Rebuilding The Stolen Young Warrior Sound System

REBUILDING THE STOLEN YOUNG WARRIOR SOUND SYSTEM

WHAT HAPPENED

On the 8th March 2021 I was totally devastated when my livelihood was targeted & set upon by thieves, who stole my custom built equipment and van for the Young Warrior Sound System and The self created ‘Dubwise Festival’ organisation.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

As an Independent Musician and Sound System engineer my survival has already been massively affected by COVID-19. Just as we are about to enter a road of recovery out of lockdown and for live events to restart I cannot believe that this has happened. I cannot personally explain my feeling as I write this or to explain this loss, but it has totally crushed me both financially, mentally and also now I fear physically.

My loss totals £20,000 for my lorry and totally custom hand built system which is everything to me and I cannot now afford to replace. I am an independent artist, musician and engineer who over many years has built a well known sound system under the guidance and in the footsteps of my father. Creating something that pays homage to the vintage traditional reggae sound system as well as being a nod to today’s modern sound system technology.  

I've lost everything & I need your help to start again to ensure that my journey and legacy in Reggae music can continue. Being an asset and inspiration especially to young people coming up in the industry, is heartfelt and will be needed now more than ever due to the affects of COVID-19 on the mental health of the Reggae Music Community.


The Young Warrior Sound System is another arm of me, my Dubwise Festival organisation and is a vital resource for the community but without them I cannot provide a livelihood for myself.

I can only say if you have followed my path as an artist through the years you will truly know of its high importance and the work I have put in through the years.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

Please give whatever you can, no matter how small and what you can afford & no matter how long it takes to raise the full amount, I am committed to continue this work as it’s what I’ve been put on earth to do.

Be on the look out and please if you see any of the iconic Young Warrior Sound System boxes, equipment or vehicle please let us know.

You Can Also donate via PAYPAL
paypal.me/Dubwisefestival
 
WHAT TO DO NEXT:

Once you have donated please also share this fundraising effort. If you have also seen any of my equipment on sale on the black market or know any information please contact us or the police on 101 Reference 320498/21

MORE INFO:-

WHAT IS A SOUND SYSTEM:

A Sound System is a glorified discotech / PA system which is custom built and stems from a deep history of Caribbean culture brought to the UK & World via The first wave of Black families after the Second World War which today are known as the Windrush Generation.

Sound systems were used as community tools and entertainment for gatherings of Caribbean persons as in those days there were no representation or voice for these people. Sound System was used as a mobile newspaper bringing familiar Jamaican music and news to this community up and down the UK.

THE YOUNG WARRIOR SOUND SYSTEM:

I was just 14 when I first started organising my own community youth arts shows in Deptford.

This was an initiative to help support young people by giving them work, a place to express themselves and also show their talent to the local community.

I hired and trained only young people to run their own projects and teach talent classes to other young people to show what was possible.

Unfortunately Around this time the media was pushing a strong narrative and campaign against young people by closing venues and concerts which played music young black people would listen to in order to stop them gathering together as it was seen this was the root of high crime rates but is now found to be known as illegal racial profiling.

After a few years of working in the Lewisham and Deptford community I began to organise more shows but with me as DJ and solely promoting the music I grew up on which is Reggae Music. I did this as I saw this was one of the greatest music’s just like gospel which solely focused on equal rights, love, positivity and the upliftment of forgotten nations.

I started to play inbetween acts at the popular Lambeth Town And Country show main stage but due to the lack of playing time I thought to organise my own after party type event at the nearby Brixton Telegraph venue. I did this for 3 years and shows included a solo show also an upcoming artist all female live show called ‘UK's New Women Of Reggae’.

After travelling the globe as a young man and gaining Independant notoriety people began to always ask when is the Sound System coming.

I felt strongly about this as I was existing at a time in an industry which had no young artists, DJs or Sound Systems in my age group; the industry was predominantly elder men.

I decided to myself that this was going to be my role to play.

I was going to strongly represent and stamp feet for the next generation as someone that looks like them, plays music they know and maybe less intimidating so the message (positive music) can be more easily received by them.In doing this I have faced many obstacles, slander & fight from many in the industry that did not like such a young person coming into it with so much passion and playing such a strong role.

In 2011 after years of investment after hosting Notting-Hill carnival events from 2009, creating an organisation called ‘Dubwise Festival’ which played host to some of the biggest roots reggae lineups and finding a business partner who also saw my light I finally completed the Young Warrior Sound System which played its first event in 2011 at the Brixton Mass music venue.

Year to year I have travelled all over the world bringing this positive music to all nations and ages of people and while doing this have maintained a strong foundation in my local community by creating a project called ‘The Reggae Garden Party’ which is a series of family focused and friendly events where the system is played alongside face painting, family BBQs, bouncy castles and just great entertainment for the children in line with the ethic for them to experience what traditional sound system is and it’s music from a tender young age in order for it to be something that makes great impact on their lives.

This also helped to bring single parents & families in and out of the area together.

- Young Warrior



MEDIA LINKS:


▪️BBC 1Xtra Young Warrior’s Daily Dose Of Dub For Black History Month

https://youtu.be/1tDgoX9TMNE 

▪️BBC World Service Documentary Narrated by Young Warrior
‘British Music’s Caribbean Roots’

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct03dl 

▪️Windrush Generation Celebrations at Crystal Palace Park powered By Young Warrior Sound System

https://youtu.be/IIufzAP_YB8 

▪️Young Warrior Sound System plays The Red Bull Culture Clash 2014

https://youtu.be/kX5X9XJiSX8 

▪️ Young Warrior’s Reggae Garden Party

https://youtu.be/50Tz7RdxhTQ


CONTACT LINKS

▪️ Twitter / Instagram: @youngwarrioruk

▪️ Facebook:www.Facebook.com/youngwarrioruk