KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dancehall icon Bounty Killer says receiving the Key to the City of Kingston is an honour that surpasses even winning a Grammy Award, describing the recognition from his hometown as the greatest achievement of his career.
Accepting the prestigious civic honour from the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) and the Kingston City Council, the deejay, whose given name is Rodney Price, opened his address by expressing gratitude for the recognition.
“Yo, as you know, we had a little technical difficulty earlier on, so I’m just saying now, thanks to the KSAMC and the City Council for choosing me to bestow the key of Kingston upon me. It’s a great achievement. This is not a common one,” he said. “I just want to say thanks to my hardworking manager, Mr. Bankey, Paul Chiscombe. Unfortunately, he’s not here today in attendance, but he’s here in spirit all the time around.”
The dancehall legend also paid tribute to his birthplace, Sea View Gardens, calling it “the mecca of greatness” and celebrating the community that shaped both his life and career.
“Our community is a garden, a golden garden,” he said before acknowledging a long list of mentors, entertainers and friends from the community, including Boom Dandemite, Nitty Kutchie, Elephant Man, the Scare Dem Crew and others who influenced his journey.
An emotional Bounty Killer reflected on his beginnings in music, recalling that the late Wayne Smith was the first person to give him the opportunity to record.
“Wayne Smith was the one who gave me the experience to put on an earphone over my ear and go in a recording booth. The first song I ever recorded was right in Wayne Smith’s little studio in his room, right here on Windward Road. That’s where it all started.”
He also reminisced about the excitement of seeing his name on a record label for the first time.
“Every artist can tell you what that does for an artist when you look on a record and you see a name. Although you never sell one copy, you just want to see your name on that label. It made you feel like you are a real artist.”
The deejay credited Boom Dandemite for encouraging him to pursue music and explained that his passion for helping younger artists came naturally.
“I never knew I was a mentor. I was just doing a big brother job. You get in, you have to let in your brother. They call me a social entrepreneur… I invest socially in my country and my fellow musicians.”
He encouraged young people to embrace discipline and perseverance, declaring that “hard work, dedication lead to these achievements and accolades in life.”
The emotional high point of the speech came as Bounty Killer addressed the significance of being honoured by the people who watched him grow from a young aspiring deejay into one of dancehall’s most influential figures.
“They said, ‘A king has never been crowned in his town.’ What is this now? What do you call this?” he asked before adding, “This is more than a Grammy to me.”
Explaining why the award carried such deep meaning, he continued: “These are people who watched me emerge as a young artist… these people are personally involved in my upbringing, and for them to decide that I deserve the Key to Kingston, this is something phenomenal for me.”
He again thanked the Mayor, councillors, Members of Parliament, the security forces, the media and residents of Kingston for the honour.
“Everyone who decided to make this decision is very, very appreciated from the deepest core of my body,” he said.
Bounty Killer also celebrated another milestone, noting that the roadway formerly known as Winchester Road had officially been renamed Rodney Price Drive in his honour.
“It’s Rodney Price Drive—it’s official. You saw the citation, so no more Winchester Road, it’s all Rodney Price Drive.”
Closing his address, the dancehall pioneer described the occasion as a defining moment in Jamaica’s cultural history.
“This evening is the unfolding of a historical chapter. So you are being a part of history. Celebrate yourself.”
He ended by embracing his latest title with characteristic confidence, declaring himself “the king of kings with the key to Kingston.”
