I N T E R N AT I O N A L A F FA I R S
CHANT DOWN SOUND! Melbourne’s original sound crew was formed in 2000 when radio presenter Jesse I linked with longtime reggae selector Ras Crucial. Chant Down play in the contemporary Jamaican soundsystem style, mixing the freshest reggae and dancehall together with vintage classics, custom dubplate specials, and live MCing. Chant Down’s monthly More Fire night is the longest running reggae session in Australia. The photo section on their website www.chantdown.com shows pictures from dances past, and the front page of their site lists details of dances to come. Chant Down has also hosted international artists including Jr. Reid, Michael Rose, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Jah Mason, The Gladiators, Third World and Lucky Dube; performed countless gigs and festivals in Melbourne, interstate, and abroad; and played support for acts including Lee Scratch Perry, Big Youth, Luciano, Horace Andy and many more. Chant Down played a large part in introducing Soundclash culture to Melbourne audiences, as they proceeded to clash Sydney’s Firehouse, and Perth’s Jah Wisdom Sound, as well as taking on Nasty Tek again at Globe’s “900 Degrees” party in 2003, in front of over 2000 people.
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