DUBLIN — A unique fusion of professional wrestling and live music unfolded recently at Clash at the Quays, an event held as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival. Since its inception in 2023, the show has brought together Irish and British rappers, grime artists, and wrestlers in a shared space where theatrical storytelling and competitive performances blend.
The 2024 edition took place at the Button Factory, attracting a sold-out crowd gathered tightly around a wrestling ring positioned at the center of the venue. Attendees received Mexican luchador-style masks, and many brought signs and markers to participate in the event’s interactive atmosphere reminiscent of major wrestling promotions. The evening’s lineup featured a 10-man battle royale, an appearance by American wrestler Rich Swann, and several matchups pairing Irish rappers with U.K. grime M.C.s.
Karim Tamu, performing as Ahmed With Love and the event’s organizer, emphasized the importance of theatricality in both wrestling and music throughout the night. “I always try to make the sets as theatrical as possible to keep in line with pro wrestling,” he said, working with performers to craft storylines that unfold spontaneously during their sets.
The event showcased the stylistic contrasts between hip-hop and grime. Grime, characterized by its raw electronic beats and head-to-head microphone battles, emphasizes stylistic clashes rather than narrative storytelling, allowing artists to adopt comic, absurdist, or cartoonish personas. Elijah, a grime D.J. and writer, described the genre’s appeal as an entertaining space where performers compete for crowd reaction.
Wrestlers contributed to the evening's dramatic tension by playing characters that embraced over-the-top personas and staged conflicts, engaging audiences through the convention known as kayfabe, where spectators and performers alike suspend disbelief to enjoy the spectacle.
Irish participants incorporated local cultural references and storytelling traditions into their acts. Sloucho, a masked Dublin producer and surprise in-ring guest, noted that Irish folklore and mythology—stories of shapeshifters and fantastical beings—are deeply embedded in the national consciousness, informing the creativity of the performing artists.
The event drew talent from across Ireland, including rapper Lil Skag from Enniscorthy, whose Atlanta-influenced style combines braggadocio with vivid portrayals of Irish suburban life. Dublin-based rapper Curtisy, known for his jazzy, upbeat sound, adopted a more confrontational persona during his bout against London’s Nori. The two exchanged improvised lyrical taunts and counterpoints, evoking the traditional wrestling promo confrontations through social media videos and live performance.
The rap battles unfolded in a rhythm akin to a wrestling card, marked by momentum shifts and dramatic comebacks. The musical backdrop extended beyond rap, with D.J.s Rory Sweeney and Mathair providing electronic music selections during the battle royale, featuring techno and dubstep that intensified the theatrical atmosphere with strobe lighting and pulsating beats.
Local artists elicited the most enthusiastic responses from the audience. When Lil Skag dethroned the reigning champion Kibo, the crowd celebrated with a chorus of his victory anthem. As the event concluded, Tamu reflected on the evening’s progress, expressing satisfaction with the growth from the previous year and openness to the event's evolving format moving forward.
“The beauty of Clash,” he said, “is that it can really take any shape it wants.”