Merciless remembered for his ‘unmatched lyrical artistry’

In the late 1990s and 2000s, dancehall entertainer Merciless engaged in several high-profile lyrical battles with fellow deejays Beenie Man, Ninjaman and Bounty Killer that made him an instant legend in the world of dancehall.

Clad in full military gear and using his legendary catchphrase, ‘bad man no tek bad up’ at Sting 2000, he defeated Ninjaman, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man who tried to ambush him in a lyrical face-off at Jamworld Entertainment Complex in Portmore, St Catherine.

Almost two decades later, fans still rave about the Warhead’s performance.

“Leonard Bartley, aka Merciless, is undoubtedly one of the most lyrical artistes to have graced the Sting stage. His lyrical artistry and his command on stage are unmatched,” Isaiah Laing, promoter and founder of Sting, told Loop Entertainment.

“This is a man who cook war and dish war, therefore, he was named ‘Warhead’, the warring don from Clarendon and why he had to be rated amongst the best.

“He is the only man to kill the three top deejay all at once on stage at Sting 2000. He is the only man to have lend defeat to the great Bounty Killer twice, and we all know that Bounty is not a pushover,” Laing added.

The Boxing Day stage show clash is one of the most talked-about in dancehall history. Merciless engaged in several clashes with the top deejays and, on several occasions, emerged as the winner.

“Merciless has this stage presence that is really commanding, and he reads his audience well. This is the man who says his belt pants and even his loop a war. The crowd at Sting was super excited. He is gone but won’t be forgotten anytime soon if any at all. RIP Warhead,” Laing said.

According to artiste manager Harvel ‘Gadaffi’ Hart, who had been Merciless’ manager since 1994, the late entertainer took on the ‘Warhead’ persona because he wanted to get the love and adulation from the fans and the music industry.