Dubplate - Dubplate Special

A dubplate special, also known as a dubplate or special, is an exclusive version of a piece of music, usually (re-)recorded by a reggae, dancehall, dubstep, drum and bass, soca, chutney, hip hop or any other genre artist that the sound system is able to solicit for the dubplate. Although CD is now the preferred format for these recordings, the use of the word "Dubplate" (commonly abbreviated "dub", particularly in the drum and bass scene) to describe them has survived.

These recordings are often used for competing in a sound clash, in which rival reggae or soca sound systems compete with each other to produce the most imaginative or unusual dubplate specials. The exclusivity of the recording is made evident by changes to the usual lyrics to include the name of the sound system that has commissioned the recording, often remarking on the prowess of the sound system in question, and sometimes the weaknesses of the opposing sound system(s) in a given competition.

Dubplate Specials are an essential tool in a sound clash – the more exclusive the better – but they also form an intrinsic part of the Reggae industry. A notable example is the special of "No, No, No (You Don't Love Me)" recorded by Dawn Penn for a number of sound systems in the early nineties. The special recorded for Saxon Studio International sound system replaced the lyrics "No, no, no, you don't love me..." with "No, no, no, can't test Saxon", referring to the invincibility of the sound system. The song became an international hit, and Dawn Penn endorsed several other sound systems with the same lyrics and continued to do so for many years.