The dancehall community was taken by surprise recently when legendary artist Bounty Killer revealed his battle with a severe health issue. The artist, known for his powerful tracks like "One Godzilla," shared a post-surgery photo that detailed the gravity of his situation.
Though Bounty Killer has not disclosed the specific nature of his illness, he revealed that it required significant abdominal surgery. The photo he posted showed the aftermath of this major operation, with the artist expressing profound gratitude towards the medical team at the Tony Thwaites Wing at the University Hospital of the West Indies. This team had previously saved his life three years ago during another critical health crisis.
"3 years ago vs today, with the mercy of the Almighty God and the skilled hands of the doctors at Tony Thwaites Wing at UWH. No scar, just looking like a birthmark now," Bounty Killer shared on social media.
The revelation also highlighted that Bounty Killer was enduring this health struggle during his widely acclaimed Verzuz battle with longtime rival Beenie Man. This Verzuz battle, occurring at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, was notable for being the first in-person live event in the series created by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz.
Just a few months after this iconic Verzuz episode, Bounty Killer underwent the major surgery he has only now revealed. This health scare may have been a factor in the delay of his long-awaited album, "King Of Kingston," which he has been working on with executive producer Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley since 2020. Despite releasing several singles, there has been no recent update on the album’s progress.
Following his revelation, Bounty Killer has received an outpouring of love and support from fans and fellow artists. Dancehall stars like Spice, Chi Ching Ching, and I-Octane have all shown their solidarity. One fan poignantly commented, "[Bounty Killer], your story here elevates my thought process. Some people see your glory and don’t know your story. Some people see you trying to keep your head above ground with a smile that overshadows your real emotions."
Spice also offered her support, saying, “God is Good all the time Survivor,” in recognition of his recovery.