Bounty Killer tells how he kept his singing voice for over 30 years

Bounty Killer has revealed that he has maintained his vocal health for the past three decades by consuming large amounts of peppermint tea and traditional potions containing garlic, honey and eucalyptus.

In an interview with Joy Daily, Bounty cited the herbs as his preferred preventative measure after the host asked him if there was “anything special” in his routine that allowed him to preserve his voice and “sound the way it did” over 30 years ago.

“You just have to make sure you always have your organic honey and your garlic and that you have something called Liquifruta – garlic and honey, which is a ‘salve’ for hoarseness,” Bounty said.

He added: “I have only been hoarse a few times. Since I have been an artist, I have never been hoarse ten times. I have only been hoarse a few times. So eucalyptus, honey, liqui-fruta and garlic are good for the voice and the glands,” he stressed.

Bounty, who took extensive singing lessons in his early years as a dancehall professional, also pointed out that dairy products and very cold drinks are taboo for artistes if they want their voices to last.

“I always drink peppermint tea. I don’t bother with dairy and stuff like that. Milk sits in your glands and it smells, it makes you hoarse and you get a cold. So stay away from dairy and if you can’t drink cold stuff, don’t drink it. But I have to heat up my head; I have to drink,” he joked.

Numerous singers, including Mariah Carey and Brandy, have used honey and herbal teas over the years to maintain the health of their voices.

Interestingly, international singers including Adele, Mariah Carey herself and Celine Dion have had to undergo surgery to repair vocal cord damage, while Jamaican artist Shenseea was forced to cancel performances in the UK in early 2019 due to vocal cord trauma.

The Atlanta Institute of Music and Media (AIMM) recommends that singers avoid drinks such as milk or even ice water, especially before performances, and instead drink warm water or warm drinks such as ginger tea and potions with honey.

According to the institute, it is crucial for artists to understand the connection between their vocal health and the drinks they consume before a performance.

“Singing teachers and music teachers generally agree that your choice of drink can significantly affect your vocal cords, impacting your vocal range and overall singing ability,” the institute noted in a 2018 article.

“Although their effects may be temporary, certain drinks can irritate your vocal cords, making it difficult to perform flawlessly. For optimal singing performance, your vocal cords need to be relaxed and soothed, not inflamed or constricted,” it continues.

The AIMM considered that sitting through a performance with irritated vocal cords – whether due to a sore throat, inadequate warm-up exercise or choosing inappropriate drinks – can lead to long-term damage to vocal health.

The AIMM listed milk as one of the liquids to avoid before a performance, explaining that it “tends to clog the throat and stimulate increased mucus production,” which can lead to singers constantly having to clear their throats and a noticeable reduction in vocal flexibility during singing performances.

The AIMM also stated that the excess mucus caused by milk could negatively affect the quality of the singing voice, possibly producing a croaking sound or the impression of a brittle voice.

It pointed out that ice-cold water is not the best option for singers before a singing performance, as cold temperatures constrict the throat muscles and thereby cause them to lose flexibility.

“For singers, throat flexibility is critical to a fluid singing performance because it allows them to reach their full vocal range effortlessly and without strain.”

It went on to say that singers should drink room temperature water or a warm drink instead of ice cold water. This will help them relax their throats and ensure that their vocal cords are “prepared for the high notes and complex melodies”.

The institute stressed that honey’s natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for combating vocal strain and preventing sore throats, which are common among singers.

It has also been suggested that incorporating honey into the pre-performance routine can help keep the vocal cords in optimal condition, allowing a singer’s talent to shine without being hampered by a croaky voice or sore throat.