‘Book Book Book’ still inspires Bounty Killer

For almost three decades, as scores of Jamaican students mourn over the ashes of their burned 'free paper', Bounty Killer's 1995 track Book Book Book holds a special place for many Jamaicans.

The dancehall icon told THE STAR that the track holds a special place in his heart because of his own turbulent relation with school.

"I was a school dropout at an early age, and I realised that education was the key to get out of poverty. So when the opportunity came for me to do a song to encourage others not to drop out of school as I did, it was a no-brainer. I just felt it was a good thing to do," he said.

The entertainer, given name Rodney Price, was a student of the Edith Dalton James High School until grade nine, when he dropped out.

The no- iconic track Book Book Book was re-released in 1997 as apart of Bounty Killer's Ghetto Gramma album. The track features lyrics such as ' If you nuh have no education, people treat you like a boops, Turn you in a handyman, dog food you haffi cook...'.

The song sparked several debates as, at the time, the deejay was in the height of his 'Warlord' persona and had a discography that had primarily violent lyrics.

However, over the years Bounty Killer's love for the song has not wavered, as he said it is just a "positive vibe".

"It's a positive song about bettering self and self-uplifting. The song is just a positive vibe, generally. I feel very proud to know that that song is still being played today so many years later, with a totally new generation enjoying the song," he said.

Bounty Killer told THE STAR that over the years, the song has not only been an inspiration to him, but to many who have reached out to him personally.

"Yes, many fans have reached out to tell me how the song impacted their life. I have even been invited as guest speaker by some of those same fans, who told me how much I have inspired them to stay in school and even reached the university level," he said.

As children return to school this semester, the self-proclaimed 'Poor People's Governor' said that he wanted all students to know that "a good education is the ultimate key to success, [so] stay in school and get the most out of learning."