A year ago, Front/Back, which eventually became the home grounds for iMullar Sound System Energy DJ pop-up sessions, was filled with no less than 70 people. A group of people that believed in dance culture. People that believed dance culture has a place in Accra’s creative scene, a scene that has been painted with nightlife thrills over the years, a mainstream culture for all.
A year later, Sound System celebrated its first anniversary at the Freedom Skatepark, a DJ pop-up session that saw over 2,000 people troop in to celebrate and join the community. Sound System is a community that aims to create a safe space for diverse listeners in Ghana.
In this space, people can enjoy House, Techno, Electronic, Hip-Hop and Amapiano music, with “5% Afrobeats” as stated on their website. Its other purpose is to give DJ’s the power to narrate their story and mould their sets how they want to, without interfering with their creative process, an element that has been missing in the DJ culture here.
In brutal honesty, Accra’s party/nightlife scene is stagnant, you go to three different places on a Friday night, and you’re bound to hear the same thing repeatedly, the same rotational list from other locations, which is OK. But what about that diverse listener who would like to dance to a mash-up of Ice spice vocals on a groovy production or bop their heads to some EDM party bangers? They deserve their space too.
Sound System, a day event, had to battle the “Ghana man time” culture, and surprisingly, it came out as the victor. The first edition, dubbed “001”, was one of a kind, with an all-female DJ set list, MC’d by Kojo Manuel.
It was a serene atmosphere, filming the DJs playing a live set and broadcasting it online, a much more engaging way for those streaming at home, it’s like you’re at a rave: you can sip on some drinks with your friends in your living room, put on your favourite DJ in the world and see their energy and craft.
Translating the raucous energy of a cutting-edge set from the live event to an online audience may seem an unlikely proposition, but the numbers were saying different. The place was rocking from Elinam’s smooth debut to TMSDJ’s one-hour Amapiano set and DJ Melis house/EDM set.
You could tell this was the birth of a revolutionised system in Ghana. By “004”, Sound System’s community had expanded, videos had gone viral on the internet, Djs who had memorable sets had gained new followers/fans, the type that joined the community specifically to watch their favourite DJs play on billed sessions, with the likes of Emily In Accra, Ahnansi, B. Frvnkie Sound Expansion and Anna Leonie, you walk in.
The atmosphere feels lawless and loose – not dangerous but allows people to have fun and express themselves. People are dancing all over the place, not just peacocking around the DJ, pretty girls who dress however they want and guys who look free.
That’s the beauty of the Sound System; you meet a different group of people you won’t see anywhere except the next sound system session. The same goes for the music, Ghana’s Superjazz Club gets a lot of spin at SS, with “cameras” becoming a known song.
SS brings people together in magical ways, as you’ll see people from all walks of life getting along and appreciating one another. The event’s growth earned them a slot at the 2022 Afrochella Festival, allowing their DJ’s to play at the concert; they also featured for Jameson’s Independence Day party.
The anniversary was proof the sound system was steering towards the right direction. After six editions with two spin-offs, the culture was becoming widely accepted by everyone, and the itinerary for 007 was productive. By 11 am, creatives from all departments were seated at the vibrating space inside the skatepark for a masterclass powered by Tunecore, with a talk session from Panelists Jade, Juls, Kwaps and Terah.
There was also an IMSS open deck led by ADDJ and BaabaDJ, where they taught beginners the basics of Disc Jockeying. Producers were also allowed to interact with the Maschine MK3 and KOMPLETE Kontrol M32 in partnership with Native Instruments.
IMSS energy kick-started with sets from Imanii, BaabaDJ, and sound expansion before joint sets from Anansi and Anna took over, with another joint set from Edwvn and Emily In Accra, TMSKDJ & Temple, Afrolektra’s energetic set and a legendary throwback from JULS, ending the night with ADDJ’s unique dance music.
Overall it was a good experience. So many people had no idea the house scene was this booming in Ghana. Newcomers realised there are those of us who live by the grungy house shows and back alley DJ sets.
Sound System is not just a “show” now. It is way past that. It now captivates underground dance culture that spans the entire spectrum of dance music, not limiting itself by industry standards or expectations, with a crowd that reeks of a safe space to let loose and genuinely enjoy great, diverse music.No matter how different we can be, the ideology of sound system is the common thread that binds us all together, good music and a diverse community.
