BROOKLYN, NY — After a 15-year absence from the U.S. stage, dancehall legend Bounty Killer is set to make a triumphant and historic return with what may be the biggest performance of his career. The artist, born Rodney Pryce, will headline Reggae Fest on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York — his most significant headlining event in the United States to date.
This long-awaited comeback follows the reinstatement of Bounty Killer’s U.S. visa earlier this year. His visa had been revoked in 2010 by the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, abruptly halting his international performances and leaving fans in limbo for over a decade. No official reason was ever provided for the revocation, which also impacted several other Jamaican artists at the time.
In an interview with the FaceVu YouTube channel, Bounty Killer reflected on his journey in New York and what the upcoming show means for the culture of dancehall.
“The first real show was Tilden Ballroom, in New York before we reached Biltmore. So it’s from Tilden to Starlight Ballroom to Biltmore Ballroom to Barclays Centre,” he said. “So the whole theme is from Biltmore to Barclays.”
A theme first covered by World Music Views in April when Vybz Kartel headlined the venue with two shows.
“That’s how dancehall has grown over the last few decades. So if people really love this culture, they should really embrace it at this moment because it came a long [way],” Bounty said.
He also acknowledged New York’s foundational role in launching his career, crediting his first major hit to the city’s embrace of dancehall music.
“If anybody live in Brooklyn for the last at least 20 years… I’m not going to push it back up 30 years when Copper Shot burst in New York. My first hit song burst in New York before Jamaica… Copper Shot took off in New York first and then it released in Jamaica. So my first hit song was because of New York.”
“So Johnny Wonder thinks She Alright, King don’t want to release it to Jamaica because of the radio. New York play everything. So Johnny Wonder let it go in New York because he used to run the distribution to Jammys with VP. So Johnny Wonder really caused Killer’s career fi take off. So kudos to Johnny Wonder.”
Looking ahead to the July 5 show, Bounty hinted at multiple surprise guests but emphasized the significance of the three announced performers — Masicka, Aidonia, and Mavado — all of whom he personally endorses.
“And the reason why we could have put those 3 artists is because they are Bounty Killer affiliates, Bounty Killer co-sign. We co-sign Masicka, we co-sign Aidonia, we co-sign Mavado. So they are more than just artists coming on this concert and people are looking at it the wrong way.”
Speaking on the recent reunion with himself, Vybz Kartel and Mavado in Miami on the set of a music video shoot, Bounty said:
“No well, it’s a very very very historical moment for me, because it’s nearly 20 years I haven’t seen Mavado and Kartel together in such harmony.”
The “Poor People Governor” is preparing to mark a full-circle moment in dancehall’s global journey — not just for himself, but for a generation of fans and artists. From the grassroots venues of Tilden and Biltmore to the grandeur of Barclays Center, Bounty Killer’s return is shaping up to be a landmark moment in dancehall history.
