(From left): Marc Chin, Cutty and Matthew Gray from the Coppershot family. - File

It has been 16 years in the business but for sound system Coppershot it has been years spent building their name across the globe and keeping young, fresh and hype.

Coppershot was founded from the dreams of three Campionites, Matthew Gray, Shaun Anderson and Jason Henriques, who all shared a genuine love for music and dancehall culture.

Since its inception, the Coppershot family has extended from the three original members to include young *la*hds such as Blaine 'Cutty' Nesbitt, Marc Chin, DJ Sanjay Smith, Joel 'Small Voice' Channer, Donald 'DJ Donny' Whittingham and newest member Andrew 'DJ Ash' Hemley. Originally viewed as an uptown sound, Coppershot broke ground over the years playing at parties as well as hard-core sessions.

Having copped the award for 'Sound of the Year' at the Youth View Awards in 2008, there is no doubt that while established Coppershot still appeals to the youth as much as when they first started. Matthew Gray told THE STAR recently, "We have new *la*hd which helps with appealing to young people. We're always looking for new people who have that special vibe, as we try to stay on top of the current trends and to create trends as well."

One of the trends the sound created was their popular 'Lunatics TV', a series of videos featuring the sound and dancehall artistes and followers, that are featured on social networking site Facebook.com. Showcasing their sense of humour, the sound is always willing to go the extra mile to please their fans. Since starting on their musical journey, Coppershot has made fans across the globe having toured with deejay Sean Paul as well as playing in the United States, England, Japan, the Middle east, Columbia and the Caribbean.

more projects

There will be more travelling in the future, as Gray disclosed that they are in discussion to have a European and African tour. Also in the planning is a Coppershot 16th anniversary party. Outside of playing music, the sound also produces music with their current single, Cleanest by QQ and Chedda, doing well. There are more projects to come.

While they have achieved much, for Gray, there is always more to come. "We want Coppershot to be a household name, that when you talk about uptown sounds and judge sounds we'll be a benchmark of sounds," he explained

Gray said the sound is currently looking for a young DJ, fresh out of school, to train to be their newest member. Gray believes there is a bright future in the music business arguing that, "music is one of the major ways for exposure right now, and the government needs to recognise that and protect it. The private sector, as well, needs to get more involved."

Coppershot will be one of the sounds playing at the 'Stars on the Rise' concert that will be held at The Gleaner company this Saturday at 4 p.m. The concert will also feature DJ Liquid, Boom Boom, the top five from the Digicel Rising Stars competition, past contestants Natel, Cameal Davis and Brown Suga, and some of dancehall's hottest like I-Octane, Wasp and Khago.