Joe Bagdonovich, Chairman of Downsound Entertainment, organizers of the recently held Reggae Sumfest has issued an apology to Bounty Killer.
The statement said, “Downsound Entertainment is committed to free expression and providing a platform for Reggae and Dancehall music throughout the world. This sort of behavior is strictly prohibited under Sumfest policy and the agreements between Downsound and our Artist.”
Ishawna performed on dancehall night of the festival and during her set she incorporated images of Prime Minister Andrew Holness as well as that of Bounty Killer. However she played the cardboard cutout of Bounty Killer on the floor and hovered over it as she sang “Equal Rights”, her 2018 dancehall rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You”.
Bagdonovich further stated, “The behavior was disrespectful and inexcusable and for that we sincerely apologize to Bounty Killer for any offense caused. We love and respect Rodney Price on a personal and professional level and look forward to hosting him again at Reggae Sumfest.
Bounty Killer posted his own contradictory statement on instagram under a video condemning Ishawna’s Sumfest performance professing his maturity but also calling Ishawna a “Dancehall Mattress.”
“We Jamaicans likes to take bad things and make jokes but when bad things happens do we find it funny thanks to growth and maturity so at this age i only Act and not React Jamaicans y’all says how we rate the general for his contributions to the poor and the development of other artiste etc. then y’ll sat there laughing how a little fly batty pissen tail dancehall mattress witch styled me right here a Jamaica who claimed them love and rate me that’s why I had ntn to say I leave y’all to God and Time away with my ignorance and welcome my intellect just watch tha style yah
Desperation has one Destination downward spiral 
,” he posted.
4 years ago when Ishawna did Equal Rights there was much uproar in the dancehall community, led by none other but Bounty Killer. The 50 year old deejay made a post with threats against Ishawna warning her not to sing the song at a concert they were both billed to perform.
“(Ishawna) cyaah sing da song deh at this show else mi ago rush har nuh kitten or catfish can nuh bloodclaath bother come bcuz that cyaah sing else she cannot be on no more shows with mi either bcuz mi nuh sing fi bowcat or bowfish,” Bounty Killer posted on social media at the time.
Ishawna, being the empowered woman she is, responded, “Bring it on Rodney” on her Instagram post. She went on to perform the song in his presence at the event in Portland Jamaica to massive approval from the crowd.
During his performance at the show Bounty Killer said, “Weh the clean mouth gal dem deh now, me heard some a unuh a sing some sumn” before launching into a tirade.
Other artists even refused to use the same mic as Ishawna whenever she was booked for a show.
The Look Into My Eyes deejay subsequently canceled another show, Kool Out Sundayz in St. Elizabeth after discovering Ishawna was also booked.
More recently he congratulated Ed Sheeran for embracing dancehall culture after realizing Ed had embraced Ishawna’s 2018 rendition of his song among other things.
Downsound and Ishawna
Ishawna’s recent return to Reggae Sumfest came as Jada Kingdom dropped out due to “disorganization”, even though Ishawna had announced that she severed ties with the Joe Bagdonovich led company in 2016 just as Bagdonovich acquired the Sumfest brand. That year Ishawna was booked for the show and did not turn up.
Ishawna told Winford Williams that it was a business decision to step away from the label and the show at the time even though Joe had gifted her a Mercedes Benz motor car.
She had also told Anthony Miller of Entertainment Report that her relationship with Joe was strictly business.
“Strictly business, it was always just a business relationship,” Ishawna said. “I am an asset to Downsound not a liability so you’re not going to see no fight, there is going to be a fight. But at the end of the day I have to do me and take my career into my own hands,” She said at the time.
Read full Downsound Entertainment apology below:
