The Guinness Sound of Greatness (GSOG) sound clash second semi-finals erupted in a frenzy of sound and energy at Stadium East on Saturday, June 22, with four top sound systems vying for a spot in the finals.

When the night settled, Simple Touch emerged victorious, as their seamless transitions, well-curated selections, and high energy solidified their position as a force to be reckoned with in the sound clash arena.

“Once we saw how packed Stadium East was and how the crowd was fully engaged, the energy was intense, with people dancing and singing along to every song from our set performances. We were confident going into the final round with BlaccWiddo,” expressed DJ Levon.

The true spirit of GSOG came alive as patrons arrived with horns and pot covers, ready to cheer on their favourite sound system.

Soup and food vendors set up shop, adding to the festive atmosphere. A zinc backdrop with spray paint allowed attendees to write their names, further enhancing the event’s look and feel.

The air was thick with anticipation as the sound systems prepared to battle it out, each eager to prove their worth in this fierce competition.

The competition kicked off with emcee Badda Bling setting the tone for the night’s three rounds. The first round saw Black Widdo go head-to-head with Eagle Force and Simple Touch face off against El Chappo.

BlaccWiddo and Simple Touch emerged as the winners of their respective rounds, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown.

BlaccWiddo and Simple Touch kicked off the first round with their unique styles. BlaccWiddo impressed with their ‘exceptional juggling skills,’ while Simple Touch stood out with their ‘creative song-mix selection,’ setting the stage for an exciting competition.

In the second round, both sound systems were tasked with playing five international reggae songs. BlaccWiddo delivered a set of international reggae hits, including Sister Nancy’s “Bam Bam” and Toots and the Maytals’ “Pressure Drop.”

Simple Touch is equally impressed with their mix of Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come” and Shaggy’s “Strength of a Woman.” DJ Delano of Renaissance praised BlaccWiddo’s “deep-rooted reggae vibe,” while Collin Hines noted Simple Touch’s “impressive song selections.”

The final round took an unexpected turn as both sound systems engaged in an intense dub-fi-dub battle.

Despite a penalty for playing a song with expletives, Simple Touch’s precision and crowd engagement earned them high scores and a win from the judges, a twist that no one saw coming.

DJ Axy of Simple Touch Sound System expressed, “It is such a joy as a country sound to reach this far. We knew the rule from the start; it was clear: no indecent language. When the error happened, my heart was in my mouth, wondering if we gave it [the chance to win] away. It was an honest mistake; I’m still happy we pulled through, and the judges still saw us as the best sound system to play in the finals.

“The support humbles us, and we can’t wait to take it to the next level in the finals. Big up to BlaccWiddo; they pushed us to bring our A-game. Now, it’s time to focus on the ultimate prize—the Guinness Sound of Greatness title!” added Simple Touch.

Simple Touch’s victory marks a significant milestone in the GSOG competition, securing their spot in the finals alongside RockWildaz. 

“The stage is now set for the ultimate battle at the GSOG Finals at Mas Camp on July 6. This is the moment that all the sound systems have been working towards, where only one will be crowned the champion. The tension is building, and the excitement is high for this epic showdown that cannot be missed,” expressed brand manager Nadine Hylton.

With GSOG events at each clash, you can always expect a guest performance to top the night, and the second semi-final was no different.

Bayka took the stage, delivering some fan favourites like Celebration, Mobster, and Watch It, and when the crowd thought it was over, he delivered More and More.