‘That’s where it all started’

For dancehall icon Rodney Price, better known as Bounty Killer, Wenchman Road is more than just a street. It is where many of his defining memories were made, where he was injured, discovered music and recorded his first song. On Tuesday, that same road became the setting for another defining moment, as it was officially renamed Rodney Price Drive during a ceremony at the Seaview Gardens Primary School, where the dancehall icon was also presented with the Key to the City of Kingston.

Residents packed the venue to witness one of their own being celebrated. The boy they watched grow into a man would go on to pick up a microphone and become one of dancehall’s most iconic figures. Parliamentarians, councillors, leaders in the community and residents all gathered for the occasion, which celebrated both the man and the road that shaped his journey.

A reflective Price recalled that Wenchman Road was where his musical journey began. “I spent all of my teenage life and my early adult life here, so I’m just saying big respect to the community of Seaview Garden. We are the Mecca of greatness, and I want everybody to always remember that. Our community is a garden, a golden garden,” said Price.

Turning his attention to the beginnings of his musical journey, Price paid tribute to the individuals who encouraged him, opened the door to the recording studio and helped shape his career, including former Scare Dem Crew member Boom Dandimite. “Big up Boom Dandimite, who encouraged me to go to the studio, as we used to ride our bicycles to Jammys. And I have to big up a man called Wayne Smith because that is how it all got started. Wayne Smith was the one who gave me the experience to put on earphones over my ears and go into a recording booth. The first song I ever recorded was right in Wayne Smith’s studio in his room, right there on Wenchman Road. That’s where it all started. So, Wayne, though you are no longer among us, I have to say big up to you in Zion. Big up to the Scare Dem Crew, Innocent Crew, Elephant Man, to Nitty Kutchie and to all the entertainers from Seaview Gardens,” he added.

He also spoke of one of the darkest moments of his youth, one that unfolded along Wenchman Road, before tracing the path that eventually led him into music. “A just right round the road deh so me get shot when me a 16 and a same place round a Wenchman Road me drop dung, and my father come tek me up and bawl ‘Lawd look how me warn you fi stay eena d yard!’ Dat was a day. And it’s the same gunshot me remember, when we reach up a Jammy’s when me say ‘Coopa shot’, and from there to here.”

Before unveiling the new sign, Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby stated that both signs for Wenchman Road and Rodney Price Drive will remain for a year to facilitate the expected adjustment, after which the Wenchman Road sign will be removed permanently.

He hailed the entertainment and creative industries, and music in particular, which he says occupies a significant place in Jamaica’s economy and global influence. “It creates livelihoods, and it gives this country a cultural reach that few nations can match. There are countries, many times oversized, with far greater resources that cannot produce the global impact of a Jamaican river, a Jamaican forest, or our sound system culture. This is an industry that has helped to shape how the world sees Jamaica, and it deserves the same level of attention and investment that we give to other sectors that contribute to our national development,” said Swaby.

Among those eager to witness the unveiling was Carmen Maragh, who grew up near Wenchman Road and has known Bounty Killer since he was a child. She said his success changed perceptions of both the community and the road that nurtured him. “A good youth dat. Mannersable and kind and a him bring recognition to roun’ here. People used to think sey Seaview a just swamp and mangrove but Killer mek dem know sey good things can come from Seaview. So, though we nuh have nuh big name, we still manage fi produce big-name people and artistes. So, big up youself, Bounty. Yeah. One Killer pon d app!”

nicola.cunningham@gleanerjm.com