Bounty Killer is the latest Dancehall figure to regain a USA visa after going over a decade without being able to travel to the states. Just like how questions are being asked about why the visas of the Dancehallers were taken, questions are also being asked why exactly are they being reinstated one after the other.
In late February, veteran music selector Ricky Trooper who also got his visa took at one point, stated that Jamaica’s government played a role in visas being taken. Almost a month later, a member of parliament in an interview, highlights that her remarks about the artistes plays a role when conducting an interview at the embassy.
Trooper stated, “A lot of artiste weh deh a Jamaica have dah problem yah through the government… memba seh Popcaan guh suh bum enuh and guh a England enuh and when Popcaan reach a England enuh them detain him a nuh and when Popcaan a seh how unuh let me in and ray-ray?”
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. The Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange MP, CD, detailed that she played her part in helping Dancehall stars regain visas to travel.
Talking to Anthony Miller of Entertainment report, the much respected Member Parliament for St. Catherine Central since 1997 stated, “When i do a letter of endorsement it means something and i don’t take it lightly when i provide the artiste with the letter of enforcement when they are going in for their interviews.”
With regards to her advice, she stated, “I do ask them to be continuous of what they do and what they says.”
Concluding her statement she stated, “I don’t want to boast, neither do i want to engage in a public discussion about how the embassy treats persons who applies for visas i do’t thinks it’s proper or ethical for me to have those discussions, but i do play my part.”
While Bounty Killer did not publicly thank the minister, he thanked multiple of his associates including his attorney, on Instagram he stated, “Thanks for all the well wishes and congratulations but y’all say hello the Wonder Woman who works the wonders my wonderful attorney @ReggaeVisaLawyer the most fast effective and efficient service if she solves my case who’s own she can’t fix check her out folks all the fans go tell her thanks now.”
Talking on the issue of visas being taken away, an industry insider stated, “It is so easy for a visa to be taken away from you, the United States government do not have to explain to you the reasons why it is denying you a visa. Once we appreciate that, then we know that this privilege is something is very fickle and can change in a second.”
Some of the top Dancehall figures who were recently re-granted a USA visa includes Sizzla, Buju Banton, Beenie Man and Vybz Kartel.
Notably, Buju Banton had a very successful 2024 as it relates to shows in the USA, Beenie Man is set for tour of the states and Vybz Kartel is set to perform for the first time in USA in over 20 years on April 11 .
The anticipation is now high as to when Bounty Killer will perform at his first big show in America.
Learn more from the report below by Anthony Miller of Entertainment report.
