Break Down of the Beenie Man vs. Bounty Killer Battle

Swizz Beats and Timbaland went all out for the Verzuz Memorial Day Weekend battles. Saturday night was a salute to reggae and dance hall with a battle between two of the biggest names to ever make music on the scene. With Beenie Man vs Bounty Killer we find ourselves right back in 1993 in an epic sound clash in Sting.

In Jamaica, a sound clash is a musical competition where crew members from opposing sound systems pit their skills against each other. Even today, Beenie Man vs Bounty Killer would be one of the most anticipated and hyped sound clashes that could be put together and for good reason.

Beenie Man is a Jamaica native from the Waterhouse district of Kingston. He released his debut album as a pre-teen in 1983, titled, The Invincible Beenie Man: The Ten Year Old DJ Wonder. After a break to finish school, he spent time traveling around the globe. He returned in the early 90s to become one of the biggest names in reggae, worldwide. By the mid 2000s he was featured on songs with several American artists and he had become somewhat of a face for mainstream Reggae music.

Beenie Man’s hits include: “Romie,” “Who Am I (Sim Simma),” “King of the Dancehall,” “Rum and Redbull” and “Dancehall Queen” featuring Chevelle Franklin. “Girls Dem Sugar” with Mya, “Feel It Boy” with Janet Jackson and “Dude” with Shawnna and Ms. Thing are some of his biggest collaborations that impacted urban radio stations. He also has collaborations with Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj, Akon, T.I., Kanye West, Wyclef Jean, Busta Rhymes and Doug E. Fresh.

Bounty Killer began making music in the early 90s, releasing his debut single in 1992. It wasn’t until 1994 that he released his debut album, Roots, Reality & Culture. He was no stranger to collaborations himself, having teamed up with names like The Fugees, No Doubt, Mobb Deep, Raekwon, AZ and Jay-z.

His hits include his cover of “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” featuring Robyn, “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No) (World of Respect ’94 Mix)” featuring Dawn Penn, Dennis Brown and Ken Boothe, “Living Dangerously” with Barrington Levy, “Hip-Hopera” with The Fugees.

Beenie Man and Bounty Killer had a beef that dates back to the early 90s. Bounty Killer claimed that Beenie Man was stealing his style. After their Sound clash in ’93 the rumors swirled even more and the two were taking shots at each other into the late 90s. They eventually mended fences for their love of the Reggae/Dancehall culture. They have since collaborated on several songs together.

Like we have done previously with these Verzuz battles, here’s a round by round break down of the Beenie Man vs Bounty Killer battle.

Other Verzuz Battles: