Dende Sound UK
Since 2013 Dende Sound has been active running sound system events around Brighton, Sussex and further afield across the UK.
We are a dedicated Roots Reggae and Dub-wise sound system deeply inspired by the foundations of UK Sound System culture. We love the heavy bass lines, conscious lyrics and swirling sirens, effects and delays and work alongside live musicians and MCs, bringing a dynamic live experience to the mix.
Meet the Crew
At the core of Dende Sound in the UK are Bambaman, and Edi Yoyo. They have built up the sound over the years and work closely together with musicians and Mcs including Ali Jane on melodica and regularly with Mc Trooper on mic duties.
We also collaborate closely with many other sound crews from the local area and are eternally grateful to all those who support us carrying boxes, being guest selectors and Mcs, driving vans and promoting our events... you know who you are, Thankyou.
Our story
Dende Sound System was born on the Phoenix Industrial estate in Lewes back in 2012 at a time when the warehouses were all ocupied by artists, musicians, makers and activists. There were art galleries, workshop spaces, event venues, recording studios, a theatre and skate parks for the youth. It felt like we were creating our own world and anything was possible. It was an exciting time!
This video made but Gani Naylor documents the very first time that the sound was stacked up in our carpentry warehouse and the image of this 3 way rig was the inspiration for our Logo designed by Carl Yuri.
When we began putting on events in 2013 there weren't actually any other Brighton based reggae sound systems active on the scene but since then we have witnessed a resurgence in sound system culture with many local crews putting on fantastic events. Respect goes out to all the Brighton Sound crews including the Original King Tafari Love `Muzik, Roots Garden, Heavy Tone Hifi, Jah Kingdom, Sensi Sound, Platinum International Steppas, Crafted Sound and Kings Hifi as well as all the selectors and promoters making things happen.
The article below came out in a local magazine and tells the story of the first 10 years of Dende Sound System. We have had the honour to work along side some of UKs top reggae sounds and look forward to many more years of collaborations and good vibes to come.
We are proud to say that we have built most of the speakers ourselves and love this aspect of sound system culture. These are not things that you can go buy in a shop but are unique one-off creations that have their own characters and carry their own story.
Events
Our first 'MORE FYAH!!' events were held in a basement beneath Al Duomo Italian restaurant in Brighton and even from those early days we always invited guest selectors to come play on the sound. The problem was that each night the bass lines would cause glasses to shake themselves off the shelves in the restaurant upstairs and end up smashed all over the floor.
After many events at different venues including warehouse parties, Brighton Electric studios and in the forests, we later took up a residency at the Komedia where we hosted BRIGHTON DUB CLUB for a number of years alongside some amazing guests including the late greats Jah Youth and Massai Warrior Sounds. We were also blessed by the presence of Roots Youths, Brother Culture, Ramon Judah, Shere Khan, Nomadix, Jonah Dan, Kiki Slaughter, Nga Han, Rebel Lion Sound system and many others bringing their good vibes.
Dende Sound continues to put on regular events around Brighton and Sussex in warehouses, bars, venues, forests, local breweries and festivals. We love bringing the vibes to unusual spaces and working together in unity with other sounds.
Big Up to Bambaman
Bambaman runs tings now!
I just want to take a moment to celebrate this wonderful man. Since Ed has based himself in The Gambia Bambaman holds it down for Dende Sound in the UK. He has worked tirelessly to develop the sound system in so many ways. He is always upgrading the equipment with new pre-amps, amps, effects etc and building new speaker boxes not to mention making his own dub sirens, delay units and even a pre-amp.
Bambaman is also a talented musician and producer building the riddims released on the Dende Sound record label and sometimes gracing us with live melodica and vocals at our shows.
A family man of great integrity and strictly positive vibes!!!!
