Asaase Sound Clash was a win for all

On Saturday 12 September 2020, the world was treated to sizzling music sets by Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale at the maiden Asaase Sound Clash.

The event, which took place at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, was streamed live worldwide.

The two multi-talented giants of dancehall electrified the venue and dominated the stage in a first-of-its-kind performance: this was the first ever reggae-school sound clash streamed live across the African continent, taking roots music from the Caribbean back to its roots and out again to the black diaspora.

Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy went head-to-head in lyrical battle, each artist delivering over 40 hit songs. By the end of the night, it was clear that both Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale were unquestionably deserving of the iconic status that they hold  and that it is impossible to rank one above the other.

Commenting on the event, Naomi Nelson-Barnes, head of marketing, communications, events and promotions at Asaase Radio, said: “The artists’ performance was way beyond what I ever imagined and I am so happy that we were able to put this event together.

“We cannot determine who the king of dancehall is. At this point we have left it completely in the hands of the general public to decide for themselves.”

Texting power

Leading up to the event, Asaase Radio engaged in several activities, including making donations of personal protection equipment (PPE) at the public polyclinic in Ashaiman, the home base of BHIM Nation, and the Korle-Bu Polyclinic in Korle Gonno, where the President of the Shatta Movement hails from.

There was also an on-air text-and-win promotion in which the general public was asked to send a text to a dedicated short code to say who they think the King of Dancehall is. The prize for the person with the highest number of texts at the end of the polls? A brand-new car.

Over the weeks preceding the event, thousands of people texted in, and as they did, the results fluctuated, with the texts swaying towards one artist and then back to the other. Indeed, on the day of the Sound Clash, the results of the text-ins swayed almost hourly until 8.30pm, when the polls closed.

However, once the system had concluded collating all the texts received, working up to the five-minute processing period beyond the cut-off point which is given to every text-in process – including texts that had been initiated as late as 8.29pm, right before closing time – Patrick Mensah Nartey emerged as the winner of the promotion, with 48,775 individual text messages in support of his favourite artist.

“Amazing dedication”

On Thursday 17 September, after vetting, authentication and approval by the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Nartey received his prize, a brand-new Mahindra KUV 100. The presentation of the car took place during a short ceremony at the premises of Asaase Radio in Cantonments, Accra.

Speaking to the press immediately after the handing-over, Nana Opoku Agyeman, chief executive officer of Asaase Broadcasting Company Ltd, noted: “It is amazing to see such dedication as has been displayed by Mr Patrick Nartey… He truly deserves to win this car.”

Nana Opoku Agyeman added: “Mr Nartey has told us that he is definitely a staunch supporter of the Shatta Movement, and therefore texted accordingly. This does not mean in any way that the SM camp has won anything over the BHIM Nation, irrespective of whose supporter he is.”

The Asaase Sound Clash was produced in partnership with Digicraft Brand Solutions Ltd and Purp Star Ghana Ltd. The event was supported by the Ministry of Health, Ghana Tourism Authority, Visit Ghana and National Lottery Authority.

It was also sponsored by Universal Merchant Bank (UMB), Svani Group Ltd, Betway Ltd, the National Petroleum Authority, Serene Insurance, McDan Shipping and First Sky Ltd.

Asaase News correspondents

* Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online.
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
#asaaseradio  #TVOL