Jamaican dancehall superstar Rodney “Bounty Killer” Pryce delivered an anti-crime and violence sermon of sorts to the massive audience in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) at the Magnum Xplosion SummerStageTT concert on the weekend.

Amid his electrifying performance at The Paddock, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, Newsday reports that Bounty Killer broke into a sermon calling on communities, concerned citizens and the government of T&T to work together to alleviate the scourge of the escalating crime and violence across the country, and shared several poignant and powerful anti-crime messages.

During his hour-long headline performance, the Poor People’s Governor, as he is also known, called out familiar areas such as St Paul Street, Sea Lots, Belmont and Maraval and numbered gangs such as “6, 7 and 11” whilst advising those listening that “even the smartest criminals ended up in prison eventually.”

He added that “most of them are actually dead,” before leaving with the question: “So why choose a path like that with no future?”

Detention at airport

Earlier that day, Pryce emerged smiling, excited and triumphant from the Piarco International Airport after he was detained for nine hours by immigration authorities when his entry into T&T was rejected on his arrival on August 9.

In wrapping up his performance, Bounty Killer thanked his Trini friends and family, including cricketer and entertainer, Dwayne Bravo; soca stars, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons; celebrity bodyguard, Kevin DaCosta (aka Johnny Bravo); and entrepreneur, Kweisi Daniel for supporting him during his detention.

He praised Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz for their intervention in securing his waiver to enter the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Bounty Killer told Overtime Media he was happy to be in Trinidad again, but saddened and concerned about the reports of escalating crime and violence in his “sister country.”  

He sang several uplifting songs, including a remake of the Billy Ocean classic, Suddenly, while questioning how “life could have no meaning” to some of those involved in criminal and violent activities in T&T. The veteran entertainer made no apologies for his frequent interludes, declaring that he was hired “not just to come and entertain the people, but to deliver these messages of peace and unity to T&T at this time”. 

Magnum Tonic Wine’s export brand manager from Jamaica Georgia Fearon, who attended the concert echoed and endorsed Pryce’s concern and advice, describing his performance as “exemplary”.

“This was a shining example of regional unity and a display of maturity and civic responsibility by a legendary entertainer. Our brand is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary since being launched,” she continued, “and we salute all performers alike for displaying the diversity of Magnum within the wider dancehall community.”