Bounty Killer Albums (8)
'Jamaica's Most Wanted'
Release Date 7/17/2000
Tracks 15
Label Greensleeves
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'Next Millennium'
Release Date 10/20/1998
Tracks 13
Label TVT Records
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What The Critics Say
In the '90s, Bounty Killer was a prime example of someone who illustrated reggae's generation gap. Many 35-and-over Jamaicans expressed their disdain for his controversial gun talk and wondered why their kids didn't embrace "real" reggae like Desmond Dekker or Jimmy Cliff (just as many African-American baby boomers didn't understand why their kids would choose Ice Cube and Snoop Doggy Dogg over Smokey Robinson). But among younger Jamaicans (as well as post-baby boomers in the U.S. and Europe), he became an icon. Not as consistently hardcore as some of Bounty's previous releases, Next Millennium finds him liberally incorporating urban contemporary elements while continuing to bring a passion for hip-hop to his dancehall reggae foundation. Slick, urban contemporary-flavored tunes like "Reggae Party" (which features Third World and Shaggy), "It's a Party" and "A Love That's Real" are fairly commercial by Bounty's standards, but grittier, more hardcore offerings such as "Scare Dem Way," "Can't Believe Mi Eyes" and "Deadly Zone" (which features Queens rappers Mobb Deep) should dispel any notions that Bounty was trying to become a pop star. A varied and decent CD, Next Millennium allows Bounty to branch out without forgetting his dancehall roots. [The CD was also released with a bonus track.] ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Prince Jammy-produced Ghetto Gramma collection is geared to Bounty Killer's root Jamaican dancehall audience, even though the operatic "My Xperience" had given him a name in U.S. hip-hop circles. That translates to heavy patois, a hard-edged vocal delivery, and minimal drums-and-keyboard-sounds arrangements often lacking usual reggae reference points like bass melodies."Ancient Day Killing" is a more "normal" track with keyboard bass and rhythm skank and occasional horns, but the patois and sheer volume of Bounty's vocal flow make it impossible to tell if it's a cautionary take on the Wild West gunslinger theme. More typical is the impenetrable start to "Convince" -- the lack of a melodic hook reduces the music to beats and sound/noise and leaves you at the mercy of patois limbo. He also serves up an I&I/Jah song ("Fear No Evil"), responds to critics of his persona ("Down Grade Mi Gun," "Income"), and songs with self-explanatory titles ("Smoke the Herb," "Fat and Sexy") and incongruous messages (the macho Bounty admonishing a "Run Around Girl" to "have some self-control"). "'No No No" is a nice change-up with Dawn Penn's singing and sax fills giving a melodic foundation to Bounty's counter-rants. "I'll Be Back" finds him actually singing himself with jabbing horns, and he's really at his best on these combination tracks that provide a melodic or lyric theme for him to play off. The best is the antigun track "This World's Too Haunted" with Junior Reid -- the arrangement sports a strong bass melody, militant horn and keyboard lines, and vocal hooks that swoop upward at the end of each line. Reid is pretty exceptional here and Bounty rises to the occasion to match him. "Time to Realize" with Dirtsman closes Ghetto Gramma on an agreeably light, pure dancehall note, but that's one of the few breaks from a relentless hard edge that gets very wearing. It's revealing that "War Is Not a Nice Thing" and "Mi Heart Beat" have completely opposite themes, but the music is so similar they run together in your mind. Respect to Bounty Killer for continuing to make uncompromising music for his core audience after crossing over, but it's a tough listen for anyone not attuned to dancehall reggae for Jamaican ears. ~ Don Snowden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In the 1990s, Bounty Killer became one of the top figures in dancehall reggae, a form also associated with such Jamaican stars as Lt. Stitchie, Shabba Ranks and Ninjaman. In contrast to the melodic nature of mainstream reggae, My Xperience is an abrasive, rhythmic disc that has little use for melody. Those who aren't big dancehall fans may find the hip-hop-influenced CD hard to get into; those who are heavily into it will find a lot to admire on My Xperience, which contains major dancehall hits like "Living Dangerously" and "Virgin Island." A variety of guests join Bounty -- everyone from the Fugees on "Hip-Hopera" to reggae singer Barrington Levy on "Living Dangerously" to hardcore rapper Jeru the Damaja on "Suicide or Murder." Granted, dancehall has its limitations and can wear thin after awhile, but even so, My Xperience makes for an exhilarating listen. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Face to Face is a showdown of sorts, six tunes showcase Bounty Killer's thick, booming vocals and the other half are dedicated to Beenie Man's equally deep, blasting voice. Recorded years before Beenie Man earned the position of dancehall's most popular DJ, this album illustrates exactly why he has maintained this position. Frequently pitted against each other and rumored to be in constant competition, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man obtained prominence in the early '90s when, like its hip-hop cousin, dancehall was mired in violent, gangsta-glorifying lyrics. Bounty Killer is known for this and every one of his songs contain references to killing, from the wicked riddim and sinister verses of "Not Another Word," to the boastful "Drama," where he talks metaphorically of " killing all over" with his lyrical finesse. On the other hand, not all of Beenie's songs focus on violence. The throbbing rhythm of "Foreign Minded" warns about forgetting cultural roots, while "Part a the Plan" promotes racial pride. Besides greater lyrical ability, Beenie's vocals prove to be more vivid and engaging than Bounty's, thereby winning this musical face-off. ~ Rosalind Cummings-Yeates, All Music Guide
'Roots, Reality and Culture'
Release Date 1/1/1993
Tracks 15
Label VP
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