After over 15 years, dancehall’s indomitable “Warlord,” Bounty Killer, returned to Brooklyn final month rocking Barclays Heart to its core.
In accordance with Jamaican-born New York leisure publicist Anthony “ER Guru” Turner, the middle was “packed to the rafters” as followers witnessed what many are calling one of many deejay’s most electrifying performances ever.
“It was a historic second in time for a tradition that had lengthy missed its beloved hero,” Turner instructed Caribbean Life.
CJ Milan produced the live performance, billed as “Reggae Fest Presents: The Return of Bounty Killer.”
“With the sold-out Brooklyn present, Bounty joined elite firm—changing into solely the third dancehall artist ever, alongside Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton, to promote out an area right here in New York,” Turner mentioned.
From “Poor Folks Fed Up” to the highly effective chant of “The Lord is My Gentle and Salvation,” Turner mentioned Bounty, backed by the unbelievable Nin9 X Nin9 Band, took the gang on a musical odyssey.
“Each lyric landed like a grenade, uncooked and unfiltered,” Turner mentioned. “Songs like ‘Eagle and Di Hawk,’ ‘Look into My Eyes,‘ and ‘Coppershot‘ have been delivered clinically, reminding followers why Bounty is an icon.“
Halfway into his set, Turner mentioned Bounty welcomed longtime pal, Richie Stephens, to the stage.
Turner mentioned they carried out “Maniac“ and a rousing, crowd-pleasing rendition of Tony Insurgent’s “Contemporary Vegetable. ”
He mentioned Stephens additionally delivered a nostalgic solo efficiency of his basic “Attempting to Get to You“ that earned rapturous applause.
“The night time was full of love, recollections, and pure vitality,“ Turner mentioned.
He mentioned performances by Masicka, Mavado, Elephant Man, and others saved the momentum excessive.
Turner mentioned one of many night’s most touching moments got here when Majah Myah, Bounty’s son, joined him on stage.
“It was a symbolic passing of the torch—the place dancehall’s basis met its future,“ he mentioned.
Different artists who graced the stage included Dexta Daps, Junior Reid, Ok-Queens, I-Octane, Charly Black, and Kiprich—”all delivering heartfelt tributes to the person many credited with opening doorways for them,“ Turner mentioned.
He mentioned Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Leisure and producer of Reggae Sumfest, flew in from Kingston, Jamaica, for the event.
“Bounty killed it,“ mentioned Bogdanovich about Saturday night time’s sell-out efficiency.
After the present, Bounty Killer shared a private message on Instagram: “To my followers who stuffed the Barclays Heart and shared this iconic night time with me — singing, dancing, and vibing as I poured out my soul—you all made me really feel really particular.
“Huge respect to CJ Milan and the Reggae Fest Tour group for giving dancehall this international platform,“ he added. “From planning to execution, the manufacturing was world-class. My coronary heart is full. The mission continues. See you once more quickly.“
After the live performance, Bounty Killer’s supervisor, Paul “Bankey“ Giscombe, instructed Caribbean Life that he “stood by Bounty and believed in him, when the percentages have been towards us.
“I instructed him he would make it – simply depart it to the Creator,“ Giscombe added.
