Bounty Killer Withdraws From Reggae Sumfest 2024

Bounty Killer‘s announcement that he will no longer appear at this year’s Reggae Sumfest and that his planned tribute will no longer take place has moved some fans to call for Downsound CEO Joe Bogdanovich to take immediate steps to rectify the situation.

The Warlord made the revelation via his Instagram page last night, where he apologized for what he described as the unexpected events causing his withdrawal.

“Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control there won’t be no Bounty Killer tribute this year at Sumfest and I won’t be appearing either. Salute to all the fans, alliance, and allegiances. Thank you,” the Coppershot artist noted on a video of one of his past Reggae Sumfest performances. 

Downsound Entertainment, the festival organizers, have not yet commented on Bounty Killer’s announcement or the specific circumstances that led to his decision.

However, this morning, Reggae Sumfest announced on Instagram what it says is the full lineup for the show, which will span seven days with eight events from July 14 to 20, with no mention of Bounty Killer or his tribute. 

The post mentioned the weeklong concerts and other activities, including the “Family Funday, energetic Street Dance, glamorous All White Party, intense Global Sound Clash, and an all new Reggae Sumfest Blitz experience with Appleton Estate Rum Festival”, and the “feature performances by, Beenie Man, New Wave, Babyface, Beres Hammond, Dexta Daps, Aidonia, Jada Kingdom and many more”. 

The news of Bounty’s withdrawal has disappointed many of his local and overseas fans. Some pointed out that they had been eagerly looking forward to flying into Montego Bay for his performance and the planned tribute.  

“This is disappointing, a whole heap a plane tickets buy already and hotel book for this occasion. Jah know best still ?,” real_scluba said.

“Thanks for letting us know Killa cause if you nah appear then I won’t be going either. Glad I didn’t buy any tickets yet. F*ckry them a keep up. Only one 5 ️general. Big up yuhself Killa. Kaboom,” one fan wholeout said, while spartahenry9 added: “I don’t know if its just me being the biggest bounty killa fan but whenever killa not on a show the expectation for that show the enthusiasm is never there like killa me boss u ah the greatest you deserve ever accolade there is am happy I am in this era to witness the greatest,” another added.

Others expressed optimism that the tribute would, in fact, take place and called on Joe Bogdanovich to turn the situation around so that the “well-deserved” exaltation could occur. 

“Fix it Joe!!! The tribute is a must !” one woman demanded.

“I am going to hope and I stress ‘hope’, that what happened behind the scenes will be rectified and the tribute happens.  Although you dont go by the title “king of dancehall” you are truly that. Your imprint has made ghetto youths into millionaires. If we remove you out of history 3/4 of dancehall is gone. You are di one family,” another added.

Bounty Killer, who is known for his booming voice, powerful stage presence, and influential role in Dancehall, having given numerous artists, including Vybz Kartel, Mavado, and Busy Signal, their big breaks, has been a staple in the music scene for more than three decades.   

In December last year, Reggae Sumfest had announced that Bounty Killer would be the 2024 recipient of a tribute similar to the ones given to legendary Dancehall producers Dave Kelly and King Jammy, who received their tributes in 2022 and 2023, respectively, at the event’s Catherine Hall home in Montego Bay.

Shortly after, a seemingly excited Bounty Killer had called on his fans to help him select the artists, excluding Mavado and Vybz Kartel, that they thought should perform at his tribute.