Bounty Killer, Popcaan hailed for extending olive branch to Mavado on death of his mother

Even as dancehall artiste David ‘Mavado’ Brooks joined the list of artistes plunged into mourning for the loss of their mothers, moves to extend the olive branch by colleagues, mainly Bounty Killer and Popcann, are being hailed as positive.

It was last week Thursday, on the eve of his teenaged son’s scheduled sentencing on a murder charge, that Mavado’s mother, Elizabeth ‘Ms Pinny’ Gordon, made her transition and left the singjay crying over the loss of his “best friend”.

With this double whammy for Mavado, his friends have been comforting him, and even his former rivals have put their differences aside and extended condolences. In paying tribute, Bounty Killer acknowledged the rift between them when he posted, “Jah know star I just want to send my deepest sympathy and condolences to @mavadogully and his family on the passing of his mom, despite our situation, but I know the void and emptiness cause by the loss of a mom it’s a very sad street that we all have to trod one day prayers goes out stay strong.”

Fans have since been praising Bounty for his maturity.

Sound system owner, Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell, said he liked that move and the message being sent to the wider dancehall. He is also encouraging Mavado to channel his sorrow into something musical. “First of all, condolences go out to Mavado. I know how it goes to lose someone special. I’m hoping that he stays focused, be strong, and put his energy into making a nice Mama song. As for the Bounty and Popcaan messages, I really like that, especially in these times.”

“They weren’t on speaking terms with Mavado. But it wasn’t a bitter rivalry. In a way, it’s similar to situations with me and other sound man. We have our differences, but if anything goes wrong, we reach out to each other. It is a good look for dancehall,” Wee Pow said.

HUMAN COMPASSION

Music analyst Clyde McKenzie says he is not surprised, and made a case for more unity. “Bounty Killer, despite his supposed brashness, is a compassionate person. With the closeness of Bounty to his own mother, he would have understood the significance of David’s loss. Popcaan, too, shares a lot of love and affection for his mother, Miss Rona. So persons who love their mothers have the ability to show that human compassion. The fact that they extended themselves in this way is very commendable,” McKenzie said.

He noted that rivalry, while being an important feature of dancehall, is not essential. “Dancehall has been affected more by the rivalry and the pettiness than it has benefitted,” he stated.

In his message to Mavado on social media, Popcaan said, “Keep yo meds firm up same way fighting the fight. Condolences to you and your family, tough times for everybody, stay up.” He added a disclaimer, “Unruly wish bad on no one!!!”

Mavado has been using social media as an outlet for his sorrow. On Instagram, he posted a picture of him kissing his mother, along with the caption, “My everything. Jah know I just don’t know what to say mama.”

In another post, the artiste, whose real name is David Brooks, reflected on the role of his mother in his life. “It was always me and you walking up and down Constant Spring Road. Them days, my little sister was just a baby. Them days, I always said as a kid, I’m going to buy you the biggest house and the prettiest car when I grow up. l build you the biggest house. I keep my promise mama. I did it and the world will remember us, me and you. Jah know, have never felt like this before. Wow, my best friend gone.”

Since the middle of last year to the present, Capleton, Shenseea, Beenie Man, Dancing Rebel, Black Queen and Shabba Ranks have all lost their mothers.