Grand Ancestor

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/