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Let's Build India's First Reggae Sound System

Help us build the first mobile reggae sound system in India #LetsBuildaSoundSystem

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Let's Build India's First Reggae Sound System

Let's Build India's First Reggae Sound System

Let's Build India's First Reggae Sound System

Let's Build India's First Reggae Sound System

Let's Build India's First Reggae Sound System

Help us build the first mobile reggae sound system in India #LetsBuildaSoundSystem

Help us build the first mobile reggae sound system in India #LetsBuildaSoundSystem

Help us build the first mobile reggae sound system in India #LetsBuildaSoundSystem

Help us build the first mobile reggae sound system in India #LetsBuildaSoundSystem

Delhi Sultanate
Delhi Sultanate
Delhi Sultanate
Delhi Sultanate
1 Campaign |
New Delhi, India
$19,518 USD 190 backers
119% of $16,300 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Understanding that music should not just be heard, but physically felt — that's why you never forget your first reggae sound system experience. Taru Dalmia (AKA Delhi Sultanate) aims to bring this unique phenomenon to various cities and villages in India with a mobile, Jamaican-style sound system consisting of powerful, hand-built speaker stacks with an emphasis on the bass.

“A system has to allow you to feel the music. It should embrace you, engulf you, make you feel warm.”
—Ras Kayleb, Channel One, UK

So what exactly is a Sound System?

A worldwide phenomenon today, the sound system concept traces its roots back to the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, in the 1950’s, when DJs would load up a truck with a generator, turntables, and huge speakers and set up street parties for the community. They’d often be playing music that would not be played on the radio, and sound system culture quickly became an integral part of Reggae music.

“Back in the day in Jamaica, poor people didn’t have a TV or a radio, so the sound systems brought the news to the district,” Ras Kayleb from Channel One explained in a recent interview. “It was the same for our communities in the UK; in the ‘70s, we never knew what was going on in Jamaica.”

It became a means to relay news, understand the hardships and suffering of those in Jamaica and to learn about Rastafari. As he aptly put it, “The music is a great teacher.”

Sound systems also enabled the music to be played outside of clubs and commercial venues — in parks, community centres and wedding halls — going on to become an important part of community life. 

Why India Needs A Reggae Sound System

Roots or Rasta sessions can be uplifting, almost spiritual, experiences, that are not meant to take place in clubs only; we need sound systems in India in order to represent this wonderful culture in the right way. Delhi Sultanate has been working hard to establish a Jamaica-India connection, and to create awareness and appreciation for Reggae music in the country. He explains. “I feel that independent music culture has suffered not from a dearth of talent in the country, but mainly two things —the scarcity of venues where non-commercial music is played, and secondly, the dependence on sponsors.”

While music has the ability to bring people of different backgrounds together, the fact remains that India is a very socially segregated country; and not everyone can afford to frequent exclusive venues like clubs.

Several communities or student organisations would be very keen to host music events, but haven’t always been able to shoulder the high production cost involved in putting together such events.  

Having a sound system could really change this and make it much more inclusive.

Where We Are Currently At

The scoops and kick bass speakers have been built at personal cost, with Delhi Sultanate investing INR 5 lac (US$ 7500) from his end. While the sound speakers are built and painted by hand, for amps and pre-amps, the idea is to source only the best components.

The Breakdown: How You Can Join The Journey

We need the equipment to be able to withstand rugged touring, and also re-produce the sound optimally, to make sure we give people the real, amazing experience of a Jamaican sound system. The down payment has been made for a top-of-the-line preamp, and we have zeroed in on what it is exactly that we need.

We’ve chosen to go with Labgruppen for amplifiers, for their reliability and excellence in sound. Here’s what your contribution will be going toward on top priority:

  • LabGruppen FP14000 : INR 3.6 lac (+ taxes) / US$ 5500
  • Labgruppen FP10000Q: INR 3.7 lac (+taxes) / US$ 5600
  • LabGruppen C10:4x : INR 1.3 lac (+taxes) / US$ 2000
  • Jo Red (Switzerland) Standard Pre Amp: INR 1.6 lac / US $ 2400

Any additional funds will be put towards a car (A FORCE delivery Van 7.7 L — US$11000) to store (as well as hit the road) with the sound system, as well as other requirements like speaker paint and cables.

Over to you, massive.

Thank you for taking an interest in our campaign. We hope you’ll be able to support our sound system venture by contributing to this exciting opportunity, and also by spreading the word online. Don’t forget to check out the special perks we’ve got in store for our backers!





The Team Behind The Sound System

Taru Dalmia (AKA Delhi Sultanate) is the lead singer of India's first ska, reggae and rocksteady band The Ska Vengers. He is also the founder of the not-for-profit organization Word Sound Power, that creates films and musical collaborations around issues of social justice in India.

Samara Chopra (AKA Begum X) is the lead singer of award winning band The Ska Vengers and performs solo as Begum X. She is also a trained Yoga therapist. All graphics for the #LetsBuildaSoundSystem campaign have been designed by Begum X.  

Sohail Arora (AKA bass music DJ EZ Riser) is the founder of alternative booking agency KRUNK, and India's only festival dedicated to bass-heavy genres Bass Camp Festival

Rahul Mangal is the artist manager for King Jassim, Sahaj and Bass Foundation Roots (Delhi Sultanate and Begum X). With his roots in Monkey Radio India and Bass Sanskriti, Hyderabad, he is the co-promoter for Sound System en Masse, India's 1st and only community Reggae festival along with Dakta Dub. He also handles India tours of international artists ( Nuphlo, Diana king).
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Choose your Perk

featured

Your Name on the Speakers

$20 USD
Receive a Live and digital dedication and have your name inscribed on the back of the scoops / sub bass speakers
36 claimed

Campaign Reggae Mix

$1 USD
Every Contributor will receive a download link to a special #strictlyvinyl Reggae mix prepared by Delhi Sultanate exclusively for this campaign. On this mix there will be many exclusive tunes and dubplates that you will not hear anywhere else. The mixes will change throughout the campaign and we have some excellent DJ's contributing mixes so you can keep checking back and contribute more than once
6 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Earl Gateshead Exclusive Mix

$1 USD
Earl Gateshead of Trojan Sound System prepared an exclusive mix for this campaign. Contribute any amount and receive a download link promptly. Earl Gateshead is a legendary London selector who plays on Trojan Sound System, the official sound of Trojan Records. Since it's creation in 1968, Trojan Records has led the way in presenting the very best in Jamaican sounds from Bob Marley to Dennis Brown and Toots and the Maytals.
2 claimed

Live & Digital Shout out

$10 USD
Receive a shout out and dedication on my weekly radio show on dubforceradio, our next live gig as well as our Facebook and twitter.
4 claimed

T shirt Gift package

$25 USD
Get a New Delhi Jungliest T shirt + Sticker Package. Earl birds will have a more colour choice.
24 out of 100 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Yellow on Black Lionpaw Hoodie

$30 USD
New Hoodies with the BFR Sound System Lion logo taken from Aurobindo Kundu's children's book 'Their World'
10 out of 25 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Yellow on Black Lionpaw Hoodie

$30 USD
New Hoodies with the BFR Sound System Lion logo taken from Aurobindo Kundu's children's book 'Their World'
4 out of 25 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

USB with 60 + hours of Music

$50 USD
Receive a USB with the entire Truths & Rights show. 60 + hours of music + entire Delhi Sultanate catalogue (includes Word Sound Power, The Ska Vengers). Many of the shows on this USB will not never be available online. Along with this we will send you a sticker package and DL link for the campaign mix.
6 out of 50 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Dubplate Special

$75 USD
Receive a Dubplate by either Delhi Sultanate or Begum X. We have a very special price for people who contribute to the campaign. We will do our best do get the dubplates to you within 10 days of your contribution
1 claimed

2 Dubplate special

$100 USD
2 tunes for 100 US by either Delhi Sultanate or Begum X. One tune can be a combination
10 claimed

Vinyl mixed by Scientist

$150 USD
Delhi Sultanate & Begum X - Sun is Shining - recorded in Kabul Afghanistan in 2014. Mixed and dubbed by the legendary dub pioneer Scientist. You will receive a hand stamped and numbered limited edition vinyl. 6 months prior to official release. Plus
2 out of 100 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

10 Dubplate Special

$500 USD
10 Dubplates by Delhi Sultanate or Begum X. Combinations count as two tunes.
1 claimed
sold out

Hoodie gift package

$30 USD
20 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
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