Bounty Killer Shares His Dancehall Family Tree, Says This Mavado Protégé Will Always Be An ‘Iron Balloon’
Ten years after Dancehall vet Bounty Killer crushed a mutinous lyrical attack from Gullyside artist Chase Cross, the Warlord appears to be delighting in the fact that the wayward artist remains what he describes as an ‘iron balloon’. A 2011 incident with Chase had helped in a large way to trigger the disintegration of the relationship between Bounty and Mavado.
On Monday, Bounty, who seems to be still seething that incident, mocked Chase after some of his followers said the Gully Gad had given him a ‘musical buss’.
The followers’ comments had come after Bounty reposted his ‘Dancehall Family Tree’, which was originally created by The Hive Ja.
The graphic featured Bounty as the grand patriarch of Dancehall with his offsprings (protégés) being Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Aidonia, Elephant Man, Wayne Marshall, Bling Dawg, and Busy Signal, the latter three of which he recently labelled as the only “pure” ones from his Alliance collective.
Of the sons, only two, Vybz Kartel and Aidonia were listed as giving him ‘grandchildren’, meaning younger artists whom they themselves had mentored.
Kartel was listed as being responsible for the rise of Tommy Lee Sparta, Popcaan, Blak Ryno, Gaza Slim, Jah Vinci, and Shawn Storm, whilst Aidonia was listed as the mentor for Dancehall star Govana.
Bounty’s ‘great-grandchildren’ which were ‘fathered’ by Popcaan, were listed as Quada, producer Dane Ray and Dre Island.
When one follower, cavashi_clothesandstye, asked: “So what happen to Flex and Chase?” it was the catalyst for Bounty and his followers to have a field day at the expense of Chase Cross, who incidentally, was voted as the Iron Balloon of the Year in the Jamaica Star tabloid’s Viewer’s Choice awards in 2013.
“Waste Crosses did not and will never Buss,” Bounty declared before adding a thumbs down icon, mirroring the sentiments of The Star which had in 2013, mocked Chase as having “outclassed other nominees” such as K-Queens, Dosa Medicine and Bridgez to secure the ‘iron balloon’ title.
“Despite being in the industry for some time, ‘rap-singing’ in an American accent, being part of Mavado’s Gully Squad and dissing Bounty Killer in a song, Chase Cross is yet to get his big break,” The Star had written of the artiste.
Chase Cross was at the epicenter when Bounty Killer and Mavado’s friendship became strained, after he released a diss song aimed at the Warlord in August 2011. Bounty was displeased that Mavado failed to scold Cross and the two severed ties as a result.
Chase’s song titled Kill the Link was voiced following a shooting incident which occurred during Bounty’s birthday party at the Quad nightclub in New Kingston in 2011, where a member of Mavado’s entourage was killed by the police. Mavado was reportedly dissatisfied with the Living Dangerously artist’s response following the incident, which led to a drastic change in the relationship between them.
Following the release of Kill The Link, an irate Bounty had responded with the counteraction Waste Crosses on the Death and Funeral riddim, a lyrical onslaught that seemingly left Chase dumbstruck.
As the discussions raged on IG about who apart from the Killer had contributed to the growth of Dancehall, his fans continued to jeer other artists who they claimed had made no impact in terms of helping to elevate other upcoming colleagues in the Dancehall space.
“Donia better than vado him buss someone,” nicholasangel8 wrote, while contagiousdartiste declared: “Vybz and didi alone give d man grandkids the rest a waste man.”
When mrstriveforgreatness473 noted that Mavado had given his protégé Flexx his big break, Bounty countered: “Flexxx Buss b4 Vado he just didn’t make it to the top”.
Bounty and his family tree were hailed by some of his Dancehall compatriots including Spice, as well as Quada who posted: “Generations of greatness”.
His fans also called upon the Government of Jamaica to honor Bounty for his contribution to Dancehall.
“Yeah man this man has done so much for dancehall and Jamaica I think we should celebrate him now while he is alive #livinglegend @grunggaadzilla,” fendi_boss_ said.
“This a just a 17 leafs the tree Bigga than that. Mi ago see how long it ago tek the country leaders to honor BOUNTY KILLA! Mr Andrew and Ms babsy don’t let the next heroes day pass and me don’t see O.D beside Mr Pryce name,” maurice_star43 stated.
Another fan, aiconrecords, hailed the 48-year-old for the impact he had made on the livelihoods of people across the music industry.
“Anuh now mi General a give ghetto ppl pickney opportunities in life dat dem can help their family. And if we fi digg more deeper Bounty help way whole heap more ppl dan just dis family tree ya if we to digg deeper. Selector, producer, show promoter and even bands. Di universe sent u here on earth for a real reason fam. God bless mommy Ivy & Ur dad for such a wonderful soul. U Forever bless,” he noted.