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Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until January 01, 2025

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Disruptive Technology in Sound Clash Culture: Narratives of Technological Adoptions and Performance in Competition

Charles, Franklyn W.
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9198-2542
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565706604776981

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Mass Communication (Communication).
With fierce battles and the speeches that take a personal turn, the sound clash competition is not for the thin skin individual who lack a way with words. Since the inception of the art form during the 1940s in Kingston, Jamaica sound system culture remains a cultural apparatus spreading Caribbean culture and music worldwide. The sound clash is identified as one of the most entertaining events where competitors square off with customized songs known as dubplates and speech as they work to defeat each other by gaining the adulation of the crowd. The sound clash is an event where the emcee (MC) and selector work in conjunction to provide an entertaining event for attendees. This study examines the impact of technological adaptation in sound clash competition. Specifically, the study investigates the impact of disruptive technologies on the performance of sound system operators. As sound system culture evolved, the adaptation of various technological components has played a significant role in how the culture progressed. During the early period, sound system operators utilized rudimentary public address (PA) components for the reproduction of music. As access to equipment became ubiquitous, sound system owners began amassing components making their system increasingly more powerful with upgraded amplifiers and speakers. What began as a system capable of producing 300 watts eventually morphed into a juggernaut system capable of producing 20,000 watts. As new equipment developed, owners continued to add components making their sets more powerful. This study adopts a qualitative methodology utilizing in-depth interviews for data collection. To discern the impact of disruptive technology on sound clash performance, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven participants involved in sound clash culture in various levels. The data was coded through open coding in the first cycle and axial coding in the second cycle. The data was then analyzed through a thematic analysis process where themes were developed for identifying similarities among the participants experiences. After the thematic analysis, the data was reported through a narrative writing process. Findings reveal that disruptive technologies have impacted the art form in several ways. The majority of participants reported that due to the omnipresence of disruptive technologies, the apprenticeship that existed during the analog era has disappeared along with the foundational elements of the art form. Furthermore, the relationships that existed between artists and sound people have diminished since the dubplate studios have also disappeared. Additionally, the creativity that was once a vital element of a sound person has also been reduced especially in the dubplates played in competitions.  
Steve Howard, PhD (Advisor)
Arthur Cromwell, PhD (Committee Member)
Jatin Srivastave, PhD (Committee Member)
Akil Houston, Phd (Committee Member)
261 p.
Communication; Multimedia Communications
Disruptive Technology; Sound Clash Culture; Sound System Culture; Social Identity Theory; Diaspora; Qualitative Interviewing; Semi-Structured Interview

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Charles, F. W. (2019). Disruptive Technology in Sound Clash Culture: Narratives of Technological Adoptions and Performance in Competition [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565706604776981

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Charles, Franklyn. Disruptive Technology in Sound Clash Culture: Narratives of Technological Adoptions and Performance in Competition. 2019. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565706604776981.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Charles, Franklyn. "Disruptive Technology in Sound Clash Culture: Narratives of Technological Adoptions and Performance in Competition." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565706604776981

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1565706604776981
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.