Sound System Outernational (SSO) is a research group of practitioners and researchers, based at Goldsmiths, University of London. We are dedicated to recognizing, stimulating and supporting sound system culture worldwide.

There are more sound systems in operation around the world than ever before, more women’s sound systems, more aficionados, more practitioners and more interest across different countries around the globe. Goldsmiths is located in South East London, a historic centre of the capital’s sound system culture.

Sound System Cultures: Knowledges and Practices

In the first part of this talk, illustrated with music tracks, Julian Henriques gives some background on sound system culture in Jamaica based on many years of research there. He concentrates on the classic roots reggae and dub culture as this is what has had the most influence and travelled worldwide. It describes the dancehall session and the sound system as the instrument that gives the music its distinctive sound. As well as the DJs and selectors, the audio engineers play a vital role in fine-tuning their set of equipment to maximise the vibes for the crowd. Their sonic knowledge, techniques and experience is at the heart of the entire dancehall scene.

In the second part, Brian D’Aquino focuses on the electromagnetic diaspora of the reggae sound system, tracing its spread from Jamaica to the UK and Europe and then to the rest of the world. Drawing on five years of global sound system research, alongside his own professional practice, he examines the fractures, tensions, and continuities that shape contemporary reggae sound system culture. The talk explores questions of ownership, adaptation, and the social and political implications of this technomusical practice as it travels across and is shaped by different cultural contexts.