Supa Twitch: Passion, discipline key to enduring dancehall career

Veteran dancehall selector Supa Twitch credits his enduring career, spanning nearly four decades, to a deep-seated passion for music, unwavering discipline, and profound respect for sound system culture. Fresh off a memorable performance at the recent Joyride event, Supa Twitch reflected on the powerful connection between music and audience.

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Joyride was special. The crowd came to feel the music, not just hear it. You could feel the nostalgia in the air, with people singing every lyric from my 90s set like it dropped yesterday. When I touched the stage the energy was electric. It was pure love, which is the magic of a real dancehall crowd.

"Joyride was special. The crowd came to feel the music, not just hear it," he shared. "You could feel the nostalgia in the air, with people singing every lyric from my 90s set like it dropped yesterday. When I touched the stage the energy was electric. It was pure love, which is the magic of a real dancehall crowd."

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, and raised in east Kingston, Jamaica, Supa Twitch's journey began at age 10 when he would sneak out to listen to sound systems. His professional career launched in 1988 with the Supersonic sound system, followed by Black Stone the next year. He was inspired by legendary selectors Rory of Stone Love and Webba of Black Stone, quickly learning that selecting music was about more than just playing records.

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A selector doesn’t just play tunes; a selector moves people. I wanted to move people.

"A selector doesn’t just play tunes; a selector moves people. I wanted to move people," Supa Twitch told the Jamaica Observer. After relocating to New York, he joined Afrique Soundstation, where he honed his skills alongside respected figures. "That was school for me. They taught me versatility and showed me how to take dancehall global without losing my roots," he said.

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That was school for me. They taught me versatility and showed me how to take dancehall global without losing my roots.

Reflecting on the evolution of dancehall, Supa Twitch noted that while digital platforms offer unprecedented global reach today, something valuable has been lost. "The talent is definitely there today, but the golden era had more artiste development and stronger connections between artists and sound systems. Back then, a tune had to pass the dance test before it hit radio. Now a song can trend and disappear in two weeks," he observed. Events like Joyride, he believes, are crucial for preserving Jamaica's rich sound system heritage, serving as both an archive and an amplifier for new and old generations alike.

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The talent is definitely there today, but the golden era had more artiste development and stronger connections between artists and sound systems. Back then, a tune had to pass the dance test before it hit radio. Now a song can trend and disappear in two weeks.