Personal stories sharing our unique journeys in the sound system culture.
Waldo "Wally" Williams
Mighty Action Sound, owner
Founder of the DMV Sound System Association and President
Waldo “Wally” Williams is a master soundman, system builder, and cultural steward with over 30 years of dedication to the global sound system movement. Born and raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Wally began his journey as a teenager—not just playing music, but studying the engineering, wiring, and soul of sound systems.
He started with the legendary Black Arrows (Spanish Town) and Phrequency Sound (Portmore/August Town), then built his first system, City Star, a beloved staple for community events back home.
After migrating to Washington, DC in 1994, Wally created Action International from scratch—his second full sound system. He DJed across the DMV, collaborated with Acid Sound, and played a key role in supporting Earthquake Sound during a pivotal transition.
Eventually stepping back to focus on family, Wally shipped his system back to Jamaica where Mighty Action rose to prominence in the housing schemes of Spanish Town. When distance made it hard to manage the crew, he placed the system in storage—but after rebuilding his life post-divorce, Wally returned to the scene stronger than ever.
Today, Wally runs two fully operational Mighty Action Sound Systems—one in Jamaica, one in the U.S.—both hand-built and powered by legacy. As the sole promoter of Mighty Action events, he is known for high-quality sound, cultural pride, and technical excellence.
Through the DMV Sound System Association (DSA), Wally is focused on legacy, mentorship, and community upliftment. Whether he's building systems for others, advising new soundmen, or leading events, Wally is committed to keeping sound system culture alive—with integrity, power, and pride.

Clive aka Fada Clive, owner (Baltimore, MD)
DMV Sound System Association, Senior Board Member
Hollywood International Sound System was founded by the late, great Alton Taylor, affectionately known as Count and Niah. Its earliest roots reach back to 1958 in Brainerd, St. Mary, Jamaica, though the official foundation is most often marked as 1962, shortly after Alton returned to his birthplace in Lucky Valley, St. Catherine.
During the late 1950s through the mid-1960s, Alton studied electronics through a correspondence course called Hollywood Electronics, where he mastered the craft of building powerful tube amplifiers using components such as KT88s and mercury vapor tubes. With this expertise, he built a sound system that quickly rose to prominence. Inspired by the glamour of Hollywood, California, he named it Hollywood Sound System. From its inception, Hollywood played across Jamaica and soon became recognized as one of the island’s leading sounds.
In the early 1980s, fresh energy came to the sound when Alton’s young son Andrew (Andrew Fresh Kid) took the stage at just nine years old. Performing alongside his brother Dave, Andrew became a main attraction until his migration to London in the early 1990s. Leadership then transitioned to Alrick, supported by brothers Heinrich (Billy), Alston (Bigga), Patrick (Pat-D.), and Clive (Fada Clive).
The 2000s marked a new era as Hollywood expanded globally with branches in Brooklyn, New York (led by Alston), London, England (led by Dave), and Baltimore, Maryland (led by Clive). Though Alston later retired the Brooklyn branch, he returned to Jamaica to support the next generation alongside Alrick, Patrick, and Daddy Biggs.
In Baltimore, Maryland, Dexton (Super D) is one of the main DJs of Hollywood Sound System, bringing energy and skill that keep the sound’s legacy alive in the DMV. Timmy (Blu Steel Sound), also based in Baltimore, has played a major and integral role as the engineer of Hollywood International Sound System of Baltimore and was instrumental in the 2024 relaunch of Hollywood Sound System in Jamaica.
The 62nd anniversary celebration in 2024 marked a proud revival of Hollywood’s roots. Though the family honors the memory of Alton (2010) and Heinrich (2021), their legacy continues to guide the sound’s evolution. Today, Hollywood International Sound System stands as a timeless symbol of Jamaican sound culture — built on innovation, family, and tradition.
As a proud member of the DMV Sound System Association, Hollywood International Sound System family remains committed to delivering exceptional sound, preserving cultural legacy, and inspiring the next generation of sound system stewards.

Eric & Genea, owners
DMV Sound System Association, Board Member
GenEric Sound is a family-rooted sound system founded by Eric and Genea—a husband-and-wife team blending Jamaican heritage, Caribbean energy, and DMV flavor. The name “GenEric” is more than a clever play—it’s a powerful union of their first names, symbolizing their partnership in life and in music.
Born in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, Eric brings deep knowledge of traditional sound system culture, while Genea, a Washington, D.C. native, adds a visionary touch rooted in the city’s vibrant Caribbean diaspora.
Together, they’ve built GenEric Sound as more than a sound system—it’s a living legacy. Their children are central to the operation, learning the craft from the ground up—selecting tracks, setting up gear, and understanding the culture. Hands-on in every aspect, their children ensure that music and culture are passed down with intention and love.
While rooted in reggae and dancehall, GenEric Sound is also known for powering Soca sets across the Maryland, Washington, D.C and Delaware Caribbean carnival circuit. From fetes to parade routes, we provide the full sound system experience that keeps the energy high and the masqueraders moving.
At the heart of the GenEric Sound experience is a dedicated crew that brings the vibes to life, including DJ Diver D, known for his smooth blends and dancehall precision, and DJ Willy, whose selections bridge generations and keep the energy high. Each team member brings their own flavor, united by a love for culture, community, and quality sound.
As a proud member of the DMV Sound System Association, the GenEric Sound family remains committed to delivering exceptional sound, preserving cultural legacy, and inspiring the next generation of sound system stewards.

Danny Paul, owner
Black Warrior Sound is the creation and passion of Danny Paul, also known as Danny Barber-Percy. A lifelong lover of audio and sound engineering, Danny has been part of the sound system scene since his boyhood days—long before joining the DMV Sound System Association (DSA).
Built entirely by Danny’s own hands, Black Warrior Sound stands as a true reflection of craftsmanship and dedication. From wiring and amplifiers to the full setup front and back, Danny designs and builds every element of his sound. “Nobody touches it—I build the whole sound from scratch,” he says proudly.
A skilled electrician with an ear for sound quality, Danny takes pride in his technical precision and commitment to keeping his sound system performing at its best. With support from close friend Wally of Mighty Action Sound, who built the rack and top-end speaker boxes, Danny continues to upgrade and refine the system—ensuring that Black Warrior remains powerful, clean, and reliable.
Joining the DSA was a natural step for Danny—an opportunity to share his work, connect with like-minded sound professionals, and stay at the top of his game. “DSA keeps you sharp,” he says. “If you want to be among the best, this is the group to be in.”
Black Warrior Sound represents years of hard work, love for the craft, and deep respect for the sound system tradition. As Danny continues to build and innovate, one thing remains clear: the warrior spirit of sound lives strong in every frequency.
As a proud member of the DMV Sound System Association, Black Warrior Sound family remains committed to delivering exceptional sound, preserving cultural legacy, and inspiring the next generation of sound system stewards.

Garfield & Alisha, owners
Garfield began his musical journey in Jamaica, inspired by watching his father DJ and select music. At just 10 years old, he started playing on sound systems powered by tube amplifiers, quickly developing the skill of mixing DJs and singers live.
As a teenager, Garfield’s passion for music and sound grew deeper. Known for making rhythmic beatbox sounds with his mouth, he earned the nickname “izzit.” His talent led him to become the main mixer in sound clashes, where he was paid for his expertise.
In the early 2000s, Garfield built his own sound system, which became popular in Montego Bay, Jamaica, playing at numerous dancehall parties. Over the years, he mixed for prominent artists including Vybz Kartel, Mavado, and other notable performers.
Garfield later moved to the United States, where he served in the U.S. military and pursued higher education—earning a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and a master’s degree in Computer Science and Information Systems.
In 2015, he built a new sound system under the name izzit musik, which grew from just two speakers to a full two-column setup. Together with his wife, Alisha, they founded izzit musik LLC, a business that provides entertainment for funerals, birthday parties, baby showers, graduations, retirement parties, backyard and basement events, to include; sound system consultations and engineering.
As a proud member of the DMV Sound System Association, izzit musik family remains committed to delivering unique remixes, exceptional sound, preserving cultural legacy, and inspiring the next generation of sound system stewards.

DJ Pepper, Owner
The story of Supermatic Sound is one that starts from the ground up — Caribbean-style. No sponsors, no blueprint — just two brothers, some old parts, and a big love for music.
Back in Jamaica, DJ Pepper and his late brother Uken started what would become Supermatic with nothing but heart and hustle. Their first sound system, a yellow box with a 10-inch speaker, was called Little Gemini. Their father had a serious sound, but it was off-limits — so the brothers built their own. Uken, gifted with natural engineering skill, started fixing things from a young age — no school, just straight talent. Pepper handled the speaker restorations and the two kept building, box by box, tune by tune.
As the sound grew, so did the name. Little Gemini became Blackstar, then Little Matic, and finally, after plenty of nights stringing up and reasoning over walkie-talkies, they landed on the name that stuck: Supermatic — a name born from their CB radio call signs: Magic Man (Pepper) and Gemini (Uken). That name came after Hurricane Allen, and it marked the rise of something real.
Pepper wasn’t even supposed to be the DJ. He was the speaker man, the box-builder, the one who’d sit by the sound and feel proud to hear his work thunder through the streets. But one Friday night, when the main man walked off the set, Pepper stepped up and never looked back. That’s when Pickle Pepper was born — a name shouted in early dubplates back home. When he moved to the U.S. and started playing clubs like Settings Nightclub, the name got shortened to DJ Pepper, and it stuck.
Since then, DJ Pepper has not only built his own sound, but become a trusted engineer in the DMV. From Generic Sound to Sonic 71 to Love Unlimited, his touch can be felt in systems across the region. Still, Pepper keeps it humble — two or three sounds max — because quality matters more than quantity. He builds like he DJs: with precision, patience, and pure passion.
And while Uken may no longer be here physically, his legacy lives on in every amp, every wire, every bassline that drops through a Supermatic speaker.
As a proud member of the DMV Sound System Association, DJ Pepper and Supermatic Sound family remain committed to delivering exceptional sound, preserving cultural legacy, and inspiring the next generation of sound system stewards.

Lascelles, Owner
Lascelles, also known as W07, is the visionary behind Toxic Vibes Sound LLC—a premier sound system rooted in tradition, innovation, and cultural pride. Born and raised in East Portland, Jamaica, Lascelles was shaped by classic area sound systems like Tarrus, Concord, Heartbeat, Heatwave, and Hotta Flex, igniting his lifelong passion for music.
After migrating to Brooklyn, New York, he attended George Wingate High School alongside the late reggae artist Sluggy Ranks (RIP). He later joined the U.S. Navy, a path of service that brought him to the DMV in the early 1990s—a region he proudly calls home.
A U.S. Navy veteran and devoted father, Lascelles instills the values of education and self-empowerment in his children, always encouraging them to embrace opportunity and honor their roots.
His devotion to sound system culture runs deep. With a personal archive of 300–400 original cassette tapes, Lascelles has preserved a vital slice of musical history. His career as a licensed electrician evolved naturally into sound engineering, leading to key roles in Tidewater, VA’s club scene—installing, maintaining, and operating high-performance sound systems.
Lascelles’ sound journey began with Love People Sound. A two-decade collaboration with Father General laid the foundation for Toxic Vibes Sound. Known for their intensity and reliability during the “Turntable Days,” Toxic Vibes became legendary for its use of Crown Macro-Tech amps and powerful, authentic sound.
The name “Toxic Vibes” reflects a fierce, balanced, and high-quality musical experience. Under Lascelles’ leadership, the sound quickly gained recognition across Tidewater and the DMV, known for its crystal clarity and bulletproof equipment.
Today, Toxic Vibes is powered by a dynamic crew: Selector DJ Sniper (formerly of NITE Traxx Mobile Sound System, Jamaica), Big Juice, and Mark—each bringing deep knowledge and commitment to the sound system tradition.
As a proud member of the DMV Sound System Association, Lascelles and Toxic Vibes family remain dedicated to delivering exceptional sound, preserving cultural legacy, and inspiring the next generation of sound system stewards.

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