Bounty Killer brought his A-game to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on July 5, attracting a full house for his first performance in the United States in 15 years.

Billed as ‘Reggae Fest Presents: The Return of Bounty Killer’, the sold-out concert was a cultural moment.

The 53 year-old deejay, whose US visa was reinstated last March, closed the show with an energetic set replete with anthems like Look, Coppershot, Fed Up, Sufferer, and Eagle And The Hawk.

Among the highlights was when Miss Ivy’s last son called for Dave Kelly’s legendary Bug rhythm and launched into Look Into My Eyes. The fans in the arena roared with thousands rising to their feet in a moment of raw energy.

With his backing band Nin9 X Nin9, the Warlord delivered what many are hailing as the most electrifying show of his 40-year career.

There were cameos and surprise appearances from Dexta Daps, I-Octane, Aidonia, Mavado, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Richie Stephens, Kiprich and Charlie Black.

Bounty’s son, Majah Myah, also stepped into the spotlight. Another unforgettable moment came from Mavado and Aidonia, who held the crowd in rapt attention, delivering hit after hit with energy and conviction.

Stephens, a long-time friend of Bounty Killer — given name Rodney Price — described the evening as “a celebration of Jamaican music and culture” that proved the power of dancehall music from the 1990s, commercially the genre’s most successful era.

Barclays Center is the home of NBA team the Brooklyn Nets. It hosted shows on consecutive nights in April by Vybz Kartel, which were bolstered by profuse coverage on mainstream outlets like Fox television and
Billboard magazine. Bounty Killer’s comeback gig received strong play in New York City’s vast Jamaican community.

“Di promotion was second to none. What Rodney did dat was very powerful, he went to di grass roots in Bronx an’ Brooklyn an’ di mom an’ pop stores. He left no stone unturned when it came to grass roots promotion and di people loved it,” said Stephens.

Bounty Killer’s manager Paul “Bankey” Giscombe, in a heartfelt confession before his Barclays Arena concert, said: “I believed in Rodney when the odds were stacked against him. When our backs were against the wall I told him he would make it…just believe and leave it to the Creator.”

As the curtain fell on the show Bounty Killer didn’t just leave the stage; he left a legacy firmly intact. And he’s not done yet. A solo North American tour is already in the works.

— Howard Campbell

Bounty Killer (left) onstage with Junior Reid at Barclays Center. (Photo: Tiesha “Tizzy Tokyo” Pough)