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Boom Boom
Black Blunt dealt fellow hot-shot contender Coppershot an uneasy blow last week and emerged the clear victors as action continued to find the greatest sound in Jamaica through the Guinness Sounds of Greatness Competition.
The next challengers will be Boom Boom and Maestro.
Sound system selector Boom Boom says music is one of few things that literally helped to keep him alive. Born Marlon Wizzard, and a son of Grants Pen, Kingston, Boom Boom admits that taking the musical journey was actually a combination of opportunity and natural talent.
Also a talented footballer, he shares that he got his alias due to the close relationship he has with his grandmother. He was often at her side while she traversed the streets of Kingston, whether for business or pleasure. Because she was fat, people would often say "here come Fatty and Boom Boom," as the two emerged. The name stuck, and Boom Boom was proud to take on such a moniker because it represented an individual he credits as his backbone.
Boom Boom started to trod the musical highway in the early 1990s and credits some members of dancehall artiste Mavado's Gully Squad for helping to propel his career in the right direction, introducing him to fellow deejay Bounty Killer. In his earlier days, Boom Boom selected on the sound system Invaders, as well as a sound in England known as Ford X4. However, it was in 2005 that he decided to take the musical mantle himself and thus formed his own sound system. Boom Boom is complemented by Harry Hype.
Boom Boom has plied his musical wares in places such as England, the US, Canada and parts of the Caribbean. He also said that he entered the Guinness Sounds of Greatness competition to get promotion and further share his talent. This confident musician believes he was born a winner, and has this to say to his competitor, "Empty barrels make the most noise."
Don't be fooled by his short stature, as when it comes to experience, talent and versatility in the music business, hot-shot contender Maestro is a giant.
Born Carl Shelley, Maestro admits that it was actually music which chose him. He adds that his moniker arose from his view of himself as an entertainer to his audience and his masterful skills when it comes to music.
A native of western Kingston, Maestro says he grew up on foundation music and credits the founding fathers of reggae and other genres as the lifeblood that fuelled his passion for music. He adds that many young music enthusiasts are poor in their appreciation for the art as they often rely only on current hits. As such, their understanding is limited.
Maestro reveals that he actually started playing music at the age of 14, and will be doing so as long as he lives. This love has given him the opportunity to share his talent the world over. He describes his prowess as that of a master musician who is able to skilfully lead an orchestra and equally bemuse his audience.
Over the years, his love for music on a whole has taken him across the world and, as such, has garnered many life-changing experiences. Calling himself the master of music, Maestro also plays the drums and says his versatility and keen ear for the art form make him a cut above the rest.
He is confident that when the dust settles he will emerge the victor, after taking his victim down with his musical venom. Although not discrediting his competitor, he has a few words of caution: "I am very experienced and very spontaneous, so look out."
Maestro
