After a near 10 year hiatus Red Bull's Culture Clash made its long awaited return to Drumsheds and Sludge Mag had the pleasure of attending alongside 10'000 music lovers. The rules of the clash were simple. Four crews: Voice of the Streets, Native, Homegrown and Spice Army representing four beloved sounds: UK Rap,  Electronic, Afrobeats and Caribbean sounds respectively. Across 4 rounds each crew would amass points based on crowd response which was measured by decibels. Spice's Army's dancehall and bashment heavy offering complete with exclusive dubplates from Dexta Daps, Sting, Vybz Kartel and surprise performances from Chip, D Double E, Mavado, Skillibeng, Shaggy and more ultimately secured gold. Which this year is not a metaphor because the winning crews were treated to custom designed championship rings from A Jewellers. Despite the tongue in cheek disses (and not so subtle invitation from Spice Army's mic man to Kenny Allstar to suck his mudda) one of the most striking reflections of the clash was the fluidity of Black music. Its impossible to hear any genre in the modern era and not feel the influences of other Black music across the diaspora. Grime flows peppered with Jamaican slang and pidgin, rap beats underpinned by West African drums. Different paths across the Atlantic throughout centuries, have brought us back together as a people to share the fruits of our collective histories. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of.

@sludgemag We asked #redbullcultureclash goers @Audrey✨✨ and @jada.kai_ldn ♬ original sound - Sludge Mag