Top African artists to clash in Johannesburg

The four crews will be captained by AKA (SA/hip hop), Admiral (SA/dancehall), DJ Tira (SA/house), Jahseed (Zimbabwe/dancehall) and Patoranking (Nigeria/Afro-beats).

“I’ve put together a team of some of the best musical minds South Africa has to offer,” AKA said. “You ask me what my objective or plan is for Culture Clash? It’s simple enough, I’m here to win. Nothing else.”

Admiral and Jahseed are also planning to bring their fighting spirit to the competition. “We’re preparing for war right now, arming ourselves and looking forward to the battle,” they said.

The Red Bull Culture Clash concept involves four sound systems that will compete over a series of rounds. The aim of the crews will be to get the biggest reaction from the crowd to be crowned Culture Clash winner.

Here is what each camp will look like:

Top Boyz Sound System, headlined by AKA: Anatii, Jr, Master a Flat, Yanga Chief, DJ Fanatic, Twins on Decks, and secret guests.

Durban Massacre Sound System, headlined by DJ Tira: Naak Musiq, Distruction Boyz, L’vovo, Professor, Duncan, Big Nuz, Killer Kau, and secret guests.

Red Hot Sound System, headlined by Patoranking: Gemini Major, DJ Snypes, Major League DJz, Jupitar, and secret guests.

African Storm Sound System, headlined by Admiral and Jahseed: Dance Hall Queens, Tol A$$ Mo, Oskido, Speedy and Secret Guests.

The rules

Red Bull Culture Clash is split into four rounds. A crew’s set in each round will last between five and 15 minutes. A countdown clock will appear on the main screen ten seconds before the end of each set. When the time is up, the sound will fade out, then cut. Crews are actively encouraged to play custom-made dubplate specials (songs recorded by a crew) and introduce their secret guests at any time during the event. In the final round, however, it’s dubs, remixes and live performances only.

There are strictly no repeats. If a crew repeats a tune played earlier in the night, it will be disqualified from that round. The only exception is if the record is explicitly announced as “counteraction”.

How the crews will be judged

A round is won by crowd reaction. The audience will decide the winner in terms of originality, performance, song selection and energy. The final decision rests with the hosts but if the winner is too close to call, a decibel reading will provide objectivity. Livestream viewers cannot influence who wins a round.

The Red Bull Culture Clash concept was initiated by Red Bull Music Academy in the UK in 2010. It’s based on the classic Jamaican sound system culture and defined by fierce competition and big sound. Since its inception, the event has made its way around the world with clashes in New York, Lisbon and Paris.

For more information, visit the Red Bull official website.

Tickets are available via Computicket.