In a recent interview, the legendary dancehall artist Bounty Killer discussed the relationship between afrobeat and dancehall. He expressed his belief that afrobeat is not competing with dancehall but rather a relative genre.
Despite the rise of afrobeat, Bounty Killer firmly believes that dancehall still has a place in the international market.
The deejay, whose given name is Rodney Price, expressed his satisfaction that Africa finally has its own sound and music. However, he believes that dancehall musicians need to be more creative and produce more relatable lyrics to compete on the global stage. Bounty Killer pointed out that the technical nature of dancehall music makes it challenging for international listeners to connect with it.
Moreover, he expressed frustration with the conflicts and infighting plaguing the dancehall space. In contrast, he stated that afrobeat is a genre free from such issues, with African artists united by their love of music.
The Warlord also criticized the use of metaphoric lyrics in dancehall music. He believes that musicians should simplify their lyrics to make them more relatable to their audience. These comments highlight dancehall’s challenges in the international music market and the need for greater creativity, relatable lyrics, and unity among musicians in the space.
