With Bounty Killer’s U.S. visa reinstated after 15 years, making him joined Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, Sizzla, and Buju Banton in a major return to U.S. soil. Industry voices like ZJ Sparks and Lloyd Laing weighed in on the impact, highlighting the boost this comeback brings to Jamaican music
DJ Khaled with Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel in Miami (Photo: Jamie Crawford)
Dancehall veteran Bounty Killer has had his U.S. visa reinstated after 15 years, allowing him to join fellow icons Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Vybz Kartel, and Sizzla—who have also recently regained their travel privileges. The news rekindles hope for renewed connections between Dancehall pioneers and their American fan base.
For years, visa restrictions prevented many of these legendary artists from performing in the U.S., one of the most vital and lucrative markets for Jamaican music.
"It is a good thing for the industry," said ZJ Sparks. "Whilst digitalization has given global consumers real-time access to the genre and artistes and producers in the game faster reach and the ability to evaluate metrics to determine where to go and which songs are popular in each market, at the end of the day the US is still our closest market and a convenient and cost-effective gateway to other parts of the world. Access is key," the popular media and radio personality explained.
The Grammy-nominated producer analyzed the situation: "It will allow them to do promotion and better networking. Face-to-face is always better. This can lead to brand opportunities and increased commercialization. We will no doubt retain some of our raw edge, but it opens business opportunities outside of just music."
Talking about those business opportunities, we’ve already seen it unfold with Vybz Kartel and Bounty Killer, who immediately landed in Miami and linked up consistently with world-renowned DJ Khaled, recording new music and vibing together. “Give thanks to the DJ Khaled machinery for helping to give our living legends a well-deserved second chance to shine on a global stage," added music analyst and internet entrepreneur Lloyd Laing.
With Kartel already having two back-to-back shows at Barclays Center slated for April, Buju selling out venues across the U.S. last year and have few mort dates this year, Beenie Man and Bounty Man likely to receive major bookings soon, Sparks resonated: "Give them the ability to permeate venues with their raw performance energy in real life, plausibly leading to access to bigger venues.
"This can lead to brand opportunities and increased commercialization. We will no doubt retain some of our raw edge, but it opens business opportunities outside of just music".
"Connect with their existing fans who have been starved of some of their faves while allowing new fans to meet legends and create a memory," she noted.
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