1-2-3 Baddadan

Based in Chicago, Taylor Dave built Innocent Sound in 1993. He then relocated to Los Angeles, California. In 1997 while visiting Miami, Florida, Taylor was Looking for A selector to play the sound. It was there he had been informed of a young talented selector by the name of Dappa Leethal. Dappa who was 18yrs old and formerly a selector of Miami’s most loaded sound Crystal had been a free agent at the time. A meeting was setup between the two by a mutual friend where they had a discussion about him playing Innocent and becoming the team captain. That same day Dappa decided this offer was too good to refuse and became the head selector of Innocent Sound. Two days later Dappa was on a flight to Los Angeles to pick up the dub box and fly back to Miami. After a few weeks of studying the dubs Innocent was making guest appearances at local dances and creating a buzz in the dancehall. Later on that year Innocent Sound promoted their first dance in Miami. A clash between themselves and a sound named Tek Life from Queens, New York. Although the competition was stiff Innocent managed to pull it off. Innocent started keeping dances once a month in Los Angeles.

After 2 years of being on the sound Dappa felt they needed an M.C. Taylor agreed and they started their search. In 1999 Dappa met up with Nasheen who was an aggressive M.C. formerly of a sound named Capricorn to talk to him about joining Innocent. Nasheen declined the offer at the time, stating that he wasn’t interested in sound business right now. A month later while Innocent was playing in Ft. Lauderdale Dappa noticed Nasheen was in the venue and asked him to M.C. for him. Nasheen agreed and 7 minute into their set they had the crowd going wild. After a 45 minute set Dappa introduced Taylor to Nasheen quote “this is the youth I been telling you about” Taylor liked what he heard and Nasheen became a permanent member of Innocent Sound. After Nasheen first three months playing the sound Innocent became one of Miami’s hottest sounds juggling or clashing they had crowd control. By 2002 Innocent had more dates than they could handle and need another selector/M.C. for the sound so they recruited Juxy Fire who was a high school friend of Dappa’s formerly of Black Shadow which was also a top juggling sound in Miami But mostly known for producing riddims such as The Buzz, Surpise and so on. Innocent was now stronger than ever being able to play 3 dates in one night and also play as a team. In 2004 Innocent had a clash With Poison Dart and Black Kat in which they lost brutally to poison dart. They then began to focus on juggling fulltime which really paid off. As Innocent had the place on lock Juxy decided it was time they had a venue that they could call home which would later be known as Fire Mondays. Fire Mondays was the only place to party on a Monday night and this party was packed every week. Special guest sounds and artist passé through to get a piece of the fire and hold a vibe. After four years Fire Mondays was discontinued but the sound was still on top. In 2008 Nasheen and Juxy decided it was time step back on to the clash scene. Innocent was booked for Closed Casket, a 1 vs 1 against Poison Dart. This clash is where Innocent made their name in the clash market. Defeating Dart 3 rounds straight and tune fi tune left the world in a frenzy. They then went to New York 2 weeks later as Poison Dart’s tag team partner in New York vs Florida against Tek 9 and Blunt Posse. In 2012 Innocent placed second at Brooklyn Massacre, first place at No Mercy defeating King Klepto from Canada and Kosmik Movements in their home town. On August 3rd 2013 they also locked off Tek 9 Movements In their home town of Brooklyn defeating them 5 rounds straight. Innocent is now not only one of Florida’s top sounds but also one of America’s top sounds. Wining clashes in Florida, New York, Jamaica and Canada they continue to Juggle day in day out and strive to be the best. With Taylor, Dappa, Nasheen, Juxy and newest member Neily, Innocent has a promising future. Not too many sounds can manage to juggle and clash but Innocent has the formula to do so which keeps them pretty busy.