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Sound Trooper - Contributed
Sound-system giant Sound Trooper was established through a love affair with music. Main man Ricky Trooper revealed that it was his destiny to be an entertainer and his forming his own sound was a natural progression. Socialised into a lifestyle of music, Trooper's involvement in the art began at the tender age of nine. Trooper says proudly that during his childhood days he would often create sound-system equipment from almost anything he could salvage in his community of Richmond, St Mary.
Ricky Trooper, whose real name is Garfield McKoy, first went by the alias 'Screechie' as a DJ. However, fellow entertainer Junior (brother of dancehall legend Supercat) had a problem saying the word because of his severe lisp. Junior then renamed him Ricky, while the Trooper was inherited from a marching band, Magnificent Trooper, in which Ricky was an integral part of its drum section.
Starting his sound-system career with Kilamanjaro between 1989 and 1999, Trooper formed his own sound system because he saw it as the only way he knew to express his personal talent in entertainment. Over the years, he has carried the musical flag across the globe to places such as Japan, Europe and parts of the Caribbean, and has matched wits with, and even outshone, many other sounds.
Known for the energy he takes to the stage and his witty personality, Trooper says this competition is one avenue in which he can share his creativity while doing what he has become second nature to him. Although jovial by nature, he admits that he takes his fans very seriously, as they are the oil that keeps his engine going.
His preparation routine includes a careful research on his opponent. With this, he establishes a package based on their strengths and weaknesses. To his opponent, he says: "Winnings wi seh dis trip".
Black Kat comprises top DJs Pink Panther, Stewy, Copper Cat, Fire Agent, DJ Skinny, Yunzy and Killa Mark. A known contender in the entertainment industry, Black Kat front man Killa Mark, real name Mark Linton, first honed his musical skills in church as a guitar
player, but it was not to stop there.
His eventual days in sound-system operation began with a sound known as Fantasy in Trelawny. It was in 1995 that he really took a more serious interest in the sound business and played on a system known as Sound Zion from Connecticut, USA. This laid the foundation for him to join the Black Kat Sound system.
Killa Mark reveals that, when it comes to sound clashes, he takes nothing for granted and keeps himself abreast of the trends in the business and is always prepared. His tenacity, creativity and overall attitude when it comes to sound clashing are the reasons behind his given alias. He admits, too, that the method to his madness is simply his love for music and entertainment.
Killa Mark lists his most recent achievement as winning the 2010 World Clash - Death Before Dishonour competition, and credits veteran sounds such as Kilamanjaro, Stone Love, among others, for the foundation they have set in sound clashing in Jamaica, which he describes as a dying art form.
His preparation routine includes keeping current while doing continuous research on how he can further sharpen his skills. The proper selection of dub plates also plays a major part in his preparation.
Black Kat entered the Guinness Sounds of Greatness competition to not only showcase their talent, but to be the ultimate champion. Jokingly, he refers to his opponent Ricky Trooper as having 'lost a lot of ratings', especially since the YouTube debacle, and has a simple warning for him: "Look out for the unexpected!"
Watch this exciting matchup between Sound Trooper and Black Kat this Saturday at 9:30 p.m., only on TVJ.
Black Kat - Contributed
