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.
Fedup
Bounty Killer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well this one reaching out to all the leaders, and the media,
Well this is Rodney Price aka Bounty Kiler,
The leader for Poor People Government
[Chorus]
Well poor people fed up to how yuh system sheg up
Yuh issue gun fi wi pickney bus
Well everyday the ghetto youths dead up
[Verse 1]
Mi ask the leader
Him a di arranger
Fi mek poor people surround by danger
Fly an the roach an giant mosquita
Sewage water whey fill wid pure bacteria
Unno ever tak a look dung inna di Riverton area
Bactu, and Seaview, Waterhouse, Kentire
Long time the MP him nuh come near yah,
And the nedda one whey claims sey she a counselor
Rob senventy five percent and gi wi quarter
Conquer the land nuh waan fi gi wi a acre
Disconnect mi light an chop off mi water
To the Kings of Kings, well mi know them shall answer
The Lords of Lords well a him a wi sponsor
The lion from Judah dem well waan conquer
The eagle an the bear and the Queen an all daughter
Haile Selassie I mi know the whole a dem after
But them a go guh dung inna flames and water
See Selassie I nuh tek fi fun or laughter
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
Some lost dem roots and figot dem culture
Nuh study the past, dem nuh know the future
Some nuh tek telling, so dem end up so vulgar
Dem don't know Selassie I from Ethiopia
Serious as mi born, nuh tek mi for any joker
Dat same man mek mi hol dem note yah
Mi nuh play dem casino, mi nuh play dem poker
Dem plan fi destroy wi wid the coke an drugs yah
Nuff gravalicious like a damn baracoota
Plan to lick Ronnie Thwaites off a di piece a scooter
Yuh think dem like to see wi inna dem hot car ya
Wid dem hot gal yah a sing dem song ya
Dem song yah stronger than them vial and obeah
Mi a go heng Pope Paul wid da piece a rope ya
Jus' because...
[Chorus]
The song "Fedup" by Bounty Killer is a powerful message to the leaders and media who have neglected and betrayed the poor people of Jamaica. The song begins with an introduction by Rodney Price aka Bounty Kiler, who is referred to as the "leader for poor people government". The chorus speaks about the anger and frustration of the poor people towards the government system that has failed to protect them. The people are tired of the violence, the lack of resources and the disconnection from their roots and culture. The verse questions the leaders and their actions that have put the poor people in danger. The song mentions the poor living conditions, the sewage water filled with bacteria, and the neglect by the leaders. Despite the poor people being in dire need, the leaders have robbed them and given them only a quarter of what they rightfully deserve while also disconnecting their lights and water supply. The verse concludes with a hopeful message that the Lord will answer their prayers and take care of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Well this one reaching out to all the leaders, and the media,
Addressing all leaders and media to share an important message.
The leader for Poor People Government
Bounty Killer is a leader fighting for the rights of the impoverished.
Well poor people fed up to how yuh system sheg up
The system has wronged the poor who are now outraged.
Yuh issue gun fi wi pickney bus
Weapons are being distributed to children through the system.
Well everyday the ghetto youths dead up
Every day young people die in the ghetto due to the unjust system.
Mi ask the leader
Asking the leader of the country for answers.
Him a di arranger
The leader is responsible for organizing the country.
Fi mek poor people surround by danger
The system puts the poor in danger.
Fly an the roach an giant mosquito
Poor communities suffer from unsanitary conditions.
Sewage water whey fill wid pure bacteria
Sewage water is contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Unno ever tak a look dung inna di Riverton area
Have you ever seen how bad it is in the Riverton area?
Bactu, and Seaview, Waterhouse, Kentire
Names of other poor communities.
Long time the MP him nuh come near yah,
The MP hasn't visited these communities in a long time.
And the nedda one whey claims sey she a counselor
Another politician who claims to care but hasn't taken action.
Rob s seventy-five percent and gi wi quarter
Corrupt politicians steal from the poor and give them only a small portion.
Conquer the land nuh waan fi gi wi a acre
Those in power refuse to share the land with the poor.
Disconnect mi light an chop off mi water
The system cuts off electricity and water to poor communities.
To the Kings of Kings, well mi know them shall answer
Referring to a higher power to hold the leaders accountable.
The Lords of Lords well a him a wi sponsor
Another reference to a higher power supporting them in their struggle.
The lion from Judah dem well waan conquer
They want to win their struggle like a lion conquering its prey.
The eagle an the bear and the Queen an all daughter
Referring to powerful countries and entities that contribute to their struggle.
Haile Selassie I mi know the whole a dem after
Referring to their belief that Haile Selassie I is on their side in their struggle.
But them a go guh dung inna flames and water
Believing those who oppose them will face consequences.
See Selassie I nuh tek fi fun or laughter
Haile Selassie I should not be taken lightly.
Some lost dem roots and figot dem culture
Some have forgotten their cultural roots.
Nuh study the past, dem nuh know the future
Not learning from the past leads to an uncertain future.
Some nuh tek telling, so dem end up so vulgar
Some don't listen and end up behaving badly.
Dem don't know Selassie I from Ethiopia
Some are not aware of the relevance of Haile Selassie I's Ethiopian roots.
Serious as mi born, nuh tek mi for any joker
Serious in his intentions, not to be underestimated.
Dat same man mek mi hol dem note yah
The same person who doubts him also owes him money.
Mi nuh play dem casino, mi nuh play dem poker
He won't be manipulated by those in power.
Dem plan fi destroy wi wid the coke an drugs yah
The system intends to harm the poor with drugs.
Nuff gravalicious like a damn baracoota
Many are greedy and selfish like barracudas.
Plan to lick Ronnie Thwaites off a di piece a scooter
The system is targeting politicians like Ronnie Thwaites who advocate for the poor.
Yuh think dem like to see wi inna dem hot car ya
The system is not happy to see the poor succeed.
Wid dem hot gal yah a sing dem song ya
Referring to the distractions that the system uses to keep the poor from demanding change.
Dem song yah stronger than them vial and obeah
The distractions used by the system are effective and powerful.
Mi a go heng Pope Paul wid da piece a rope ya
Still, he believes that the corrupt will eventually be held accountable, even the Pope.
Jus' because...
No particular reason given for the statement regarding hanging the Pope.
Chorus
Reiteration of the poor people's outrage with the system.
Lyrics © Roba Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: SLY DUNBAR, RODNEY (PKA "BOUNTY KILLER" PRICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ThePervertDJ
still a banger after all these years. it's just as valid now as it's ever been too.
@rudeboymendo
No doubt
@tilwondafowler619
More than 2 decades (20 plus years) later and this song is more relevant today than it was yesterday! We as a people thought we had massive problems early to mid 90's when this song surfaced, but look around today..... The saga continues and it is negatively progressing at a accelerated pace. I respect artists such as Bounty Kills who do NOT hide behind the music, but SPITS PURE FIRE in the tunes! Wake up people!
@TonyBrown4Ever
Tilwonda Fowler now add look into my eyes, another level wid Baby Cham and we see the real threat and mess
@ducunu
Every verse, every line and every word xlcarries a very strong message and is relevant today than ever....bless the killa
@akilyasin3483
Tilwonda Fowler
@Sunshine-uo7cg
That's why he's the 5***general... Love you killa, he's my (10***)general
@andy60460
Well said!!
@kingjdooley8400
The anthem of the streets of minneapolis
@khemetbey803
this tune is still deadly...Bounty is still lyrically dangerous