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.
Higher Altitude
Bounty Killer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sittin' on a cloud
Corleone, Baby G an Kartel (yo)
Higher than before
Knock-knock-knockin' on Heaven's door (smokin' on cannabis, that's right)
Babylon knock out if dem get one a this (okay)
Hey, me nuh know about you (yeah, yeah, Lawd a mercy)
But me know 'bout me (tell me, nuh?)
When I smoke, I get so high (high altitude)
It makes me feel like I wanna fly (smoke out, christly)
Can you look and see the red in my eyes?
In my eyes, my eyes
Hey, where di weed? (Mek me build it)
Spliff tea (me a kill it)
Inna blunt (me a fill it)
Inna roll (dis philly)
Me have blend (inna mi pocket)
Rizzla (inna mi jacket)
Spliff big like a rocket inna Mr. Nasa bracket
Light and attack it when a Bush inna Iraq-et
I'm higher than di attic and a shot like a 'Matic
Police me nah drop it inna rubbish, inna trash it
A foot bottom mash it, world war is a topic
A nuh Dada, a nuh Wayne, a nuh Richie, a nuh Prophet
But a same so me love chronic just have profit
Big man, mek me stop it, di weed bus happy
Tek money, cop it, champagne me a pop it
Don have internet, mek me laptop it
Flight inna plane, Portmore me a drop it
Bling Dawg have a straight vehicle fi drop top it
Inna ship me a dock it, God alone can stop me
(Smoke out) you see me
When I smoke, I get so high (smoke like a muffler)
It makes me feel like I wanna fly (all hustler)
Can you look and see the red in my eyes? (All smoker)
In my eyes, my eyes
Hey, weed inna rizzla and inna philly blunts
Mek mi head happy and a do di Willie Bounce
Wonda if mi fi cool fi couple months
Your mada, you no have lock jaw neither mumps
My spliff taller than Bin Laden guns
My spliff bigger than one dozen kettle drums
A regular me bounce to the bank fi the funds
Fi go buy ganja fi reach e lungs, fi mi lungs
Me nah go tek no drugs (no), a so come
Mi weed haffi bad like inna city slums
Di scent have Christian speaking in tongues
And a say we a go fall like Jericho column
Dem a style weed man as idlers and bum
'Bout we fi kill man fi all weed growers
Bounty will shot dem one million mega hones
When dem see the unity weed man a bounce
Cross
When I smoke, I get so high (smoke out, yo)
It makes me feel like I wanna fly (smoking proud, cannabis)
Can you look and see the red in my eyes? (Sitting next to a cloud)
In my eyes, my eyes (ganja)
Yo, you know it's Don Corleone (cross, angry)
5 Star General, Baby G (right here, smoke out)
Di Vybz to di Kartel (high altitude)
Me nuh know about you (it nice 'til you wan' sell)
But me know 'bout me (tell me, nuh?)
When I smoke, I get so high (high altitude)
It makes me feel like I wanna fly (smoke out, christly)
Can you look and see the red in my eyes?
In my eyes, my eyes
Hey, where di weed? (Mek me build it)
Spliff tea (me a kill it)
Inna blunt (me a fill it)
Inna roll (dis philly)
Me have blend (inna mi pocket)
Rizzla (inna mi jacket)
Spliff big like a rocket inna Mr. Nasa bracket
Light and attack it when a Bush inna Iraq-et
I'm higher than di attic and a shot like a 'Matic
Police me nah drop it inna rubbish, inna trash it
A foot bottom mash it, world war is a topic
A nuh Dada, a nuh Wayne, a nuh Richie, a nuh Prophet
But a same so me love chronic just have profit
Big man, mek me stop it, di weed bus happy
Tek money, cop it, champagne me a pop it
Don have internet, mek me laptop it
Flight inna plane, Portmore me a drop it
Bling Dawg have a straight vehicle fi drop top it
Inna ship me a dock it, God alone can stop me
(Smoke out) you see me
When I smoke, I get so high (smoke like a muffler)
It makes me feel like I wanna fly (all hustler)
Can you look and see the red in my eyes? (All smoker)
In my eyes, my eyes
The lyrics of Bounty Killer's song "Higher Altitude" revolve around the theme of smoking marijuana and the elevated state of mind it brings. The song begins by describing the feeling of being high and sitting on a cloud. Bounty Killer references fellow artists Corleone, Baby G, and Kartel to highlight their shared love for getting high. He also mentions knocking on Heaven's door, implying that being high takes him closer to a spiritual realm.
Bounty Killer discusses his personal experience with smoking and how it makes him feel like he wants to fly. He references the redness in his eyes as a physical manifestation of his heightened state of consciousness. The lyrics shift to discussing the act of rolling and smoking joints and the various tools used for it. He describes the size of the spliff as being like a rocket in Mr. Nasa's bracket, highlighting the potency of the marijuana he's smoking.
The song also touches on societal judgment and stereotypes surrounding marijuana use. Bounty Killer addresses critics who label weed smokers as idle or lazy, asserting that he loves smoking marijuana and finds it profitable. He emphasizes his choice to stay away from other drugs and declares his dedication to the herb.
Overall, "Higher Altitude" by Bounty Killer celebrates the euphoria and freedom associated with smoking marijuana while also addressing the misconceptions and stigmas attached to it.
Line by Line Meaning
High altitude, smokin' proud (smoke)
Feeling elevated and proud while smoking cannabis
Sittin' on a cloud
Feeling a sense of bliss or relaxation
Corleone, Baby G an Kartel (yo)
Referring to prominent figures in the music industry
Higher than before
Feeling even more elevated than previous experiences
Knock-knock-knockin' on Heaven's door (smokin' on cannabis, that's right)
Using cannabis to achieve a heightened state of mind
Babylon knock out if dem get one a this (okay)
Authorities would be overwhelmed if they experienced the same effects
Hey, me nuh know about you (yeah, yeah, Lawd a mercy)
Not sure about others, but personally
But me know 'bout me (tell me, nuh?)
Having self-awareness and understanding of oneself
When I smoke, I get so high (high altitude)
Achieving a euphoric and elevated state through smoking
It makes me feel like I wanna fly (smoke out, christly)
Creating a sensation of wanting to soar and feeling spiritually connected
Can you look and see the red in my eyes?
Asking if others can perceive the physical effects of cannabis
In my eyes, my eyes
Referring to the noticeable redness in the artist's eyes
Hey, where di weed? (Mek me build it)
Inquiring about the whereabouts of cannabis
Spliff tea (me a kill it)
Rolling cannabis into a spliff
Inna blunt (me a fill it)
Filling a blunt with cannabis
Inna roll (dis philly)
Rolling a marijuana joint
Me have blend (inna mi pocket)
Having cannabis ready to smoke
Rizzla (inna mi jacket)
Having rolling papers ready to use
Spliff big like a rocket inna Mr. Nasa bracket
Referring to a large cannabis joint and its potent effects
Light and attack it when a Bush inna Iraq-et
Lighting and enjoying cannabis like it's a powerful weapon
I'm higher than di attic and a shot like a 'Matic
Feeling elevated and energized, like being on a higher level
Police me nah drop it inna rubbish, inna trash it
Avoiding getting caught by the police and disposing of any suspicion
A foot bottom mash it, world war is a topic
Trampling any negativity and focusing on the enjoyment of cannabis
A nuh Dada, a nuh Wayne, a nuh Richie, a nuh Prophet
Not comparing oneself to others or legendary figures in the industry
But a same so me love chronic just have profit
Expressing a deep affinity for cannabis and how it brings happiness
Big man, mek me stop it, di weed bus happy
Reflecting on how cannabis brings joy and happiness
Tek money, cop it, champagne me a pop it
Indulging in luxury and celebrating success with champagne
Don have internet, mek me laptop it
Not concerned with online activities, just focused on smoking
Flight inna plane, Portmore me a drop it
Traveling with cannabis, specifically to Portmore
Bling Dawg have a straight vehicle fi drop top it
Referring to someone with a fancy car suitable for cruising and smoking
Inna ship me a dock it, God alone can stop me
Feeling invincible and unstoppable, except by a higher power
When I smoke, I get so high (smoke like a muffler)
Experiencing extreme elevation and intoxication from smoking
It makes me feel like I wanna fly (all hustler)
Feeling a strong desire to achieve greatness and success
Can you look and see the red in my eyes? (All smoker)
Seeking validation and asking if others notice the physical effects
In my eyes, my eyes
Referring again to the redness and distinct appearance of the eyes
Yo, you know it's Don Corleone (cross, angry)
Identifying himself as a powerful figure
5 Star General, Baby G (right here, smoke out)
Establishing authority and presence in the music industry
Di Vybz to di Kartel (high altitude)
Referring to the popular music artists and the elevated state of mind
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Adidja Azim Palmer, Donovan Keith Bennett, Rodney Basil Price, Trevor Washington James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Naipaul66
[Intro: Bounty Killer & (Vybz Kartel)]
High altitude, smokin proud, sittin on a cloud
(Corleone, Baby G an Kartel, higher dan before)
(Knock knock knockin on heaven's door)
Thats right, Babylon nah nuh coke out if dem get one a this
(Hey, mi nuh know bout yuh) Lawd a mercy
(But mi know bout mi)
[Chorus: (Baby G)]
When I smoke, I get so high (High Altitude)
It makes mi feel like I wanna fly {Christly}
When yuh look and see the red in my eyes
In my eyes, my eyes
[Verse 1: Vybz Kartel & (Bounty Killer)]
Hey, weh di weed (Mek mi billy)
Spliff tea (Mi a killy)
Inna blunt (Mi a filly)
Inna roll (Dis philly)
Mi have blend (Inna mi pocket)
Rizzla (Inna mi jacket)
Spliff big like a rocket inna Mr. NASA bracket
(Lighta nuh tack it weh mi push inna di racket)
An higher dan di attic a nuh shot like a matic
(Police mi nah drop it inna rubbish inna trash it a foot a time mash it world war is a tappy)
A nuh Dada a nuh Wayne a nuh Richie a nuh Prophet
(But a same so mi love chronic dont stop draffy)
Big man weh mi stoppin (Di weed bus happy)
(Tek money cop it champagne me a pop it)
Don have internet mek mi laptop it
(Flight inna plane Portmore mi a drop in)
Bling Dawg have a straight vehicle fi drop top it, inna sheet mi a lack it God alone cyan stop mi
(Smoke out)
Yuh see mi
[Chorus: (Baby G)]
When I smoke, I get so high (Smoke like a muffler)
It makes mi feel like I wanna fly {All hustler}
Can yuh look an see the red in my eyes
In my eyes, my eyes
[Verse 2: Vybz Kartel & (Bounty Killer)]
Hey, weed inna rizzla an inna philly blunts
Mek mi head happy an a do di Willie Bounce
Wonda if mi fi cool fi couple months
(Yuh modda yuh nuh have lock jaw inna yuh mumphs)
(My spliff taller than Bin Ladin guns)
My spliff bigga than one dozen kette drums
(A regula mi bounce to di bank fi di funds fi go buy ganja fi mek it love fi mi lungs)
Mi nah guh tek nuh drugs, a suh come
Mi weed haffi bad like inna city slums
(Di center have Christian Jerico column
(Dem a style weed man as idlers an bum)
Bout wi fi kill man fi all weed growers
(Bounty wi shot dem one million mega hones when dem see di unity weed man a bounce, cross)
[Chorus: (Baby G)]
When I smoke, I get so high (High Altitude)
It makes mi feel like I wanna fly {Christly}
Can yuh look an see the red in my eyes
In my eyes, my eyes
[Interlude: Bounty Killer & (Vybz Kartel)]
Yo, yuh know its Don Corleone, 5 Star General, Baby G
Di Vybz to di Kartel, High Altitude
(Mi nuh know bout yuh, but mi know bout mi)
[Chorus: (Baby G)]
When I smoke, I get so high (High Altitude)
It makes mi feel like I wanna fly {Christly}
Can yuh look and see the red in my eyes
In my eyes, my eyes
@othelliusmaximus
Its crazy to think that today's kids will never know this era of Vybz Kartel
@raiigaza
So fucked up .... The Baddest Artist Of Any Era Of Any Time .....
@fullygazacampbell9568
Facts
@itsmegavi3599
I'm 14 and I know this word for word because my mom play these longtime dancehall music almost everyday.
@ShareTheSecret
Teach dem
@therealanalyst2019
they out here comparing kartel with alkaline 🤣😂
@veejones1545
Kids these days will still know that Vybz Kartel is DANCEHALL 👑 KING
@trackuniverse9121
King fu unda yuh breve 😂
@veejones1545
@@trackuniverse9121 you have no idea.
@imrhannephew1892
Easily.