Bounty KillerThis is the final article in a series of interviews with the nominees for the 'Best Reggae Album' in this year's Grammy Awards. The Grammy ceremony will be held on February 23.
LOVE HIM or hate him, Bounty Killer has always had a knack for controversy.
After a 10-year career, a good part of which has seen him involved in quite a few, it is a talent he has come to acknowledge and accept.
"There are times when situation come that you never go and ask for. It's just like trouble. Trouble never set like rain so yuh go there not prepared for trouble and you don't like trouble. But when you are in trouble you have to do what you have to do," he says.
The man christened Rodney Pryce and dubbed the 'Poor People Governor' as well as 'Warlord' is one of five men nominated for 'Best Reggae Album' at the Grammys. His album Ghetto Dictionary: The Mystery was the effort that got the nod.
He earned the name 'Poor People's Governor' based on his social commentaries. Bounty Killer thinks all artistes should play such a role. His nominated album Ghetto Dictionary: The Mystery has at least three tracks dedicated to social commentary.
Pryce has managed to make the headlines more often than any other of the nominees. With spliff in hand, he defends himself about the many disputes where he has seemingly played the role of aggressor on almost all occasions.
He has been at loggerheads with the law and members of the entertainment fraternity. From Beenie Man (an almost constant opposer) to pop group 'No Doubt', he has fought the battles.
"Well it's not what you like. Is what life have to offer. You might be in trouble an' defending yourself and people feel that you are enjoying yourself. I have to stand up... because I am so happy and because you have to stand up and look like you are not the worse, people could a feel like yuh enjoy it but I'm just standing up for my rights," he continued.
His runs in with trouble have come in various forms. In 2001, he was sentenced to community service after using profanity on a local stage show. In the same year he was implicated but later cleared after a verbal clash between himself, Merciless and Beenie Man which ended in a bottle-throwing incident on dancehall night of Reggae Sumfest.
To add to his long list of woes, he is involved in legal wranglings in the United States with a promoter who sued him for failing to turn up for a show. No Doubt also sued him over royalties and mechanical rights for their collaboration Hey Baby. Hey Baby went to number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States (U.S.).
He disclosed that the litigation between himself and No Doubt has been settled. He commented that if asked he would once again work with the group and possibly other persons with whom he has had disagreements.
"Even if you and an artiste have business problems yuh not supposed to put that in the way of the art. Even like me and Dave Kelly, if the real people feel like me and Dave Kelly should collaborate again we'll have to do it because we know that the music stands over all. It was a great chemistry and it wasn't friendship. It was musical talent that brought this. So we can't let friendship hurt music. So it's just that. If I should get in the studio with No Doubt tomorrow I will. No problem," he said while waving his hands to emphasise his point.
Bounty Killer has not denied his involvement in the various 'passa passa' (controversies) that have dogged his career, admitting he is a walking magnet for controversy.
"From ever since I came into existence I'm the centre of 'passa passa'. So I couldn't be licking out against 'passa passa'."
However, he seems not to be bothered by that. He is not bothered by many things, including his detractors who believe a victory at the Grammys on February 23 will make him even more arrogant.
"Over the years Bounty Killer has had a lot of achievements and it never change Bounty Killer. Grammy would be the biggest achievement to date. But what happened previously? Do I have no other achievements that would make me feel cocky or excited or feel like I'm more than other people? Those achievements have never done that to me so I don' see why a Grammy should do it? I'm not so excited about Grammy!" he said.
"I think being at the forefront of dancehall for 10 years, that is the biggest 'Grammy'. It's very hard to keep at the forefront for 10 years. I'm not dissing the Grammy (nomination). I appreciate it and much respect but my biggest achievement to date is being at the forefront for 10 years consistently. That's bigger than any Grammy or any other award. That's the biggest award and that's what the Lord has done for me and also the support of the fans."
Nonetheless, Bounty Killer is proud of his nomination. To him, it is one of the accolades he is receiving for his hard work and, like another nominee, thinks the right album received the nod.
"Dis one was one that was meant for the gully, the streets and the ghetto. It wasn't anything trying to break internationally. It was just something trying to express our situation and what we going through and it reflect the time when the album was recorded and what we were going through at the time."
He admits, however, that teaming up with No Doubt may have helped his chances.
That aside, he has been in feuds with many persons (including producer Dave Kelly). However, he was quick to add that he disliked no one, what he hated was their dispositions.
"Sometimes yuh just don't cope with that type of personality. People weh have certain ways we nuh link with them. So there are people who we can't get along with in the industry. It's not people you dislike, is dem ways. Cause If people sleeping or lying down you have no problem with them. Is really people ways mi dislike. So we stay far from each other and we have more love and unity."
However, whether or not he dislikes many personalities in dancehall, it has not earned him the respect of many fans. Some see him as a troublemaker while others have branded him as being 'badminded'- criticisms he fends off as mere statements made out of ignorance.
"People will always tend to dislike you and misunderstand you. I'm a public personality so I come to learn that this is something you accept. People will like you and dislike you, that's a part of the game. Who hate mi, hate mi and that's just plain from the heart. If yuh rate me yuh rate me if yuh hate me yuh hate me. Who am I to tell you what to do? So I have no problem with that."
For persons who classify him as 'envious', he pointed to his consistent attempts to expose new talent. He said, "Why dem seh Bounty badmind? Tell me? Might be if they give you the examples yuh laugh haffa dem. Bounty badmind? Which artiste in Jamaica help artiste as much as Bounty? Name him? Bounty burst the most artiste and Bounty is the most badmind artiste? What about all the good-minded and good-hearted artiste who they took with them? I burst Scare Dem - four artiste one time. When me fin' Wayne Marshall him never have one song. So if a that mek me badmind, well mi nuh know?"
His high standards have kept him at the top of the dancehall. Many think that his sticking to hardcore lyrics has done him more harm than good as far as his international career is concerned. Bounty Killer has never had a solo Billboard Hot 100 hit. All his hits have come in tandem with overseas acts such as No Doubt and the Fugees. That is one dream he would like to accomplish.
"Yeah that's what we are working for to find a Bounty Killer song in the top 10. A solo dancehall effort like that of Sean Paul and I think that at the time it is a great effort," he said.
Despite what persons may think, he says he is happy for all Jamaican artistes who have been successful. This includes Sean Paul and others despite the rows they may have had in the past.
"I feel great about them. Especially Sean Paul on a straight dancehall beat. From a man mek it in the U.S. yuh have to accept his blessings and success because you know you would want that for yourself. Yuh can't dislike a man success even if you don't like him ways. If you hate success it won't come your way."
While acknowledging the limited international success he has had, Bounty Killer remains grateful for what he has achieved. He points out that his 'musical journey' started out without envisioning stardom but to utilise his talent. Consequently he is proud of performing on the Super Bowl as well as gaining the attention of pop audiences and a throng of fans locally.
In all of this he has one fear. The fear is signing to a record label. In a matter of time, he will be signed with a U.S. producer. Although seemingly ready to take on the challenge of being signed to a major label, he is somewhat apprehensive.
"Currently I'm talking to Swizz Beatz and dem talking about signing me. I'm not one running down a record deal cause I'm scared of a record deal."
He continues, "When you get a record deal and there is no success it hamper yuh and it alter yuh in the U.S. A record company spend certain amount of money on you and hopes to make it back. If they don't they write you off as a tax write off. I don't want to be written off as a tax write off. I want to make back that money. It's a task so I guess after 10 years you have to go on to take up that task."
Many think it is a task he can manage. They point for instance to his stage performance which has improved over the last year. He admits it is a part of his career which he said he has learnt to deal with over time. He adds that he is willing to continue on this road since he will continue to get good reviews.
In all of this, at the end of the day he wants to be remembered as someone who has worked hard to achieve his goals.
"I want to be remembered as a hardworking artiste who stood for his art, who put out the best in everything him try fi do. So we want to be remembered as a talented artiste. I don't like to make plans. This game owes me nothing. I gain so much from it and I wouldn't even think that the game owe me a next dollar. So I think I've got much from it."
