A SHORT HISTORY...
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Jah Warrior Shelter High Fidelty is an
award winning sound system based in
California’s Bay Area.
Selector Jahson Reuben, alongside MCs E-
Dom, Quality and Monty Irie, originally ran
the sound out of Free Port Long Island, NY
in 1987. In the summer of 1988, Rocker T,
hailing from Brooklyn NY, linked with the
crew and became the official Singjay for Jah
Warrior Shelter. Over the next 4 years
Rocker T continued to build JWS, adding
DJs and MCs including Puppy Ranks, Major
1, Jamalski, GT English, Lenky Don, Ronnie
Dread and Smoki. With regular resident
dances in Manhattan, NY including The
Wetlands, Lonestar Café, S.O.B.’s, Tramps
and The Z-Bar, JWS was a fixture on NY’s
reggae scene. In 1992, Jahson Reuben
officially handed the sound to Rocker T.
Teaming up with Daddy B and International
Hi Power, JWS ran the legendary Lions Den
in Manhattan from 1994-1996. In 1996, after
linking with Monty Joe (Culture Yard), Jah
Warrior Shelter had its first clash at Culture
Yard in Spanish Harlem. Held at a
Twelve Tribes of Israel Dance with Freddie
McGregor and Jah Faith, JWS played the
few dubs that they had and gained a
reputation as the “likkle big sound”.
Rocker T moved to California in 1997,
toured the West Coast, released several
albums and established himself as a top
selector in the area. After being introduced
by Jamalski to selector Jah Yzer, Rocker T
began MCing for Jah Yzer across The Bay
Area.
In 1998 Rocker T invited Jah Yzer to join
him for studio production work in NY.
Bringing along DJ I-Vier, Jah Yzer headed
East. After running a few dances in
Manhattan over the course of that summer
(Spoon, Coney Island High), Rocker T
added the two rising DJs to Jah Warrior
Shelter. All three returned to the Bay Area
and in 1999 DJ Irie Dole joined the crew.
Throughout the 2000’s Jah Warrior Shelter
has established itself as one of California’s
leading sounds, winning 9 Sound Clash
titles:
- The 4th Annual LA Rumble (2008)
listen to audio HERE
listen to audio HERE
- The Unity Clash Part 2 in Berkeley
(2004).
- The Unity Clash in Berkley (2003)
- The Bay Area 45 Clash in Oakland
(2002)
- The Settlement Clash in Oakland (2002)
- The EIWR Clash in San Francisco
(2001)
- The Official VP Records KMEL Sound
Clash in San Francisco (1998)
Each selector in the crew has his unique
style, earning well deserved recognition,
not only as a clash sound, but a top
juggling sound as well. In The Bay Area, you
can always find a Jah Warrior Shelter Hi Fi
dance to go to and have a good time, either
with individual selectors or together as one
sound. Check out the Events Calendar
HERE.
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