Bounty Killer Honoured With Kingston’s Key to the City and Rodney Price Drive: “This is more than a Grammy to me”
Dancehall icon Bounty Killer says receiving the Key to the City of Kingston and having a road renamed in his honour means more to him than winning a Grammy after he was recognised for his contribution to Jamaican music, culture and community development.
The entertainer, whose real name is Rodney Basil Price, received the two honours during a ceremony on July 28 in his native Seaview Gardens. The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) officially renamed Wenchman Road as Rodney Price Drive while also presenting the veteran deejay with the Key to the City of Kingston.
The recognition follows a resolution passed by the KSAMC in April acknowledging Bounty Killer’s influence, legacy and decades of service to Jamaican culture. Government officials, including a Member of Parliament, were among those in attendance, along with fellow entertainers and residents from the community.
Following speeches and entertainment from drummers and Seaview Gardens artiste Nitty Kutchie, the 54-year-old Dancehall legend took the stage dressed in a white pants suit to accept the honours.
Addressing the gathering, Bounty Killer described the occasion as one of the greatest moments of his career.
“Another historical chapter in my career, and this is a very unusual and uncommon accomplishment. I just want to say thanks to the KSAMC, the mayor, Minister Hilton… and the whole city council for choosing me. This is more than just a ceremony, this is a celebration of troubles and trials and triumph and greatness,” he said.
His speech was briefly interrupted by technical difficulties when the microphone stopped working. As officials worked to restore the audio, the deejay encouraged members of the audience to move closer before reflecting on his early life in Seaview Gardens.
Pointing to a nearby location, he recalled being shot there at the age of 16, only a short distance from where the ceremony was taking place.
When the sound returned, Bounty Killer reflected on his musical journey and referenced the saying that a king is never crowned in his own town.
“They said a king is never crowned in his own town. What is this now? What do you call this?” he asked to loud applause before making one of the day’s most memorable statements.
“This is more than a Grammy to me,” he declared before proudly reminding the audience that the roadway now officially bears the name Rodney Price Drive.
