‘Bounty Killer is dancehall’

With so many birthday blessings and big-ups coming from his friends in the music industry on Sunday, the 'Five Star General', Bounty Killer had no time to even think about being "cross, angry, miserable".

Birthday tributes came from across various platforms from the likes of Papa San, Busy Signal, Cutty Ranks, Konshens, Kevin Downswell, Shelly Belly, Mavado, Ajii, Lena British, Beenie Man and Spragga Benz.

And on Sunday night, at the rain-delayed 50th birthday concert sponsored by Digicel, the ambassador was told to his face just how much he has influenced dancehall.

"I was asked what impact Bounty Killer has made on dancehall and my answer was 'Bounty Killer is dancehall'," Spice declared triumphantly as she performed on the stage inside Digicel's parking lot where 'It's A Party' was hosted. By the cheers and the decibels of the vuvuzuelas, it was obvious that her words resounded throughout the venue.

Bounty Killer, who formed his Alliance camp decades ago, and has seen artistes such as Mavado and Vybz Kartel graduating from his 'school' has long been hailed as a stalwart in the music industry whose mentorship has steered the careers of several artistes. Both Busy Signal and Dexta Daps were vocal in their tributes to dancehall's best loved 'Warlord'. Dexta Daps shared how Bounty Killer's encouragement and his advice to ignore the naysayers had helped him tremendously to navigate the sometimes treacherous musical waters.

"I don't know if Bounty himself understand what he did for me," said Dexta Daps, who, as usual, had all the dollies pushing to the front of stage on his arrival, while screaming and begging for his personal number.

Popcaan, Nitty Kutchie, Konshens, General B, Wickerman, Jahshii, Munga Honorable and Khago were among the other guest performers on Sunday night, and many of them reminded themselves that "this is not a concert, we are paying homage to Bounty Killer".

Bounty, for his part, was full of gratitude and told his fans to help him to say "a big thank you" to Digicel.