Bounty Killer, aka Rodney Basil Price, was born 12.06.1972 in the Trenchtown area of downtown Kingston, Jamaica, with his family moving to a next ghetto area of Riverton City (formerly known as Dungle), and finally Seaview Gardens, Kingston, as a young child. One of nine children to his mother "Miss Ivy" and father, owner of a small sound system, Rodney first picked up the mic as a deejay at nine years old.
He nearly lost his life to gun violence at 14, but thankfully fully recovered from the bystander assault and soon began his music career as Bounty Hunter. He joined neighborhood friends Nitty Kutchie and Boom Dandemite in seeking out opportunities in country as well as town, performing for Metromedia and Bodyguard, as well as other local area sound systems. It was during a chance meeting with brother of King Jammy, Uncle T, which would change his career forever.
Bounty's initial recordings were done by Uncle T, after Jammy himself was skeptical due to the violent nature of the tracks. Jammy eventually relented upon witnessing the rising popularity of the deejay.
His first hit record on the sound system circuit was Dub Fi Dub and other recordings with the King Jammys label were compiled into 1993's Jamaica's Most Wanted, later released as Roots, Reality and Culture. By 1993, now known internationally as Bounty Killer, Rodney was quickly becoming regarded as one of the fiercest and most lyrically gifted of the next generation of deejays. Hits such as Coppershot, Lodge, and Spy Fi Die quickly propelled Bounty to an upper-echelon deejay, and sound system dubplate favorite. "Coppershot" was actually a hit in New York before Jamaica, which left Bounty as personally indebted to the American city as much as his native Kingston. 1993 also brought the beginning of a long, on-and-off rivalry with Beenie Man, which culminated in a battle at Sting 1993, extended through the mid-90s and flared up again in the latter half of the following decade.
Bounty won the war at Sting 1993 and his legacy as dancehall superstar was cemented as a result. The mid-1990s brought hit after hit, such as Cellular Phone, Not Another Word, and Mama. The heated war-of-words with Beenie Man gave the world many popular tunes from each side, including Ask Fi War, Suspense, and War Beyond The Stars.
The mid-90s era culminated in the release of My Xperience in 1996. The most comercially successful album of Bounty's career, and widely considered one of the best dancehall albums of the decade, it mixed popular dancehall tracks, such as Living Dangerously featuring Barrington Levy and Fed Up, with hip-hop crossover duets featuring Jeru The Damaja, Raekwon and, most popularly, The Fugees.
The decade closed out with two more albums, Next Millenium, which featued more hip-hop guest combinations, and 5th Element, which returned to a more hardcore-dancehall style.
By the year 2000, Bounty Killer, along with Capleton, was still considered the top deejay in the business, particularly with the waning popularity (at the time) of Beenie Man, and refocused career path of Buju Banton. This was due as much to being the most in-demand artist for dubplate recordings by sound systems as to actual studio material.
In 2001, he was featured with No Doubt on their international hit Hey Baby, and appeared with the band for a pre-game performance at the 2002 NFL Super Bowl.
In 2002, Bounty released his most ambitious project since My Xperience, a double CD (released seperately), titled Ghetto Dictionary: The Mystery and Ghetto Dictionary: The Art of War. While not nearly the commercial success of My Xperience, underground sales were strong, and it featured the smash dancehall hit Sufferah.
Since the Ghetto Dictionary project, Bounty Killer's influence has mostly been behind-the-scenes, working with young talent and bringing new dancehall reggae stars to the forefront. He has been credited with bolstering the careers of, among others, Elephant Man, Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall, Baby Cham, and Vybz Kartel.
He currently oversees a stable of artists known alternately as The Alliance and Gully, which includes Mavado and Aidonia.
Dem Ting Deh
Bounty Killer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cross, angry, miserable, huh
It's Warlord di five star general, alongside Assassin (Yah mon)
What a pretty clinic they trappin
You know we be smokin dem fools be crashin (Yah hear dat)
Aiyyo yallo! Red Square di money we be cashin
Aiyyo yallo! (It's anotha!)
It's Warlord and di Assassinator, waddup wid dem perpertrator dem discipilator
(Chorus:)
(Bounty Killer:)
Gangsta life we use to dem ting deh
Dem just a yuh tink dem use to dem ting deh
(Assassin:)
Shotta ting! We nuh new to dem ting deh
But some bwoy nah have a clue to dem ting deh
(Bounty Killer:)
Lyrics, mi sell cd wid dem ting deh
Whips have DVD to dem ting deh
(Assassin:)
Some fish, wey outta ting wid dem ting deh
Nuh bwoy caan come to we wid dem ting deh
(Verse 1: Assassin)
Why dem a tek up we put dung dem ting deh
We nah fi run dung dem ting deh
How will yuh maintainn (? ) dem ting deh
Yuh should a know seh seh we run dem ting deh
(Verse 2: Bounty Killer)
Bredrin stop use yuh (? ) dem ting deh nuh right
So we fire bun dem ting deh
Bruk off gal wey too young dem ting deh a shut
Mi beg oonu now fi dun dem ting deh
(Verse 3: Asaassin)
Yeah! We nuh tek caan co sign dem ting deh
If yuh disrespect we find dem ting deh
Hypocrite badmind dem ting deh
We have dem so we just bun dem ting deh
Verse 4: Bounty Killer
Jacket yuh mad we nhuh mind dem ting deh
Gal counting a weh a join dem ting deh
A minimum we go move dem ting deh
A (? ) dem ting deh
(Chorus:)
(Bounty Killer:)
Gangsta life we use to dem ting deh
Dem just a yuh tink dem use to dem ting deh
(Assassin:)
Shotta ting! We nuh new to dem ting deh
But some bwoy nah have a clue to dem ting deh
(Bounty Killer:)
Lyrics, mi sell cd wid dem ting deh
Whips have DVD to dem ting deh
(Assassin:)
Some fish, wey outta ting wid dem ting deh
Nuh bwoy caan come to we wid dem ting deh
(Verse 5: Bounty Killer)
Hyf=grade we promote dem ting deh
Government fi support dem ting deh
But if a crack and coke dem ting deh
Crazy beatin if yuh smoke dem ting deh
(Verse 6: Assassin)
Killa! GB dem know dem ting deh
A serious ting, yuh wanna dro dem ting deh
Some weed, right yuh 'pose to smoke dem ting deh
Informa love report dem ting deh
(Verse 7: Bounty Killer)
Screwface we nuh fear dem ting deh. oonu hear dem ting deh
Purse, nuh mek sense yuh wear dem ting deh
Seh, gunshot we fire we a tear dem ting deh
(Verse 8: Assassin)
Yo! Obeah we nah go wear dem ting deh
Yuh mad! Shake out and tear dem ting deh
Benz and bima we a steer dem ting deh
Girls all wild and brazierre dem ting deh
(Chorus:)
(Bounty Killer:)
Gangsta life we use to dem ting deh
Dem just a yuh tink dem use to dem ting deh
(Assassin:)
Shotta ting! We nuh new to dem ting deh
But some bwoy nah have a clue to dem ting deh
(Bounty Killer:)
Lyrics, mi sell cd wid dem ting deh
Whips have DVD to dem ting deh
(Assassin:)
Some fish, wey outta ting wid dem ting deh
Nuh bwoy caan come to we wid dem ting deh
(Verse 1)
(Chorus: until end)
In "Dem Ting Deh," Bounty Killer and Assassin rap about their experiences with "dem ting deh," or various aspects of gangsta culture. They assert that they are not new to this lifestyle and condemn those who try to emulate or co-opt it. This idea is reinforced in the chorus, where they assert that "some bwoy nah have a clue to dem ting deh."
The verses are filled with patois and dancehall slang, and the meaning of the lyrics is sometimes ambiguous. For example, Assassin says "Yuh should a know seh seh we run dem ting deh," which can be interpreted as them being in control of the "ting deh," or as them running away from it. Similarly, in verse 2, Bounty Killer says that they need to "Bruk off gal wey too young dem ting deh a shut," which could be interpreted as either a condemnation of pedophilia or as bragging about sexual conquests.
Overall, "Dem Ting Deh" expresses a disdain for those who appropriate the language and style of the dancehall culture without truly living it. It also emphasizes the importance of authenticity and staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Cross, angry, miserable, huh
Bounty Killer is feeling frustrated and annoyed, likely because of the issues he's about to address in the song.
What a pretty clinic they trappin
Bounty Killer is making a sarcastic comment about the establishment where people can go to get drugs or medical attention.
You know we be smokin dem fools be crashin
When Bounty Killer and his crew smoke weed, they're able to handle it and have a good time, but others who attempt to do the same might not have as much success.
Aiyyo yallo! Red Square di money we be cashin
Bounty Killer and his crew are making a lot of money and are proud to show it off.
It's Warlord and di Assassinator, waddup wid dem perpertrator dem discipilator
Bounty Killer and his collaborator, Assassin, are announcing themselves and questioning the motives of those who might try to stop them.
Gangsta life we use to dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is referring to a life of violence and crime, and how he's accustomed to it.
Dem just a yuh tink dem use to dem ting deh
People who think they're used to the gangster lifestyle may not actually be as tough or experienced as they think they are.
Shotta ting! We nuh new to dem ting deh
Assassin is talking about being familiar with weapons and violent activities, and that they're not new to it.
But some bwoy nah have a clue to dem ting deh
Some people might not understand or be able to handle the things that come with the shotta lifestyle.
Lyrics, mi sell cd wid dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is talking about selling music that's full of references to the gangster lifestyle and the violence that comes with it.
Whips have DVD to dem ting deh
Bounty Killer has cars that are equipped with DVD players, so he can watch footage of the things he's done or the people he's confronted.
Some fish, wey outta ting wid dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that some people are in over their heads when it comes to the gangster lifestyle and are not ready for it.
Nuh bwoy caan come to we wid dem ting deh
Nobody can confront or challenge Bounty Killer and his crew with anything related to the gangster lifestyle because they're too skilled and experienced.
Why dem a tek up we put dung dem ting deh
Assassin is wondering why people are trying to start drama or get involved with them, knowing how dangerous they can be.
We nah fi run dung dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is saying that they won't back down from anything related to the gangster lifestyle, and they'll stand their ground.
How will yuh maintainn (? ) dem ting deh
Assassin is questioning how someone could maintain a life of violence and crime, knowing the risks and dangers involved.
Yuh should a know seh seh we run dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is reminding people that he and his crew are in control of everything related to the gangster lifestyle.
Bredrin stop use yuh (? ) dem ting deh nuh right
Bounty Killer is telling his friend to stop using a certain tactic or method of violence because it's not the right way to go about things.
So we fire bun dem ting deh
If someone is doing something wrong or dangerous, Bounty Killer and his crew will take action and stop them.
Bruk off gal wey too young dem ting deh a shut
Bounty Killer is speaking out against people who engage in relationships with minors and saying that it's not acceptable.
Mi beg oonu now fi dun dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is urging others to stop engaging in illegal or dangerous activities related to the gangster lifestyle.
Yeah! We nuh tek caan co sign dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that they won't support or condone anything related to the gangster lifestyle that they don't agree with.
If yuh disrespect we find dem ting deh
If someone disrespects Bounty Killer or his crew, they'll deal with them using the tactics and methods of the gangster lifestyle.
Hypocrite badmind dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that people who are hypocritical or envious will often try to cause problems or get involved with the gangster lifestyle.
We have dem so we just bun dem ting deh
If someone is using hypocrisy, envy, or other negative tactics, Bounty Killer and his crew will confront them and bring them down.
Jacket yuh mad we nhuh mind dem ting deh
Bounty Killer and his crew don't care about people who are acting crazy or foolish, and they won't be bothered by them.
Gal counting a weh a join dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is saying that women are often attracted to the gangster lifestyle, and they'll follow those who are powerful and dangerous.
A minimum we go move dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is saying that they'll take action to control or handle anything related to the gangster lifestyle, even if it's a small or minor issue.
A (? ) dem ting deh
The lyrics for this line were unclear.
Hyf=grade we promote dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is saying that they're promoting the gangster lifestyle and encouraging others to engage in it, but in a responsible and controlled manner.
Government fi support dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is suggesting that the government should provide more support or infrastructure for those interested in the gangster lifestyle, so that they can engage with it safely and legally.
But if a crack and coke dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is saying that if someone is using hard drugs like crack or cocaine, they won't be welcomed into the gangster lifestyle.
Crazy beatin if yuh smoke dem ting deh
Bounty Killer and his crew will use violence against those who use heavy drugs or narcotics.
GB dem know dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that the police and authorities are aware of the gangster lifestyle and the people involved in it.
A serious ting, yuh wanna dro dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that the gangster lifestyle is serious and shouldn't be taken lightly, and anyone who tries to get involved should be prepared for the consequences.
Some weed, right yuh 'pose to smoke dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that marijuana is a common and accepted part of the gangster lifestyle, and it's something that you're supposed to enjoy or smoke regularly.
Informa love report dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that people who act as informants or tattletales will often report on the activities of the gangster lifestyle without really knowing what's going on.
Screwface we nuh fear dem ting deh. oonu hear dem ting deh
Bounty Killer and his crew aren't afraid of those who might try to challenge them or cause problems, and they're not afraid to speak out and confront things when necessary.
Purse, nuh mek sense yuh wear dem ting deh
Bounty Killer is saying that purses or bags don't make sense to wear or carry in the gangster lifestyle, and they're not practical or useful.
Seh, gunshot we fire we a tear dem ting deh
Bounty Killer and his crew will use guns and other weapons to enforce their will or deal with those who oppose them.
Yo! Obeah we nah go wear dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that they're not going to use any kind of magic or supernatural powers to help them in the gangster lifestyle, and it's something that they're opposed to.
Yuh mad! Shake out and tear dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that the gangster lifestyle is something that you have to confront head-on and be aggressive about, and that you can't be scared or hesitant.
Benz and bima we a steer dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that driving luxurious or expensive cars is a common part of the gangster lifestyle, and they're experts at it.
Girls all wild and brazierre dem ting deh
Assassin is saying that women who are involved in the gangster lifestyle are often wild and uninhibited, and they're looking for a good time.
Contributed by Aubrey E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.