On Saturday, July 5, 2025, the very partitions of Brooklyn’s Barclays Heart trembled—not simply from the booming basslines of dancehall, however from the pounding hearts and thunderous love from the sold-out crowd who got here to welcome again a dwelling legend.
After more than 15 years away from U.S. levels, ‘Warlord’ Bounty Killer—considered one of dancehall’s fiercest voices and most revered sons—returned as a hero. As New York’s Irie Jam radio host DJ Roy launched him, Brooklyn bowed in respect.
“Reggae Fest Presents: The Return of Bounty Killer,” produced by CJ Milan, was greater than a live performance. It was a historic second in time for a tradition that had lengthy missed its basic. The evening’s emotional excessive got here from Bounty Killer and the musical household he helped construct and whom he had invited to hitch him on stage.
Masicka delivered a brief however scientific efficiency that gave a glimpse of the way forward for dancehall. Aidonia lit the stage together with his signature hearth. When ‘Gully Gad Mavado’—his one-time protégé—took the stage to carry out “So Particular,” his voice cracked with emotion. Stopping mid-song, he turned to salute the person who believed in him earlier than the world ever did. The group erupted—not simply in applause, however in acknowledgment of legacy.
Because the lights dimmed at 11.08 pm and the riddims dropped, girls screamed their hearts out. Males pounded their chests, others high-fived one another, some lifted flags, whereas others lit up the sector with cellphones. All have been proud to be part of this historic second. For a number of treasured hours, time rewound, and the spirit of Jamaica roared by New York.
From the opening bars of “Poor Folks Fed Up” to the haunting chant of “The Lord is my Gentle and Salvation,” Bounty Killer and his backing band Nin9 X Nin9 took us on a musical odyssey, delivering a scintillating efficiency that was extra sermon than setlist. Each lyric from his in depth tune catalogue hit like a bomb—uncooked, actual, and related. Songs like “Eagle and Di Hawk,” “Look Into My Eyes,” “Coppershot,” and “Kill Fi Enjoyable” hit like a bullet from a Glock, reminding the group why Bounty stays not simply an icon, however the one and solely Grung Gaadzilla.
Bounty launched his good friend and vocal coach Richard ‘Richie’ Stephens halfway by his efficiency, and so they embraced like long-lost brothers. Their efficiency of “Maniac” and Richie’s execution of his 90s dancehall hit “Making an attempt to Get to You” was nostalgic, whereas a an tailored model by each, of Tony Insurgent’s “Contemporary Vegetable” had the women screaming for extra. The love poured in all evening. Majah Myah, Bounty’s personal son—standing proudly beside his dad. In that second, dancehall’s future met its basis. A literal passing of the torch, witnessed by 1000’s. Bear in mind the place you first noticed this teenager 10 years from now when he turns into a world celebrity.
Dexta Daps, Junior Reid, Okay-Queens, I-Octane, Charly Black, Kip Wealthy and Elephant Man have been among the many celeb pals who all graced the stage. However none have been mere performances. Every artist introduced a tribute, a thank-you letter in tune to the Warlord who paved their path.
Even throughout the ocean, Vybz Kartel, Bounty’s once-rival and now-reggae icon, was making his personal impression as he wrote dancehall historical past acting at Europe’s Summerjam Pageant. The message was clear: Dancehall, born on Kingston’s gritty streets, now thunders throughout continents.
Reggae Sumfest boss Joe Bogdanovich, who flew to New York from Kingston with seven members of his group for the historic Brooklyn shindig, praised Bounty for delivering a efficiency of a lifetime.
“What we witnessed in Barclays was a efficiency solely the Godfather of Dancehall Bounty may ship. When he left that stage, there have been no chickens left within the coop—simply feathers in every single place. Bounty killed it!” he exclaimed!
Because the evening drew to an in depth, the applause was not only for Bounty’s hit songs—it was for survival, for resilience, for perseverance and for believing in oneself. Go indiscretions have been forgiven. Beefs have been squashed. This was greater than leisure. It was redemption. It’s a brand new day in dancehall music.
As one fan exclaimed, “Bounty is now not cross, indignant and depressing…he’s wiser, calmer, however he can nonetheless entertain and have interaction his followers.”
In a deeply private message posted to Instagram after his efficiency, Bounty Killer shared:
“Saturday, July fifth, 2025, will eternally be etched in my coronary heart as probably the most highly effective moments of my complete profession. After greater than 15 years away from the U.S. stage, to return and be embraced with such overwhelming love and power—I’ve to provide thanks. To my followers who stuffed the Barclays Heart and shared this iconic evening with me—singing, dancing, and vibing as I poured out my soul with each tune—you all made me really feel actually particular. Your power fueled each lyric, each second, and each heartbeat of the efficiency. Huge respect to CJ Milan and the Reggae Fest Tour group. Thanks for believing in me from day one, and for giving dancehall this world platform it so rightly deserves. From the planning to the flawless execution, the manufacturing was world-class. I can’t thanks sufficient for making this imaginative and prescient a actuality…My coronary heart is full. The mission continues. See you once more quickly.”
Now, with talks of a solo North American tour on the horizon, it’s clear this return was not the grand finale. It is just the start.
