes and sounds of our cultures,” added DJ EU, who won Red Bull 3Style in Atlanta in 2013. “Red Bull Culture Clash takes me back to my Red Bull 3Style battling days, but this time it’s not one person – it’s the crew and I could not be happier to be repping the Latinos in Atlanta with my Perreo404 crew.”
Tickets are on sale right now. To get yours, follow this link.
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Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
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