At the end of this year’s special edition, we are honored to be able to conduct a “question and answer” session via email to one of the great powerhouses of sound systems in Asia. The one and only, Mighty Crown. This music unit is preparing for a first historic event in Asia, the Far East Reggae Cruise on 17-22 September 2022.

Can you tell us the beginning of the Mighty Crown? What brings Mighty Crown to the sound system culture?

Mighty Crown was founded in 1991 at Yokohama, Japan.  Everybody around us used to hang out in reggae bars and clubs in Yokohama because those places were the hot spots back in the days. We thought that the dancehall & reggae music played at those spots were cool which influenced us from forming our own crew.

How was the sound system culture in Japan when Mighty Crown was first formed in 1991?

The culture was really small at that time. Only a few sounds from Yokohama, Nagoya, Tokyo and Osaka were active.

What were Mighty Crown’s toughest challenges in its 30-year career?

To compete against the best sounds as a Japanese Sound. 

Do you still have something you’d like to achieve after this 30-year career?

We want to bring Mighty Crown and the dancehall reggae scene to a different dimension. The Mighty Crown legacy will never end. We also want to help the younger generation develop their career.

Tell me about the beginning of Mighty Crown following the soundclash event in Jamaica? And who is Mighty Crown’s toughest opponent in the soundclash? Are there any tense moments while participating in SoundClash?

Being accepted and respected in the soundclash scene as a Japanese Sound (Non- Jamaican) was a big challenge. Jamaicans won’t give you the credit freehanded until you deserve it. You have to work extra hard and fight for it! We have clashed against the best sounds in the world like Killamanjaro, Bass Odyssey, Black Kat, Tony Matterhorn and David Rodigan. All these sounds were not easy to beat at their prime. There were lots of tense moments. Gunshots, fights, bottles and rocks thrown at stage.

You are known for having various dubplates from big names, what was your first collection? How can you get it?

Our first dubplate was Nicodemus voiced in Brooklyn.  Sami-T used to live in Brooklyn and that’s how he got the dub link.

Having the collection from the likes of Alton Ellis to Damian Marley, can you tell us what’s your “hardest to get” dubplate?

You could basically voice any dubs from any artists if the artist understands the dubplate culture and if the artist is still alive. The hard part is to work on their time. 

If Bob Marley were still alive, which Bob Marley song would you like to have ? Why?

Mighty Crown has 4 selectors so you will get 4 different answers. The list will be too long to answer! 

In some countries, dubplate is less popular. Can you share some advice from Mighty Crown how to make it more popular?

The international dance and party scene have changed from more dubs to less dubs. The most important thing is for sound to be popular in order to make the dubs popular.

And, what’s your advice to anyone who would like to get a dubplate? Maybe a shortcut or special tips?

Make links with the artists and studio engineers. 

Mighty Crown will celebrate its 30-year career by hosting a party on a cruise ship. Can you tell us the beginning of this idea? Is it inspired by the Jamrock Reggae Cruise? Can you tell us a little about the names that will join this party? Will you also share the stage to any selector or MC to join?

Shout out to Damian Marley. We definitely got inspired by Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise. All the top Japanese reggae & dancehall artists, sounds and dj’s. We will also be bringing Rory from Stone Love (Jamaica), Bobby Kondors from Massive B (NY/HOT 97) and Deejay Puffy from Barbados. We can’t say anything at this moment but we are planning on bringing the top reggae acts from Jamaica. This will be history in Japan and all of Asia.

After a 30 years spanning career, are there any names that mean a lot to your musical journey? Who and what did they share with you?

Definitely Irish & Chin who are our management, brother and family. Mighty Crown and Chin went through some many challenges for over 20 years. Words can’t explain everything.

As one of the units that has inspired many people, what would Mighty Crown want to convey to the younger generation who are just about to embark on a sound system culture?

It doesn’t matter which country you are from because the most important thing is to dedicate and believe in what you love. If you have the passion and love you will make it one day.

We are an Indonesian based Jamaican music fanzine, let us thank you for this opportunity. Is there a message you would like to share to Mighty Crown’s followers, especially to those in the Asian region?

Thank you for having us. We want all reggae & dancehall fans to come join the first historic Fareast Reggae Cruise. We want all Asian reggae fans to be part of the history that we are all creating here in Asia. One Love !!