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The Winning Combination of Metromedia and Renaissance

Reggae + Poker = Perfect Fridays

 
The Sound System Fridays’ line-up saw legendary Sounds – Metromedia, Renaissance, Heatwave, and Step-A-Choice tearing it up inside the ReggaeMania studio. Earlier that day, I received words from the promoter that Bass Odyssey wasn’t able to make it to Canada due to circumstances beyond his control. So now, it was up to Metromedia and Renaissance to carry the show alongside Heatwave and sidekick Step-A-Choice Sound. The anticipation of waiting to see and hear both Sounds reminded me of poker. Holding five cards on my hand and waiting for the right card to appear makes my heart beat faster. Relief sets in once I know that I have a winning hand. Because of poker’s effect on people, many musicians including reggae artists have become hooked on this game. A perfect example of this is Snoop Lion, formerly known as hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg. He has competed in several tournaments including the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. This annual poker event gathers some of the world’s greatest poker players – from Peter Eastgate who is sponsored by https://poker1.betfair.com/ to Oscar-winner Ben Affleck. After being transformed into a Rastafarian, I wonder if Snoop Lion will become a better poker player. Just thinking about all of this made me want to get my hands on a deck of cards (or my laptop since poker can now be played online).

I started playing poker, expecting the scheduled Sounds to show up after 10 PM (par for the course as of late), but to my surprise, at 9:05 PM, I heard a knock on the door and saw Metromedia’s Sky Juice alongside Jazzy T from Renaissance with escort Shock Deeze of Lexus Supreme Music Group walking in. DJ Kenny would arrive on a late flight thus unfortunately missing the show. Delighted that they showed up on time, I immediately finished my game and let Metromedia shine. Oliver was not present, so all the selecting would be done by Skully. The bad news was that these iconic Sounds – Metromedia and Renaissance had to leave by 9:35 PM to get ready for their next gig (Love & Dancehall Reggae Giants at The Guvernment). So, while it was great having Metromedia in the studio, it really was a tease. Sky Juice, upon walking in, really loved the vibe – everyone in the studio was having fun except Jazzy T, who’s suffering from a migraine. He talked on the mic a bit, but didn’t spin any classic Renaissance dubs. This was okay with Sky Juice, who sat down and selected dubs that his younger counterparts would’ve played with a little chat going on. What was interesting was that the viewers and listeners at home could not see or hear Sky Juice’s ad lib, which was comical! For almost every Foundation dub that he selected, he would bother Jazzy T, asking him, “You know this one?” For the most part, Jazzy T ignored him and tried to nurse his migraine, but as Sky Juice continued on, it was clear that Metromedia was in ‘clash’ mode – warming up for their following night gig where they would meet Renaissance Sound in war at World Clash R.E.S.E.T also featuring Fire Links, Soul Supreme, King Addies, Mighty Crown and LP International. Good for Sky Juice, he should never be underestimated!

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The bad news here was that, these iconic Sounds – Metromedia and Renaissance had to leave by 9:35 PM to get ready for their next gig (Love & Dancehall Reggae Giants @ Guvernment).  So, while it was great having Metromedia in the studio, it really was a tease.  Sky Juice, upon walking in, really loved the vibe – everyone in the studio was having fun with the exception of Jazzy T – he had a migraine.  He talked the mic a bit, but, didn’t spin any classic Renaissance dubs.  This was okay with Sky Juice, he sat down and selected dubs that his younger counterparts would’ve played with little mic chat.

What was interesting, that the viewers and listeners at home could not see or hear was Sky Juice’s ad lib., it was comical!  For almost every Foundation dub that he selected, he would bother Jazzy T, asking him, “you know dis one?”.  For the most part, Jazzy T ignored him and tried to nurse his migraine, but, as Sky Juice continued on, it was clear that Metromedia was in ‘clash’ mode – warming up for their following night gig where they would meet Renaissance Sound in war at World Clash R.E.S.E.T also featuring Fire Links, Soul Supreme, King Addies, Mighty Crown and LP International.  Good for Sky Juice, he should never be underestimated!

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I didn’t get the chance to do an in-depth interview with Metromedia or Renaissance due to time constraints, too bad really as I was looking forward to it, both Sounds and I go way back. Big up to Lexus Supreme Music Group for delivering Metromedia and Renaissance to ReggaeMania studio – they went above and beyond and played a few more tunes once both Sounds left, then handed it over to Step-A-Choice who then handed it over to Heatwave. Both of these Sounds dub boxes run deep – classic dubs that are so heavy that they demand to be heard. Most of Step-A-Choice’s set was sans MC, yet, it sounded so good! Spragga brought the ‘dancehall’ vibes back – his bass voice anchoring the dubs and specials made for a great end of the night. Unfortunately for Spragga, Midnight came too soon. I had to end the show at a decent time as I was scheduled to fly out early Saturday morning to New York for World Clash R.E.S.E.T. No live artists this time around, just iconic Sounds representing. I can’t wait to experience another perfect Friday just like this one where reggae and poker blended really well. Enjoy the Podcast!

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I played a few more chunes once both Sounds left, then, handed it over to Step-A-Choice who then handed it over to Heatwave.  Both of these Sounds dub boxes run deep – classic dubs that are so heavy that they demand to be heard.  Most of Step-A-Choice’s set was sans MC, yet, it sounded so good!  Spragga brought the ‘dancehall’ vibes back – his bass voice anchoring the dubs and specials made for a great end of the night.  Unfortunately for Spragga,  Midnight came too soon.  I had to end the show at a decent time as I was scheduled to fly out early Saturday morning to New York for World Clash R.E.S.E.T.  No live artistes this time ’round, just iconic Sounds representing.  Enjoy the Podcast!

P.S. You can now find these Podcasts on iTunes – Just type ‘ReggaeMania Radio’ into their search bar.
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