Bounty Killer Shares Why He Avoided Merciless’ Funeral

Bounty Killer says he avoided Merciless‘ funeral because people were “celebrating” the deejay’s victory over him and Beenie Man at Sting, instead of celebrating his life.

On Tuesday morning, Killer brushed aside talk by disgruntled Dancehall fans that he and Beenie Man had “dissed the programme by being” noticeably absent from the funeral, which took place on Saturday in Clarendon.

The Coppershot artist made the reason for his absence clear, after he was tagged in one fan’s comment, which read: “I was expecting @1unogeneral (Bounty Killer) and @kingbeenieman to show up and represent.”

According to Bounty, he shied away from participating in the funeral activities which appeared not to be about paying respects to, and celebrating the life of Leonard Bartley, but was concentrated largely on gloating about how the Gal Dem Gizzada decimated the combined trio of himself, Beenie Man and Ninjaman at Sting 2000.

“Showed up when they are there celebrating Leonard victory over us at sting instead of his life?  Did unuh all saw the f-cking grade of disrespect displayed there?  Then unuh all was looking for us to come share our sympathy at the time.  Unuh fava rat pi– soup🤣😂😅,” the feisty Bounty stated.

A mural—depicting Merciless’ Sting 2000 victory against the trio—was painted onto the wall at the gravesite.

The clash, which is one of the most talked-about in Dancehall history, and which has been declared the most iconic by Sting promoter Isiah Laing, had turned Merciless’ three rivals into the laughing stock of the nation following the Boxing Day stage show.

During the lyrical battle, Merciless, clad in full military combat gear, brushed aside Ninja Man, then ordered Laing to summon Bounty Killer whom he demolished, before swatting away Beenie Man, as he extemporized his way to victory.

Following Merciless’ funeral, Dancehall selector Tony Matterhorn had condemned members of the Dancehall fraternity for not turning out in their numbers to pay their last respects.  

Only Spragga Benz, Don Mafia, Little Hero, Alize, Silver Cat and Ghost were reported to have been in attendance at the service, which was held at the St Gabriel’s Anglican Church in May Pen, Clarendon.

Matterhorn, who was also absent, declared that the Jamaican entertainment fraternity, has “no humanity” and accused the artists of not showing up for the funeral because in their opinion Merciless was not hot at the time of his death, and their absence would not be noticed.

However, Bounty Killer had long paid tribute to Merciless eight months ago, in an interview with YouTuber Teach Dem, in December 2021, where he, among other things, praised the Clarendonian for being a top-class clash artist, and for his unmatched vocal ability, pitch and range.

“Merciless wicked bredrin; is just dat Merciless nuh consistent.  Consistency a Merciless problem; but him bad.  Mi caan point pan who else badda dan him.  Who else badda dan Merciless?  A mussi Kiprich.  A di only man dat badda dan Merciless… when yuh check it out, Merciless an Kiprich is dangerous.   If Merciless coulda stay consistent, him woulda be a weapon. But, is a good artiste still, overall.  And I wish him coulda just teck up him mantle and give wi something else before him retire.

“Caw Merciless have a voice.  Merciless voice , him pitch, him range.  When it come on to vocal a di only man dat weh mi think she yeh, coulda threaten Killa wid vocal – Merciless,” Bounty added. 

Merciless died at his favorite motel on Beechwood Avenue in St Andrew, 18 days after he celebrated his 51st birthday on July 1.  

Incidentally, his last post on his Instagram page was a happy birthday greeting to Bounty Killer on June 12.  

The jovial deejay, who hailed from Chapleton in Clarendon, skyrocketed onto the Dancehall scene in 1994, when he was propelled by Stone Love sound system from a virtual unknown to one of Dancehall’s most revered sons, all in one night at the House of Leo nightclub in Kingston, by way of his hit song Len out Mi Mercy.

Stone Love boss Winston “Wee Pow” Powell, had, upon hearing Merciless deejay for the first time, immediately declared him a star, and had the deejay change his moniker from Sugar Demus changed to Merciless.   Back then, Wee Pow and Bounty Killer were not on good terms, and so Merciless having a similar voice to Bounty, was seen as a plus for the Stone Love boss as the Warlord was not doing dub plates for him.

Len out Mi Mercy, which was initially voiced as a dubplate was a massive hit in Jamaica and it started Merciless’ prolific streak as songwriter and deejay.  He went on to record a string of other hits including Mavis, which was the top Reggae single in Jamaica in 1995, as well as Ole Gallis, Whaddup, Mama Cookin, Gizzada, Let Dem Have It, and God Alone with Little Hero and Action Fire.

Merciless had also teamed up with Lady Saw for two songs: Baby Mother and Long Till It Bend.  He recorded three albums including Mr. Merciless in 1994 and Len’ Out Mi Mercy in 1995.