ORIGINALS REMIXED presents Mighty Crown
Mighty Crown find inspiration in Hip Hop, R&B, Dubstep, Punk Rock and Pop, while always holding reggae and dancehall at the core of their music. Since they came together, they’ve pushed the boundaries of commercial music in Japan, greatly contributing to the expansion of reggae music and Jamaican culture throughout the country. Sharing our affinity with the legendary Trojan Records, Mighty Crown naturally connects with us for ORIGINALS REMIXED.
Stay tuned for the release of Mighty Crown’s remix and exclusive documentary from 30th July… until then here’s a few words from the Mighty Crown family:
For those that don't know, please give us a brief introduction of Mighty Crown. How did you start? Who is in the crew?
Mighty Crown is a reggae - dancehall sound system (Group of DJs and selectors) formed in 1991 in Yokohama, Japan. The members are Masta Simon, Sami-T, Cojie, Super-G, Ninja (NY). We have been touring throughout the USA, Canada, the Carribean Islands and lots of European countries since 1999, which is the year we became the first non-Jamaican sound to win a World Clash (international sound clash which is similar to a DJ battle) title.
Where do you currently live as a group and spend most of your time?
Yokohama (Japan) and New York.
Who's been your biggest inspiration music wise?
Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Super Cat, Buju Banton, etc…
Who's been your biggest inspiration style wise?
Many sound systems from the past, like Captain Midnight from Super Saint, Rory from Stone Love, Silver Hawk, Killamanjaro, so many!!!
How would you describe your music?
Unique and original because we play a variety of music!
Reggae & Dancehall based sound mixed with Hip Hop, R&B, Dubstep, Punk Rock, Pop…
Has your music direction changed over time?
Yes.
You guys are deemed as the pinnacle of the soundclash art form and of the internationalism of reggae, dub, and dancehall music how does that feel?
It feels great to win so many international soundclash trophies over the years.
Explain a little about your affinity with Jamaica and reggae as a genre?
Reggae music is our lifestyle. We have a special relationship, like marriage!
Reggae and dancehall seems to be very popular in Japan at the moment. When did Reggae come to Japan? Why do you think it has taken off so much?
Reggae has been around from the 80’s. Big reggae events were kept during the early 90`s but the music slowed down around the mid 90`s. After a few years, reggae started developing and took off to a different level in the early 00`s.
I think there are lots of reasons why the music became really big, but one of the factors was us winning a world clash title. Other reasons will be Japanese reggae / dancehall artists signing to major label companies, mix cds, lots of big events and last but not least, the people are feeling the heart beat of reggae!
You host an annual reggae festival in Yokohama. Describe that for us and how it started?
The event started in 1995 where 150 people attended. The concept of the event was to keep a party of our own with strictly unsigned Japanese artists. Another concept was to keep a good party in our hometown YOKOHAMA. The event got bigger each year from 150 to 300, 300 – 1000, 1500-2000, then to 10,000 in 2003. 20,000 in 2004 & 2005, and finally the stadium in 2006 with 40,000 people.
It has changed to a monster event.
Where does Mighty Crown source its music from? Are there many reggae record shops in Japan or do you travel to Jamaica often?
We use to source our music from record stores in Japan, New York, Jamaica. Right now, we source our music mostly through internet.
Could you mention a top reggae tune for us? What works well in your mixes?
To name just a few vintage reggae dancehall tunes; Super Cat – Come Down, Super Cat – Vineyard Party, Johnny Osbourne – Budy Bye, Dennis Brown – Here I Come, Half Pint – Greetings.
Damian Marley songs like Welcome to Jamrock always work well and also new tune called the Affairs of the Heart, which was recently a No.1 song in Jamaica, works very well! There are sooo many songs to choose from!
What do you think of Clarks Originals and what it’s been doing with musicians?
Clarks Originals is a well-known brand amongst musicians and artists. Especially being part of the reggae industry, the brand is something special.
Why do you think Originals has been such a huge part of Jamaican style and music culture?
Clarks Originals has been a huge part of the Jamaican style and music because lots of people had access to UK fashion. Also lots of artists were singing about Clarks Originals styles in their songs, which automatically became part of the culture.
Are you a Desert Boot or Wallabees fan and why?
I think Desert Boot fans compared to Wallabees. The style and bad boy image!!
Keeping things fresh throughout the coming months, we’re releasing a remix for free download every month, while our four producers will also show you around their home cities of London, Naples, Tokyo and LA in four exclusive documentaries and interviews.
