Beenie Man: The “King of the Dancehall.” Known for his incredible “flow,” hit-making ability, and high-energy stage presence. He is the master of the “party” side of Dancehall.
Bounty Killer: The “Warlord.” He represents the “gritty,” “street,” and “political” side of the genre. He is known for his deep voice and for “bussing” (discovering) almost every major artist in the industry (including Vybz Kartel).
Comparison: This is the greatest rivalry in Dancehall history. Beenie Man is the entertainer who makes the girls dance; Bounty Killer is the general who speaks for the “ghetto.” Their legendary 1993 Sting clash and their eventual 2020 Verzuz battle are the “gold standards” for the genre.