Bounty, Beenie share stage - Killer says performance was not planned!

Deejay Bounty Killer says his performance alongside long-time musical foe, Beenie Man, on Sunday in Negril, Westmoreland, was not planned.

On Sunday, Bounty brought a memorable end to the Guinness Summer Eclipse at The Jungle, when he invited Beenie onstage.

"It was nothing planned. I was booked and was doing my thing an' a do some counteraction to some Beenie songs. Den mi stop an' sey mi a leggo off a da vibe dey an mi big up Beenie. But mi neva know sey Beenie was in di house," said Bounty when contacted by THE STAR yesterday.

The deejay said, at that point, Beenie Man made it known that he was present and the crowd urged him to call 'The Doc' onstage.

"The crowd was indicating for me to call him up, an' true a me sey unity it was only right that wi put wi differences aside. Is a good ting and is the honourable thing to do, lead by example an' use di music to uplift the people," he said

"Weh di Docta deh?" Bounty had quizzed during his performance on Sunday, shortly after Beenie had arrived in the venue. Patrons then erupted as Beenie Man came onstage and shared a brief embrace with Bounty.

The two then went into a medley of their old favourites, reminiscent of their 1993 Sting appearance.

The performance was a rare dancehall moment by two of the genres most endearing artistes. Despite the many public spats over the past 18 years, their performance signified that both were appreciative of each other's musical greatness.

tremendous vibe

During yesterday's interview, Bounty who was still in good spirits after Sunday's performance, said that "Di vibe was tremendous an di people dem love every moment of it," he said.

The deejay said the onstage performance between him and Beenie is something he hopes to repeat.

"It is something we should do again, cause mi know sey Kingston an all ova waan see dat. And I think it will set di precedence for the Gully-Gaza conflict. Suh even if dem waan sen Kartel, a guh be di same vibe. Anything fi uplift di people, I'm for it."

He, however, made sure to point out that, "the difference wid me an Beenie neva died, it jus put aside."

Before Beenie Man's cameo on Sunday, Bounty had been in peak form with songs from his vast catalogue from 'Look into my eyes' to 'Mama she's not in a good mood' to 'This is how we do it'.

He was commanding, strong in his delivery and also philosophical. Bounty spoke on several social issues and said that after voicing his support for the police at Reggae Sumfest, he was disappointed to see a news report of two officers shooting an unarmed man last Friday.

Also performing at the event were Agent Sasco, also known as Assassin, who connected with 'Same Ting Again', 'Hand to Mouth' and 'EeediatTing Dat', Wayne Marshall, Ikaya, Chi Ching Ching and the Big Ship family of Chino, Laden, Bramma and Di Genius

The Guinness Summer Eclipse was a two-night event of superb performances, featuring dancehall's hottest artistes.

After the event, commenting on the Bounty and Beenie performance, Guinness brand manager Gary Dixon said; "This was a truly great moment. Two of dancehall's most enduring and significant artistes sharing a rare moment together onstage."

THE JAMAICA STAR