Grand Ancestor

Record Label | Sound System
Washington, D.C. The Presidential Sound The System brings a uniquely visceral element of sound to the nation’s capital.

In the hand-crafted fashion of the analog days, Grand Ancestor has assembled the only high-fidelity sound system of its kind for the modern listeners of Washington, D.C. Grand Ancestor is inspired by the community-centric traditions of the early-Jamaican and British sound system scenes, later influenced by the underground hip-hop and electronic cultures that captured the world in the years to foll

ow. Grand Ancestor Sound System can best be described as a custom-built, wooden, mobile, 18 cabinet sound station with enough power for a ranger. Rooted and grounded in the District, Grand Ancestor Sound System is an active platform for the growth and diversity of the local underground music scene. A product of several years of hard work, Jason Berto a.k.a Yola along side best friend and chief sound engineer, Patrick Otthofer, the two have been growing their roots, dub, digital, and steppers night, "Computa Age”, in the D.C. area for the past eight years (now known as “Grand Ancestor Presents”). Their dedication to hosting a multiplicity of local and international artists lead to the eventual birth of the limited, vinyl only pressings released under the Grand Ancestor imprint in 2013, and the D.C. based record label hasn’t looked back since. The sounds of Grand Ancestor have reached a global audience over the past five years through Yola’s monthly radio show on the award winning Sub.fm, “Dutty Mondays”. Constructed, stained, and tuned with love, Grand Ancestor Sound System was built for those with a passion for sound. The system was designed to help fill the audio void for D.C.’s growing underground music culture and promote sound system
culture here inna Babylon. Press:

• http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20830661/grand-ancestor-sound-system

• https://trusik.co.uk/2017/05/02/grand-ancestor-the-presidential-sound/

• https://tortoiseandthesnare.com/article/grand-ancestor-the-evolution-of-tradition-in-dc/

02/03/2024

Excited to debut my Latin DJ alias tonight, Granuja, alongside good friends - nuff respect for the invite. Dug deep during my two months in Mexico and NY. Expect a heavy dose of cumbia, salsa, and wherever the wind takes us. As always, strictly vinyl. Be a friend, tell a friend. Tonight, we dance.

01/31/2024

Out to the OGs and everyone who's played a part in keeping this beast roaring and growing for nearly a decade in Babylon HQ, past and present. It takes a village (+ blood, sweat, tears, and splinters). We shall proceed inna Presidential style and fashion. Nobody can stop WE.

01/29/2024

Tonight, back on the mighty for another edition of "Dutty Mondays" with special guest, . 7PM-9PM ET. Show some signal in the chat.

📡🔊📻
Listen: www.sub.fm/listen
Chat: www.sub.fm/chat

10/22/2023

Back on the wheels of steel at to close out a crazy week of gigs. Special guest in the building. Come catch a vibe!

10/09/2023

That Dutty time of the month. Only on the mighty, .
7PM-9PM EDT / 12AM-2AM BST

>> www.sub.fm/chat > www.sub.fm/listen

09/28/2023

Oh what a night! Great to link the legendary, Scientist, stateside and reason about his next visit to DC. Amazing to see The Dub Master behind the desk. Always a pleasure seeing my long time MC and brother from another, man like Hutchy, in the dance as well!

09/19/2023

"DUBstep's dead." They said. Better check that pulse again, bruv. BAD men in the building. Wickedness a gwan. BIG NIGHT IN BABYLON!

09/11/2023

WE'RE BACK! 10/20. Zeba. Decades of Dub in the building. The Presidential Sound. BADNESS. . Presales soon come.

06/16/2023

This coming Thursday at Presidential Stylings is back in action with the family outta Brooklyn. Free all night. Come catch a vibe.

05/23/2023

Sunday, May 28th! We return to the vibes HQ that is . A special Memorial Day Weekend edition of Roots & Future, our monthly link up with the man ! This month, we welcome to this special dub corner in Adam’s Morgan. A soulful sound off from the foundations of roots to the innovative future of the dub traditions. Leave ya worries at the door. 9pm - Close.

05/10/2023

Thursday, May 18th, another dub delegation in the District. We return to for the 3rd Round of Presidential Stylings.

Joined by DC’s Analog Queen, , this is an evening of all-vinyl dub diplomacy!

9pm - 2am, the finest wax from the foundation of roots to the future sounds of dubwise, steppas, and 140 bass.

Leave your worries at the door, this is a vibes conference. ✌️

04/27/2023

🌴 Roots + Future 🚀
Sunday, April 30th!
9pm - Close
We are back in the place this Sunday promoting the music we love. Strictly from the and from the .
Special Guests and Rice n Peas from the legendary DC Sound Clash crew who used to rock Marx Cafe for a couple decadessss. Serious selection, no time for folly.

03/01/2023

March 24th | .dc

Sound System Culture Invades Washington DC. 🛸

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Two titans in the global arena of uk steppas, future dub, and reggae. Decades of dances in one building. First appearance in Babylon HQ. A monumental moment on the Presidential Sound.

Check the link in our bio for more info on the event + tickets.

02/27/2023

⚡️⚡️News Flash⚡️⚡️

Presidential Stylings is Thursday, March 16th!

We are excited to announce our new monthly residency at the freshly-minted ! DC finally has a home for the deep and dubby. Join us with the homie for our monthly excursion through the high-stepping, bass-thumping sounds of , , and sound system driven selections.

02/14/2023

The low-end must keep moving. We are back in Adam’s Morgan again on Feb 26th at the place .

Our monthly session to ward off evil, release the pressure, and journey through sound. No fuss in the dance.

Deep Roots. Steppas. Future Dub.

02/07/2023

Tickets are live!! March 24th, Iration Steppas (UK) & OBF (FR) bring their high-energy, year 3000 sounds of Dub and Steppas music to .dc.

Documentary Screening | 7:30pm Sound System Session | 9:00pm

The night’s session is dedicated to the exploration and proliferation of on a global scale. 🌍

🎥 The programming includes an exclusive documentary screening of "Ina Vanguard Style,” an up-close and personal look into Iration Steppas 30+ years as an active sound system and production unit in the UK dance scene.

Joining Iration Steppas is O.B.F. (Original Bass Foundation - FR). The French dub collective have been mainstay headliners at the largest sound system festivals around the world shortly after launching their residency at "Le Zoo" L’Usine, Geneva’s biggest club in 2006. Since then, their notorious "Dubquake Records” releases and iconic events have become a true institution in the European sound system circuit.

The full and freshly upgraded Grand Ancestor Sound System will power this monumental session in Babylon HQ.

02/01/2023

🚨A Sound System Dance of Presidential Proportions! 🚨

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March 24th | Eaton Hotel | .dc

We welcome two legends in the global to Washington DC.

Watch this space for more info on the Dance (Full Presidential Sound) + Film Screening.

Big up the ones like for the 🔥.

01/27/2023

First session of the year for the Presidential Sound family! Big Foot and Yola joined by for a night called Roots and Future. The only dance in showcasing and . Roots warm-up kicks off at 9pm, straight through the pulsing sounds of the future of until close!

See you Sunday!

Address

Washington D.C., DC

Website

http://www.grandancestor.com/

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Videos

⚠️PRESALE ALERT ⚠️ GA016 (12”, Ltd., Vinyl Only) sees pair or Nordic Dubstep Dons join forces for their debut release as “Channel 15” with two reggae classics reimagined inna DUBtechno style and fashion. >> USA PRESALE LIVE NOW: http://www.grandancestor.com/shop >> EU PRESALE COMING SOON