I remember missing the 2014 Culture Clash more than most events I attended during that period. Whispers of a then 21-year-old Stormzy staking his name in the grime scene alongside legends like Chip and Wiley, or Sir David Rodigan swinging his cardigan to dubplates of some of the biggest UK rave classics percolated through the unofficial Sixth Form smoking area, long before footage of the event made it online. What made the event so significant was that it spoke a language fundamental to UK music and those who grew up within it – a language of wheel-ups and gunfingers, and of summers spent at Notting Hill Carnival.

Originating in Jamaica’s community-serving sound systems of the 1950s, sound clashes involve two or more crews competing to amp up the crowd as much as possible. Crews might bring out special guests, custom-made dubplates (iconic tunes specially re-recorded for a specific crew) and a whole bag of tricks to discredit their opponents. Think: 63-year-old Rodigan enlisting a BBC presenter to proclaim “A$AP Ferg and Skepta were last seen running, hand-in-hand, to Earl’s Court tube station while trying to hold up their jeans” at the iconic 2014 event. These events were exported to the UK by way of its large Caribbean diaspora, with parties thrown by the late, great Jah Shaka in the 70s and 80s inspiring a range of sound systems across the country.

Tapping into this rich culture, Red Bull hosted sound clashes in London across the early 2010s, before departing abroad in 2016. This year marks Red Bull’s return to the country after nine years, with the four competing crews reflecting how the landscape of UK music has changed during this time. Nigerian artist Teezee’s Native Soundsystem represents the key role that London played in the global ascendance of afrobeats over the last decade while, elsewhere, BBC 1XTRA host Kenny Allstar’s Voice of the Streets stands for the full spectrum of UK rap, from garage to drill. Rounding off the lineup is Punjabi-Dutch DJ Jyoty’s Homegrown crew, holding it down for the electronic music universe, and Jamaican dancehall queen Spice’s Spice Army, paying homage to the culture‘s Caribbean roots. 

Below, the crews reminisce on their favourite moments in Red Bull Culture Clash history, and how they are gearing up for this year’s event.

JYOTY SELECTS: REBEL SOUND (2012 AND 2014)

What’s your favourite Culture Clash moment?

Jyoty: I was at both the 2012 and 2014 clashes and I have to give probably the most obvious answer which is every single thing Rebel Sound did: every dubplate, every tune, every drop, guest, intro, ALL OF IT!

How have you prepared for this year’s clash? 

Jyoty: In all honesty? At this point where we’re a month out… so very little other than dreaming and being nervous. Can’t say too much at this point, obviously [laughs].

Why is it important for Culture Clash to come back now?

Jyoty: I think it’s important specifically for the UK music scene, as it educates younger generations on the roots from which many UK genres are birthed. Soundsystem culture is so pivotal to a lot that we love and proudly claim now, and it is necessary to continue to spread the word. On a global level, we are living in a time where people are online complaining about artists performing amended versions of their songs during their live shows – well guess what, that’s literally the best part! And a soundclash is (or at least should be) exactly that: special, one of one, never heard before and never will again. One night only, ‘you were there or you missed out’ type beat. It’s time to school the kids and I’m so grateful we got the call up for it.

KENNY ALLSTAR SELECTS: POPCAAN X DRAKE (2016)

What’s your favourite Culture Clash moment?

Kenny Allstar: Hands down it has to be the Popcaan playing the Drake “One Dance” dub. I honestly feel like the build-up throughout the clash between Fekky and Poppy about the “Controlla” verse led to one of the biggest payoffs in culture clash history with that dubplate moment. In my opinion, that moment alone could have won the entire clash. 

How have you prepared for this year’s clash? 

Kenny Allstar: We wanted to make sure we represented all corners of the sound that showcases the UK, so it was important to make sure every voice in the team has an input on how we rep for our sounds on the world stage. Dubs have been cut and special guests are ready, so be prepared to see something epic. 

Why is it important for Culture Clash to come back now?

Kenny Allstar: It’s a platform that allows the world to see what we do and how passionate we are about our music scene in the UK. This comes at a time when our sound is starting to break down doors globally. It’s been a dream of mine to go on this stage and rep to the fullest. I really put my heart into nights like these, and I hope the people see that on March 8.

TEEZEE SELECTS: STORMZY X ESKIMO DANCE (2016)

What’s your favourite Culture Clash moment?

Teezee: One of my favourites has to be when Stormzy joined the Eskimo Dance on stage. It was a peak moment for the culture.

 How have you prepared for this year’s clash? 

Teezee: Clashing is new to Afrobeats, so we’ve been doing a lot of research on how best to present and make sure our set is on fire. It’s all about having the perfect mix of energy, surprise and connection with the crowd. I’ve also been working with my team to perfect some key collaborations, making sure we bring something fresh and exciting to the stage. 

Why is it important for Culture Clash to come back now?

Teezee: UK music is at the forefront globally right now, so it’s essential we keep pushing the culture forward. Red Bull Culture Clash is the perfect platform to show the growth of the UK music culture and how diverse it is. Also, I believe the long gap between this year's edition and the last one demonstrates growth and constant appetite for the clash.

RAMPAGE SOUND (SPICE CREW) SELECTS: REBEL SOUND

What’s your favourite Culture Clash moment?

Rampage Sound: The masterclass in the precision of Rebel Sound – the way they worked as a team, knew the places to chat crud, where the punchlines came in and where the big surprise guest verses dropped was awesome. 

How have you prepared for this year’s clash? 

Rampage Sound: We’ve looked at what records are big for us, what always gets a rewind, who the other teams might be bringing out, who are they affiliated with? Then, we picked our records accordingly. Once we’ve got a core idea of what we’re going to do, we’ll then start thinking about what the added Spice (pun intended) might be.

Why is it important for Culture Clash to come back now?

Rampage Sound: It pays homage to the history of Jamaican clash culture. Music in the UK would be nowhere without the music and culture of Jamaica: no jungle, no garage, no funky or afroswing. You could even argue that there would be no hip-hop, given that hip-hop’s founder Kool Herc was a Jamaican who’d moved to the Bronx and created his sound to play music for his people. So I think it’s important to recognise this and pay respect where it’s due, while at the same time evolving and incorporating new styles and sounds.

Red Bull Culture Clash returns to London next month (March 8)