One man from Japan is providing ruff and tuff dubplates for the scene for years without fears… his name is MIGHTY MASSA.
While performing as an original member of the Ska Flames, Mighty Massa started Japan’s first UK roots-style sound system, “Mighty Massa Sound System”, in 1994, followed by first releases under the same name in 1995. His catalogue has steadily been growing ever since, with a number of albums and singles on labels such as his own Dub Creation, Tribe Works, Black Redemption, Pirka Atuy, Jah Marshall Music and others – each one instantly recognizable by his signature sound.
In the early days the name Mighty Massa was associated with tuff and mystical dubplates, often hard to find, only to be heard in sessions by the likes of Jah Shaka, Aba Shanti I or Iration Steppas or on recordings of those and little was known about their origins and producer. The first part is still the same, the latter has luckily changed a bit over the years – after a good amount of well-received releases and due to the rise of the internet. Having influenced many young producers and activists, it is for a reason that he is respected and hailed as the father of Japanese dub and sound system culture and his music is remaining in heavy circulation among the dubplate affinados worldwide, as well as in the selections of the top sounds.
Dub Creation Studio – Itak Tojo, Mighty Massa, Ras Kush
To find out more about Mighty Massa’s works, check the following interview
-> Mighty Massa interview
One of the rare video appearances in the Japanese documentary ‘Melodious Riddim’