HEAVY HAMMER BIO
Internationally known for the depth of their dubplate box and their innovative approach to reggae soundclashes and dancehall shows, the Italian dubplate masters known as Heavy Hammer Sound are a team of DJs and MCs who travel the globe playing reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop music.
Founded in 1999 in a small town near Lecce, in the hot southern Italian region of Salento – often referred to as “the Italian Jamaica” – Heavy Hammer began with four friends united by a love for reggae dancehall music, Jamaican culture, a sound system, and some crazy dancehall parties by the sea that lasted until sunrise.
Over the years, Heavy Hammer Sound has toured extensively around the world, performing in all the major European countries, the UK, USA, Jamaica, and Japan, including multiple appearances at Europe’s biggest reggae festivals.
Heavy Hammer is also the resident sound at Italy’s biggest summer dancehall yard, the world-famous Mamanera Beach in S. Foca near Lecce. Their legendary beach parties attract up to 5,000 people each summer night, as they share the turntables with top reggae names, playing until the morning light.
The phenomenon of Mamanera Beach has even been featured in a dedicated documentary, available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1Ba2EPaRg4U
Heavy Hammer represented Europe in 2015 in St. Ann, Jamaica, at the annual Soundfest, the Bass Odyssey anniversary festival.
Heavy Hammer played as resident sound alongside Lampa Dread from Onelove HP at Rototom Sunsplash 2015, the biggest European reggae festival.
In 2019 they also made their second Japan tour, touring the country for 3 weeks for both hardcore dubplate parties and juggling dances.
The Heavy Hammer crew is currently made up of eight members: Raffa, Gecky, Gigi, Quasta, Lep, Boris, Lele, and Charly.
With over a decade in the business, collaborations with top reggae artists and international selectors, hundreds of dancehalls and stages, and a one-of-a-kind dubplate box, Heavy Hammer’s shows offer something truly exclusive that’s hard to replicate.
The dubplate masters from Italy are always ready to mash up your party!
SOUNDCLASH HISTORY
In 2007, the crew won their first official dubplate clash, “One Shot One King”, killing Rome-based Love Massive in front of 1,200 people and quickly earning the title of one of Italy’s most dangerous sound killers.
In 2010, they landed in Stuttgart, Germany, to win World War 3 Soundclash, defeating Deebuzz (Germany), Captain C (Japan, ex-Mighty Crown selector), and Ruffpack (Switzerland).
Later that year, they represented Italy at Riddim Clash 2010 in Düsseldorf, Germany – Europe’s #1 international soundclash – facing City Lock (Germany), Guiding Star (France), Rootsman (Canada), Poison Dart (Antigua), and Blunt Posse (New York). After winning all rounds, they made history by bringing the Riddim Clash trophy to Italy for the first time, killing Blunt Posse in the dub fi dub segment and gaining global recognition.
In 2011–2012, the crew traveled the world representing Italy and Europe in sound wars. They competed in Sound Fi Dead 2011 at the legendary Amazura in New York against Bass Odyssey, Black Cat, Synemax, and Tek 9. After a powerful performance, they made it to the dub fi dub with Bass Odyssey and secured 2nd place in their first New York clash.
Just a week later, they returned to Europe for a one-on-one clash in Wuppertal, Germany, against Florida’s notorious Poison Dart.
In April 2012, they entered the Irish & Chin World Clash R.E.S.E.T. at Pier 1, Montego Bay, Jamaica, going up against Killamanjaro, Bass Odyssey, Black Blunt, Black Cat, Code Red (Jamaica), and Rootsman (Canada). Despite it being their first appearance on Jamaican soil, they placed 3rd, bowing out after a controversial 4th round.
That summer, Heavy Hammer embarked on the first-ever Japan Soundclash Tour by a European sound – 10 days of clashes and dubplate showcases across cities like Osaka, Fukuoka, Yokohama, Okayama, Hyogo, and more, winning every clash
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The year closed with their performance at Global Clash 2012 in Brooklyn, New York, where they clashed with King Addies, Soul Supreme, Risky Dice (Japan), King Klepto (Canada), and Madd Squadd (Jamaica).
In 2014, Heavy Hammer returned to the arena representing Europe at the UK Cup Clash on April 19th in London, battling King Addies, Bass Odyssey, Fire Links, Metromedia (2013 World Clash winner from Jamaica), Jahman Nuclear, and Little Sample (UK). After a spectacular 5-round performance, the Italian killers lost in the dub fi dub after a highly debated Bass Odyssey segment. The clash left a massive impression on the UK crowd and sparked weeks of debate in the sound system scene.
In March 2015, Heavy Hammer was invited back to Sound Fi Dead 2015 in the Bronx, New York, alongside Bass Odyssey, Riddim Force, Camouflage, and Kosmik Movements (USA). The clash was stopped after round 3 due to a tie between Heavy Hammer and Bass Odyssey. After 30 minutes of discussion, it was controversially reset with a single 5-minute round, ending in a disorganized tune fi tune that collapsed after Riddim Force left the stage. This clash became one of the most controversial in sound system history.
In 2018, Heavy Hammer made a powerful comeback to the European clash scene. In March, they participated in War Ina East 2018 against Warrior Sound (Germany). After a stunning performance, they won 4–0 by straight lock-off – an unforgettable moment in clash history for its originality and strength.
In December 2018, they reached one of the world’s most prestigious stages: Soundclash At Sea, part of Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise in the Caribbean. There, they eliminated Bass Odyssey and Renaissance (Jamaica), and nearly killed Tony Matterhorn in the dub fi dub, shocking the cruise audience.
In 2024, Heavy Hammer returned to battle – for the first time in California – at the Reggae on the River Festival in Humboldt County. The clash featured Dynamq and Renaissance. After a spectacular performance, Heavy Hammer locked off both sounds 4–0, without needing to go ‘tune fi tune’.
In 2025, they participated in a historic clash at Summerjam Festival in Cologne, Germany – the first ever clash held at the festival. The event, titled “Anything Can Happen,” had no rules, no votes, no winner, and no trophy. Just three sounds – Heavy Hammer, Code Red (Jamaica) and Warrior Sound (Germany) – giving it their all. Heavy Hammer received massive forwards and left a huge impression on the Summerjam audience.