'A you mek mi rich’ Kartel pours out love to Bounty Killer at US birthday bash

Music and marketing consultant Sean Anthony ‘Contractor’ Edwards says Vybz Kartel’s public tribute to Bounty Killer at the veteran deejay’s birthday celebration in Florida on Saturday was a display of growth, forgiveness and unity within dancehall. 

“I think it’s very good because it showed mental growth, forgiveness and respect for the person who broke him in the business,” he said responding to Kartel’s speech. “I like the fact that Mavado showed up also as they started out together so to reunite again is all good.”

Edwards also praised Bounty Killer’s longstanding role in helping to develop talent in the genre.

“Bounty as a dancehall artiste has definitely laid a foundation and demonstrated that when you get on top, you carry others with you and break them as well. The hip-hop artistes do it. I think it shows unity and just general goodwill and decency. He tries with the young artistes and brings them, and even if they don’t ‘buss’ right away, he still supports them same way, so he definitely sets a good example,” he added. 

Vybz Kartel was among the entertainers at ‘It's a Party’, Bounty Killer's annual birthday event, held this year at Kekoon Restaurant & Lounge in Davie, Florida. Standing before the crowd, Vybz Kartel publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to the man he credits for changing his life.

"Memba a you mek me rich yuh nuh," Kartel said.

"General, mi tell mi kids dem, ask mi son dem when yuh si dem. And dem know dat. Yuh cyan duh nuttin mek mi hate yuh. Mi love yuh yuh [expletive]. Just know dat."

The deejay, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, also reflected on the perspective he gained after spending 13 years behind bars before his release in 2024.

"Yuh see weh mi been through and go through 13 years inna prison ... yuh see when mi come out, and mi deh a prison and pray to God, and beg forgiveness, and seh mi ago change mi life and come out, nuh baddi cyan mek mi gi no negative energy," he said.

He pointed to Bounty Killer and added: "A him mek mi rich yuh [expletive] and mi neva be ungrateful to dat regardless a weh people waan seh. Mi love yuh Rodney Pryce. Nuttin cyaan change dat, G."

He then launched into his hit song Victory before celebrating another major milestone for dancehall.

"Di whole a wi get back we visa," he said, while shouting out Mavado, Gully, Alliance, Gaza and Unruly.

"Mi naah bring nuh negativity, enuh, chargie, love mi a deal wid, enuh," he said.

Long before becoming one of dancehall's biggest stars, Vybz Kartel was a member of the group Vibes Cartel alongside Mr Lee and Escobar. After the group disbanded, he continued pursuing music as a solo act.

His then-manager Rohan Butler eventually passed his demo tape to Bounty Killer, who not only liked what he heard but brought him into his Alliance camp. Vybz Kartel first worked as a ghostwriter for Bounty Killer before officially becoming a member of the influential collective.

Bounty Killer also helped shape the artiste's identity. According to a 2019 Instagram post from the veteran deejay, he suggested changing the spelling from Vibes Cartel to Vybz Kartel to distinguish him from others using the name Cartel. Their relationship would later evolve as Vybz Kartel eventually left Alliance to form his own Portmore Empire, also known as Gaza.

Saturday's event also marked a special chapter for Bounty Killer, who is still celebrating a long-awaited return to the US after 15 years. Bounty Killer turned 54 on June 12 and staged his popular birthday celebration in the US for the first time.