Bounty Killer ‘thankful’ for IRAWMA Lifetime Achievement Award

Dancehall heavyweight Rodney 'Bounty Killer' Price is thankful for being honoured by the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) for his three decades of "untiring and extraordinary contributions to reggae music internationally".

In a recent interview with THE STAR about this latest accolades, Bounty Killer said that it has been a "big responsibility" throughout the years to keep focused.

"I am honoured to be nominated for this Lifetime Achievement Award. It feels good to be recognised for my contribution to the music which I truly love. In everything I give thanks to God, my mother Ms Ivy, and I also couldn't have done this without my management team led by my friend and manager Paul 'Bankey' Giscombe," Bounty Killer said.

Bounty Killer, as well as Beenie Man, will be honoured by IRAWMA at a ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Sunday, May 7. The organisers, Martin's International, said that the 40th anniversary of IRAWMA, to be held under the theme 'Reggae Rise', "will be a salute to dancehall music and its monumental contribution to the evolution of Jamaican music over the last 50 years".

In 2019, Bounty Killer, whose big break came in 1993 at the then popular Border Clash stage show, was the recipient of the IRAWMA Icon Award, which he told THE STAR at the time was "better than a Grammy". Four years later, he is again in the spotlight and not shying away from expressing his feelings.

"I am grateful, and appreciate the recognition for my hard work and success in keeping the dancehall music alive and paving ways for the new generations to come. I feel like it takes a big responsibility to stay focused, and it happens musically and otherwise, because you have to carry yourself at a certain level of integrity. It's a blessing, but at the same time it helps keep you grounded and focused. Thank you, IRAWMA, for this great honour. It is truly appreciated," the self-proclaimed Poor People's Defender said.

Grammy winner Mikayla Victoria 'Koffee' Simpson, leads the way at the 40th IRAWMA with seven nominations. Up for six nominations each are Spice, Masicka and Popcaan, while Sean Paul, Gramps Morgan, and Ding Dong have secured four nods apiece. Buju Banton, Capleton, Damian Marley, Dexta Daps, DJ Khaled, Kabaka Pyramid, Shaggy, Sizzla, Skeng, and Skillibeng have three each, while Burna Bwoy, Etana, Govana, Jada Kingdom, Queen Ifrica, Shaneil Muir, Shenseea, Tarrus Riley and Valiant picked up two nominations each. Other players in the music industry received one nod.

- Y.P.