When you talk about reggae and dancehall in New York during the 1980s and 1990s, you’re talking about more than music — you’re talking about sound.
Sound systems were the backbone of the movement: towering stacks of speakers, crates of dubplates, selector crews armed with microphones, and crowds hungry for bass.

In an era before streaming or social media, these sounds were the voice of the streets — defining what played on radios, what people wore, and how they spoke.
From Brooklyn’s King Addies to Jamaica’s Bass Odyssey and Killamanjaro, these systems weren’t just entertainment — they were institutions.

Here are the Top NYC Dancehall Sounds of the Era — the heavyweights that ruled the 80s and 90s, shaping dancehall culture across New York and the world.

King Addies – The Brooklyn Powerhouse

If there was ever a crown in New York’s sound system kingdom, King Addies wore it.
Founded in Brooklyn in the early 1980s by Baby Face (Lionface) and Jack Scorpio, Addies quickly built a reputation for dominance in both juggling (party vibes) and hardcore sound clashes.

By the early 1990s, under the leadership of Baby Face, Danny Dread, and Tony Matterhorn, King Addies became a global brand — known for explosive dubplates, razor-sharp mixing, and unmatched crowd control.

Their clashes with Jamaican heavyweights like Killamanjaro, Bass Odyssey, and Bodyguard were legendary, filling venues like the Biltmore Ballroom, Q Club, and Club Amazura.

King Addies wasn’t just a sound — it was a movement.
They set the blueprint for the modern NYC dancehall experience and inspired countless local sounds that followed.

Soul Supreme – The Bronx Elite

Representing the Bronx with pride, Soul Supreme rose during the 1990s as a sharp, technical sound known for both juggling finesse and war-ready strategy.
Selectors like Lance-O and Supreme made their mark with flawless dub sequences and exclusive voicings from top artists like Buju Banton, Capleton, and Beenie Man.

What set Soul Supreme apart was their sound quality — clean, powerful, and precision-engineered — and their ability to balance party juggling with clash aggression.

They held their own against titans like Addies and LP International, making the Bronx a respected battleground in the NYC sound system circuit.

LP International – The Harlem Ambassador

Based in Harlem, LP International (Luv People) became a cornerstone of the NYC sound fraternity. Founded by Kingpin, Selassie I, and Fada George, LP International carried a unique balance — spiritual roots energy with hardcore dancehall execution.

Their signature dubplates and distinctive mic style reflected both Jamaican authenticity and Harlem’s cosmopolitan edge.
By the early 1990s, LP was clashing and touring alongside the biggest names, often representing New York abroad in major sound clash events.

LP International helped elevate NYC’s sound system culture to an international level, blending conscious roots with fierce competitiveness.

Earth Ruler – The Brooklyn Warriors

Straight out of Brooklyn came Earth Ruler Sound, known for their militant energy, raw street credibility, and a signature heavy bassline that could shake a block.

Earth Ruler was part of the second wave of Brooklyn sounds that emerged during the height of the Biltmore and Q Club eras.
They were known for deep catalog dubplates — Dennis Brown, Garnett Silk, and Tenor Saw — and for pushing lyrical and musical authenticity over hype.

In clashes, Earth Ruler’s crew was fearless, taking on big names and defending Brooklyn’s honor every time they touched the mic.

Love People Sound – The People’s Champion

Love People Sound, also known as L.P. Sound System, was a grassroots powerhouse rooted deeply in the community.
Operating across Brooklyn and the Bronx, Love People earned its reputation through consistent juggling, uplifting vibes, and connection to the people.

They didn’t always chase clashes; instead, they focused on bringing the joy of dancehall to working-class Caribbean audiences every weekend.
Their slogan could’ve been: “For the people, by the people.”

Love People Sound was a reminder that the dancehall wasn’t just about competition — it was about unity, celebration, and cultural pride.

Massive B – The Global Bridge

Founded by Bobby Konders and Jabba, Massive B was the sound that broke barriers between underground dancehall and mainstream radio.
Their sound system became the foundation of Massive B Records and Hot 97’s reggae programming, pushing Caribbean music to a broader audience.

Through both live clashes and radio influence, Massive B gave New York reggae a commercial platform — one that reached audiences beyond the dancehall crowd while keeping the sound authentic.

Their dubplates from artists like Bounty Killer, Super Cat, and Shabba Ranks defined the NYC reggae sound of the 1990s.

Afrique Sound – The Cultural Link

Afrique Sound System, led by DJ Norie and others, was one of the most consistent and respected juggling sounds in the city.
They specialized in smooth transitions between reggae, soca, R&B, and Afro-Caribbean genres — a true reflection of New York’s multicultural dance scene.

Afrique wasn’t always about clash — they were about vibes. Their sets were spiritual, sensual, and full of crowd participation.
From clubs like the Biltmore, Love People Center, and Amazura, Afrique helped keep the reggae party scene alive even as trends changed through the ’90s.

King Eternity – The Bronx’s Rising Force

Another respected Bronx sound, King Eternity, carved out its own space during the early-to-mid 1990s.
While not as widely known internationally as Addies or LP, Eternity held its own locally, juggling for big crowds and entering competitive clashes with steady precision.

Known for their clean mixes and versatile selection — from foundation roots to modern dancehall — King Eternity was part of the Bronx’s strong contribution to NYC’s overall reggae identity.

Bass Odyssey (Jamaica) – The Sound of Thunder

While based in St. Ann, Jamaica, Bass Odyssey had a massive influence on the New York scene.
Their frequent U.S. tours brought the true sound system tradition across the water — and their clashes against New York’s top sounds at venues like Biltmore Ballroom, Club Amazura, and Q Club became legendary.

Selectors like Squingy, Keith, and Glama G made Bass Odyssey a name synonymous with raw power and street credibility.

When Bass Odyssey entered a New York clash, it wasn’t just entertainment — it was a war dance that drew thousands and tested the city’s best.

Killamanjaro (Jamaica) – The Sound Killer

From Kingston, Jamaica, Killamanjaro (aka “The Mighty Jaro”) was one of the most respected and feared sounds ever to touch New York soil.
Selectors like Ricky Trooper and Freddie Krueger carried a legendary dubplate arsenal featuring Nicodemus, Tenor Saw, Garnett Silk, and Luciano.

Killamanjaro’s clashes against King Addies, LP International, and other NYC crews at the Biltmore Ballroom are etched in dancehall history.

They represented the gold standard — pure roots, lyrical warfare, and a reminder that Jamaican authenticity was the source of the entire movement.

Legacy: The Sound Lives On

Together, these sound systems built the foundation for the dancehall diaspora.
They taught New York City how to feel bass, how to move in unison to riddims, and how to use music as a weapon of joy, identity, and survival.

Their tapes were traded hand-to-hand across neighborhoods; their selectors became stars; their clashes became the stuff of legend.
From these sounds came not only great parties, but also radio shows, record labels, artists, and movements that continue to shape reggae today.

Even now, when a selector drops a dubplate in a Brooklyn warehouse or a Bronx basement, the echoes of those giants still ring through the speakers.
The legacy of King Addies, Soul Supreme, LP International, Earth Ruler, Love People, Massive B, Afrique, King Eternity, Bass Odyssey, and Killamanjaro is eternal.

They weren’t just sounds — they were voices of a generation.