New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The world's biggest music battle made its debut in Atlanta on Friday, August 25. Inspired by Jamaican sound clashes, the Atlanta installment took place at 787 Windsor and featured four of the top crews from around the globe - Atlanta's own Mike WiLL Made-It leading his EarDrummers crew, Canada's Enjoylife led by WondaGurl, the UK's Disturbing London led by Tinie Tempah, and Jamaica's Unruly - which was led in spirit by Popcaan though he was unable to be at the event.
The crews pulled out all the stops - from EarDrummers bringing out Pusha-T, Ludacris, Crime Mob, Fabo and Sah Babii, to Disturbing London's "Shape of You" dubplate and special guests including Charlie Sloth,
Pastor Troy and Atlantian TI crossing enemy lines and repping for the UK crew via video, to Enjoylife bringing out Rich Kidd and dropping some
Drake to Unruly's mic drop: bringing out Atlanta music royalty Jermaine Dupri—the night was filled with unforgettable surprises. After four rounds of intense competition, Unruly edged out hometown favorites EarDrummers to win the crowd's support and proved victorious.
Red Bull Culture
Clash Atlanta 2017 was streamed live exclusively on Red Bull Radio. Photos for editorial use from can be found via the Red Bull Content Pool here: https://www.redbullcontentpool.com/international/AP-1SZFBVHQW1W11.
ROUND 1: TEMPERATURE'S RISING
The crew DJs kicked off the night, warming up the crowd and establishing who they are. EarDrummers went first with a Lil Jon dub and brought out Atlanta Braves jersey-wearing superstars Rae Sremmurd. Unruly followed with a crowd sing-a-long before WondaGurl came out and dropped Future's "Wicked." Disturbing London closed out the round with Charlie Sloth smack-talking and a fierce "Shape of You" dub. The winner of round 1 is… No one! (Round one is a freebie and not worth any points.)
ROUND 2: THE SELECTOR
Unruly kicked off
Round 2, where DJs spin everything they got and the winner is selected by song choices and smack talk. The Jamaicans had everything from phones, flags and extinguishers out for them this round. Enjoylife busted out a track from the king of Toronto and WondaGurl collaborator
Drake before Disturbing London played a video from TI rooting them on, showing EarDrummers that Atlanta's finest are willing to rep for their favorite crews and not necessarily their hometown ones. Not to worry though: EarDrummers quickly bounced back, bringing out Pusha T, OJ Da Juiceman and more and claiming
Round 2 victory! (1 Point: EarDrummers)
ROUND 3: SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY
The third round shook things up and saw each crew assigned another crew's style and the winner needs to beat them at their own game. Enjoylife kicked off the round, playing some of Jamaica's finest: Barrington Levy and Beenie Man. Disturbing London quickly followed by bringing out
Sonny Digital, one of Atlanta's brightest young hip-hop producers. Another Atlantian crossing lines for other crews… ouch! Mike WiLL couldn't be deterred and sent a very clear message to the crews with guest
Ludacris and his 2001 megahit "Move B*tch." How could Unruly beat that? Two words: Jermaine Dupri. With this Atlanta music icon on Team Unruly, they came back from behind to take
Round 3. (1 Point: Unruly)
ROUND 4: THE DECIDER
The final round gave each crew a chance to play their biggest hits and call in all of their favors. Disturbing London kicked off the round with coffins and the Ying Yang Twins. Next up, Unruly's arsenal ran deep with a
Gorillaz video appearance and dubs galore, including Young MA and "
Wild Thoughts" dub. Enjoylife brought out one more of Toronto's best, Rich Kidd, and Mike WiLL and EarDrummers closed out the night with dollar bills flying and
Junior Reid on the mic.
After the crowd's cheers were tallied, the winner of
Round 4 and Red Bull Culture
Clash Atlanta was Unruly (4 points total), making their home country proud as they victoriously carried on the Jamaican sound clash tradition.
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