ICON SOUND SPEAKS CANDIDLY TO WEST INDIAN TIMES

By Lady Cham

Published: Wednesday, March 3, 2004

During the month of February, Fada Con of the ICON Sound System family in Virginia spoke to West Indian Times on it’s internet radio station Vibes 24/7. Fada Con spoke candidly to West Indian Times about why he built a sound system in Virginia. The interview has become very controversial, with a few sounds feeling disrespected by what Fada Con had to say.

Why Build A Sound System In Virginia?

When asked why he decided to begin a sound system Fada Con explained that he frequently patronized different dances around town but he said that the ‘sound systems’ were horrible, they were so bad that the music could not be felt, in fact his words were "they were straight garbage." He went on to explain that as a sound man regardless of where you are playing, you know that you are delivering the music and sponsoring the event so you should have a system powerful enough and sweet enough for the people to move to it. If a sound is not delivering the music properly then it kills the night. He explained that he always supported reggae shows and clubs not because the sound was up to par but because of his love of reggae music. However, he realized that there were no standards set in the reggae arena and he could step in and raise the bar.

 

Executing The Building of a Sound

According to Fada Con, ICON was drafted for a couple of months and there was well calculated planning before it was executed. All the preparations were made on paper, and there was research of made on the equipment necessary to put a complete package together. ICON Sound is about a ‘Movement’ which is gearing towards a franchise, Fada Con intends for ICON to play at as many venues as possible without losing the quality. Currently there are 4 DJ’s working for ICON Sound: Desi Blanco, Dutch B, Prentice & Ramone.

Clashing in Virgnia

When asked if he would enter the clashing arena in Virginia, Fada Con said "clash business ah Virginia ah foolishness, madness! I’ve yet to witness a clash in Virginia where the people enjoyed it. The people of Virginia are lost, you have to assess and realize the people that you are playing for when you play, a New York crowd is going to be more up to the time, up with the new releases, they understand the culture better so they can understand the hardcore clashing better but when you bring that to Virginia they are lost because the greater population down here are adapting to reggae music. We as pioneers should bring it over in a manner that they can enjoy it."

When asked why ICON does not teach the people how to throw a real clash Fada Con stated, "ICON is equipped to clash but on the advice of sound minds around who say don’t clash this machine in Virginia because we will be stooping to a level, we will not clash in Virginia. It is just not in best interest of the Sound.

Advice from ICON for Sound Men In Virginia

There will be people out there who will fight what you try to do when you have a positive plan but stand strong and know what you are doing and go through it step by step. Stick with the plan and it will unfold in a positive sense.

Fada Con says that ICON has forced the sounds in Virginia to step up their game and improve their systems so that the music can be delivered with more clarity and more vibes. He advises the sounds to take the profits they have made from the reggae fans and invest in building up their systems so that the music can be delivered the right way.