Bounty Killer - File

IN everyone's persona there is always a soft side.

And while it was a difficult task to get dancehall's 'cross, angry and miserable' musical giant, Bounty Killer, talking about his softer side, it was a totally different response when THE STAR contacted the person he has always kept closest to his heart - 'Miss Ivy'.

Both Bounty Killer and his mother sat together at the luxurious Rib Cage restaurant, in Constant Spring, St Andrew, as she shared information about her son, who has remained a dominant figure in dancehall since his emergence in 1992.

Bounty Killer grew up in several tough inner city communities, where many people have fallen victims to the onslaught of strong political warfare. As with most artistes, Bounty Killer used music as a tool to escape the rigours of society.

Recalling the early years of young Killer, Miss Ivy said, "To tell the truth, he's my best boy. Never gives me any trouble. I love him. He is very responsible, he always speaks the truth and if there is anything to do around the house, he's the first to do it."

Dancehall music, a rebellious offspring of reggae, has always had a stigma attached to it. Bounty Killer, for one, has endured a lot of stigma, as he and several other artistes, during the '90s were vilified for their plethora of 'gun anthems'.

Ironically though, according to 'Miss Ivy', "I grew all my children (eight) in church. Yes man, every Sunday we are at church." Bounty Killer's mother currently attends G.W.F. Church of God, which is near Red Hills Mall in St Andrew.

he touches your heart

Even though most people would perceive Bounty Killer as a hard-core, stone-faced character, his mother, thinks otherwise.

"Rodney is always fun. He's jovial. When he smiles he touches your heart. He's very helpful and I can't say that I had any problem with him when he was young. The only real problem I had was when he and his brother (Ballie Ballie) used to sneak out to go to the studios. I thank God because I could see that he was blessed," Miss Ivy said.

Those times sneaking around at studios and street dances, especially as his father (Breezer) was a sound systems operator, started Bounty Killer's inevitable journey to stardom. But it was still a surprise to Miss Ivy, to say the least.

"He surprised me a lot, because when Rodney was writing his music he didn't tell us anything. He kept it quiet. People would normally come to me and say 'Mi jus si yuh son a Jammy's'. One day I asked him about it and he said to me that 'mommy easy mi nuh buss yet," she laughed.

Veteran deejay Shabba Ranks in 1991, saw Miss Ivy and made a bold prediction. "He said to me, 'Miss Ivy, yuh si Bounty, yow a gold mine inna im. Next year dis time is a golden son yuh ago av."

One year later, Bounty Killer famously rose to stardom with Coppershot, which was released on King Jammy's record label, by his brother Uncle T. From there, he was confirmed as the heir of dancehall music with songs like Book Book, Down In The Ghetto and Mama.

"From he entered music he never leaves mama. He will tell you that. If you have a son that takes care of his mother like Rodney does, then he's a blessed one," Miss Ivy added.