Bio

The Foundation: Admiral Bailey to Channel One

The story of Channel One Sound System begins long before its official establishment in 1979. It starts with the arrival of the Windrush generation and the birth of UK sound system culture.

In the 1960s, Mikey Dread’s father ran the legendary Admiral Bailey Sound, one of the pioneering systems bringing the music of Jamaica to London. Growing up in a house filled with amplifiers and vinyl, brothers Mikey Dread and Jah T absorbed the culture from birth. In 1979, the torch was passed. The brothers took over the running of their father’s sound, renaming it Channel One in homage to the iconic Channel One recording studio on Maxwell Avenue in Jamaica - a seal of quality for the roots rock reggae they were determined to push.

While many sound systems stayed local, Channel One had a broader vision: "To break down barriers via Reggae music."

Breaking Down Barriers

After witnessing the historic Bob Marley performance at Crystal Palace Bowl in 1980 — having travelled straight from a sound system session in Cambridge the night before — Mikey Dread was inspired to take the sound on a new journey, reaching audiences beyond its traditional spaces by touring the UK university circuit.

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Channel One carried roots and dub into colleges and universities across the country. For many students it was their first experience of an authentic sound system session, and these dances quietly helped sow the seeds for what would later emerge as the UK’s jungle, dubstep and wider bass music culture.

The Stack, Tradition in sound

While most modern performances rely on digital formats, Channel One continues to play strictly vinyl — 12”, 10” and 7” records and dubplates. The bespoke, hand-built speaker stack is custom-engineered and meticulously maintained, preserving the original principles of analogue sound system performance.

• The Brain: A custom-built pre-amp that controls the frequencies.
• The Source: A single turntable. 
• The Power: Amplifiers, manufactured to sound close to a Valve amplifier that provide a warm, rounded, "heavyweight" bass that you feel as much as you hear.

Mikey Dread, the selector, carries the musical meditation, while the MCs — including Macky Banton and Ras Sherby — voice the session through chanting and song, spreading conscious words in the Rastafari tradition.

Global Ambassadors & Culture Clash Champions

The new millennium saw Channel One ascend to global status.

• 2010: Channel One famously won the Red Bull Culture Clash at The Roundhouse, defeating Metalheadz, Soul Jazz, and Skream & Benga to prove that Roots music could out-power any genre.
• 2012: They became the first reggae sound system to play Wembley Arena, competing against Major Lazer and Boy Better Know.
• Residencies: From their viral monthly sessions at Village Underground to their regular show on G Shock Radio, Channel One continues to educate new generations of listeners.

Channel One & Greensleeves Records

In 2023, Channel One released Down In the Dub Vaults in partnership with legendary UK reggae institution Greensleeves Records. The album was a special moment for us — a deep dive into the archives, bringing forward heavyweight dubs and roots selections that reflect the heart of our sound system tradition. Rooted in analogue culture and crafted for true sound system listening, the project honoured the foundation while reaching new ears worldwide.

The release sold out — a powerful reminder that authentic, bass-led, conscious music still resonates across generations. Down In the Dub Vaults stands as a milestone in our journey, connecting Channel One’s heritage with the wider legacy of UK reggae culture.

The Mission Continues

Today, Channel One is more than just a Sound System; it is a global institution. From tours in South America, Australia, and USA to festivals across Europe, Mikey Dread and the crew continue to carry the flame. The venues have changed, but the mission remains the same: Peace, Love, and Unity through the power of reggae music.