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ROOTSMAN LOCK OFF KING TURBO AT WANTED 2018
Some people not gonna like me after they read this! Sorry – the “truth” must be told! Last Saturday July 14th, Swan Entertainment + ISP Promo presented their highly anticipated WANTED Sound Clash featuring two-time defending champions, Rootsman; verses current 2018 World Clash champions, King Turbo, inside 1158 Aerowood Dr., Mississauga.
The first thing I will say is congratulations to the promoters for pulling off a clash that really was overdue in so many ways. Getting King Turbo to clash another Toronto Sound arguably has been like pulling teeth. Since becoming World Clash champs two years ago, the number of clashes King Turbo has accepted can be counted on one hand (not including the thumb). In all seriousness, both Canadian and international Sound Clash fans were somewhat relieved that finally, after years of talking, this ultimate clash between two of Canada’s finest Sounds, was finally going to happen, but not without some controversy.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the news had been out for several weeks leading up to WANTED that Ricky Turbo, micsman and co-founder of King Turbo, would be a no-show at WANTED. He had published a Facebook post saying so. It has been sad to see these series of events go down, but in this age of social media, many King Turbo and Sound Clash fans alike were able to monitor the in-fighting going on between King Turbo owners Andrew aka Slingshot, and Ricky Turbo aka Metro.
It seems Ricky Turbo, the mics man for King Turbo and co-captain of the Sound, had grievances with his partner, Andrew. The word was out that approximately two years ago, Slingshot, after signing a contract on behalf on King Turbo (Ricky did not sign), is alleged to have collected a substantial deposit for the WANTED event. It is alleged that to date, Ricky has not received his share of that deposit– this is what he has claimed publicly on social media. It is also alleged that Ricky Turbo has made many unsuccessful attempts to resolve this issue with partner Andrew (some of it public for all to read on social media), who to date, has not given Ricky the courtesy of a proper and professional response. For Ricky, it was simple – pay him his percentage of the WANTED money and he’ll clash! As to why partner Slingshot is choosing not to communicate – one can only guess.
The problem apparently goes even deeper and is more complicated, but we have promised after doing our research, not to disclose certain facts that were told to us in confidence should this whole thing end up in the Ontario courts for resolution. Arguably, these issues are internal King Turbo issues that should have been resolved internally and privately. Our back-to-back World Clash champions, owned by two heads not getting along, it seems, are on the brinks of breaking up, no joke.
Now, getting back to the clash; the event would go on, Andrew, bound to his contract with Swan, would apparently promise to promoters that with or without Ricky, and while internal problems are being resolved, King Turbo would show up to represent at WANTED. And show up they did, two people from the camp, Andrew aka Slingshot selecting the tunes and standing on stage alongside his young and less experienced (clash) mic talker- Dyce Lock.
People who had bought their tickets for WANTED entered the venue not knowing, yet hoping, that Ricky Turbo would show up to rep the Sound. Most people there were informed and had read or at least heard of his post about not showing at WANTED. But stranger things have happened in Sound Clash, and the hope was that at some point during the event, he would walk in, take the mic, and become a nightmare for the Rootsman contingent who may have already smelled walk over without Ricky Turbo.
Even Rootsman had to be somewhat humble during the killing just in case the Ricky Turbo ‘walk in’ scenario was a planned element of surprise. This of course, would never happen. Instead, what we witnessed was a one-sided event, a “man vs. boy” scenario of sorts when it came to micsmanship and proper Sound Clash execution. In Round One (30′), King Turbo played first. Missing was the usual King Turbo contingent usually backing the Sound. No word of a lie – the only King Turbo regulars at the clash seemed to be Slingshot and Dyce Lock, that’s it. Where was Capleton with his horns? Why was there no Jahmin (could have used his MC skills that night), no Spex (rumour is that Spex is no longer a member of King Turbo), and why were the soldiers normally backing the sound M.I.A?
In the building, were a heap of King Turbo fans ready to back their Sound. Little did they know that at the end of the night, the great majority of them would be shouting and chanting “Rooootsmaaaannnnn”. There was no other way of seeing WANTED by the end of three Rounds, it was total domination from Rootsman Sound who literally got the whip out and gave King Turbo a beating that may be detrimental to the World Clash champs down the road. Bottom line – they let down and short changed their fans, politics aside, many of who paid $50 at the door that night…to see what?
Now some of you may think I’m being over critical or too harsh with my King Turbo Sound, but fuck it, as fans, we are all stake holders in this business, and because I am a fan and a journalist, I will say it as I see it – no holding back. I can accept the fact that Ricky Turbo would not be representing King Turbo at WANTED. Yet as fans, we were still there to rally behind King Turbo and give them the forwards they deserved. But it was apparent only after a few minutes of listening to King Turbo’s first Round, that they did not prepare for WANTED. Dyce Lock, the chosen substitute mic talker for King Turbo, and Slingshot, his selector, were not in sync, and never would be for three straight Rounds. If they were trying to fool anyone, the antics wouldn’t work.
In fairness to Dyce Lock, I’ll give him credit for trying. One can only guess as to how he ended up being the King Turbo sacrificial lamb, but as Ranger would point out again and again during WANTED, Dyce Lock wasn’t ‘ready’ the clash arena, and certainly not an event of this magnitude. WANTED was supposed to feature Ricky Turbo vs Ranger, two of the city’s best and most experienced micsmen, but it seemed at the last minute, Dyce Lock was thrown into the ring. Good for him for standing up and taking his beating like a man. The truth was however – Dyce Lock strength and comfort zone, all his experience…is being a juggling selector. If you were at WANTED and listened to King Turbo play, you would have had the unmistakable feeling that you were at a juggling event showcasing King Turbo dubs. At some points you wanted to skank or dance as instructed by Dyce Lock. Problem was – this was not a fucking Juggling Dance, the people came to see Sound dead!
Dyce Lock’s speeches, and the music selected by Slingshot, not only in the first Round, but throughout the night, were more fit for juggling and showcasing. And although he tried playing the part, Dyce Lock was not fooling anybody. The badman flex wasn’t working at WANTED, and unlike the ignorant and intimidating roars of Ricky Turbo on the mic, Dyce Lock was more like a tamed pussycat, keeping his eyes to the ground and turning his back to the audience whenever he made any threats on the mic. At some points I had to wonder if he was personally intimidated or scared of being beat up or assaulted by the Finch man dem in the Rootsman corner (LOL).
It was personally disappointing that from the beginning to the end of WANTED (listen to the Audio), the very polite Dyce Lock did not make even one speech that connected and earned King Turbo a forward. This was punishing for the fans to endure, King Turbo, criticized for not clashing enough since being two-time back to back World Clash champions, wasn’t just losing this epic clash, they were losing respect from their own Sound Clash fraternity while getting styled by Rootsman.
Rootsman, with Ranger at the controls, must be commended for having their shit together before, during, and even after WANTED. They had been quiet leading up to WANTED, but that didn’t mean they weren’t preparing inside the camps to kill King Turbo at all costs. It would be a good look for any Sound to defeat the two time back-to-back World Clash champs, but without their veteran Ricky Turbo on the mic, the opportunity was there not just to defeat them, but to pounce, unmask, embarrass, and tear down the King Turbo facade.
Rootsman arrived ready for the challenge, and sported an entourage of at least a dozen Rootsman members dressed in Rootsman T-shirts. They stood behind the sound throughout the duration of the night. King Turbo played some good tunes, but Rootsman came full of tunes, including a Jr. Cat custom and even a Polly Famous custom. Despite King Turbo promising to play the most Mavado during the night, it was the Rootsman new Mavado Dubs that would stand out and do the most damage.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Rootsman actually held back tunes at WANTED, they didn’t need to play them due to the lack of competition during three consecutive Rounds. At one point, Ranger even took time to sit down and take a water break intermission during his set, wasting a good few minutes without any consequence from the crowd. They played well, played consistently, and earned a whole heap of forwards as a result of speech matching tunes. It was the classic “father beating up the son” scenario because Dyce Lock did not have the qualifications to chat back to Ranger.
Ranger, as the classic MC that he is, said, on the mic, the same things I’m saying here, except in different words. If King Turbo had prepared, I would give them credit. But from what we saw, there was little preparation, hardly any practicing. King Turbo made a conscious decision before coming to WANTED, to wave the white flag. Somewhat like a fixed boxing match, they were guilty of entering the ring, knowing that eventually, they were going to ‘throw in the towel’.
If this was not the case, then we would be remembering just one highlight, one speech, one custom tune from the King Turbo side; but today King Turbo fans sit with no memories of any such moment. It might even be fair to say that King Turbo’s WANTED performance didn’t just cost them the clash, it also may have cost them their upcoming World Clash three-peat title. The natives are already restless and King Turbo fans feel betrayed. The fan base is speaking of intentions of giving King Turbo back the same ‘respect’ that they had just been given. Many people walking out early from WANTED were now of the opinion that it was Rootsman who truly deserved to represent Canada in World Clash, as the big bad King Turbo we knew and loved had now fallen apart like a broken machine.
Big up Rootsman for the win, and big up Ranger for a classy, superior and memorable MC performance at WANTED where he was completely in his element. Big him up for being a classic clash analyst, a great sportsman (he was way more merciful than he had to be), a great master of ceremonies, and for setting an great example to younger Sounds as to how a Sound should prepare to win a clash. His speeches were strategic and well-timed, entertaining, funny, factual, and “to the point” during all three Rounds. I could talk about hi-lights, but the Audio will speak for itself.
Big up MC Zykes (good job), Fatkat (audio recording), Gary from Zone 1 (audio), Big G (video), and all the Sound Clash fans who came out and supported. Big up Skully (Swan Promo); he worked diligently and spent big money to make this event possible. There were about 350-400 paid people in attendance (my unofficial guess is that this was not enough people for the event to profit). Each Sound had their own stage and Sound System (rented) at opposite ends of the venue.
For the record, this was the least weed smoking I’ve seen inside a clash venue in some time, security was on the no-smoking thing from the beginning, and had no problems allowing people to go outside to smoke. The clash started at 12 midnight and was over before 3:30 – thank God! It could have been a long night, because as the rules had it, a Sound had to win 3 consecutive Rounds in a row (lock-off) to be crowed WANTED Champion.
In closing, I again say congratulations to the entire Rootsman crew, not just Ranger, but the family. Ranger and English may have been the people on the stage, but the win was a team effort. As for King Turbo, well hopefully this Sound will live to clash another day. Based on what I know behind the scenes, confidential facts that cannot be revealed in this article, I worry for the future of King Turbo. I’m not sure if they won’t be able to solve their internal problems over the following year or so, but I’m starting to seriously doubt if they will be able to repair internal problems in time for October’s Irish & Chin World Clash. If we do see King Turbo at World Clash, and Dyce Lock is the MC, they should just withdraw from now. But if Ricky and Andrew can get over these stumbling blocks and repair the King Turbo machine, then there will be no better place than the World Clash stage to show this to the world.
RONelson
Click Here to See our ReggaeMania.com exclusive WANTED 1hr11 minute Event Video
Listen/Download the official WANTED 2018 Event Audio
Pics by Lisa West for ReggaeMania.com
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