Veteran selector Frankie Sly says Bounty Killer played a decisive role in launching Tony Matterhorn’s career.
According to Frankie, the Warlord personally lobbied producer Dave Kelly to hand Matterhorn a dub package on the Fully Loaded rhythm, setting up the juggling that changed the selector’s life.
Frankie also revealed his own part in the story. He helped get the dubplates cut late on the night before that breakout session, and he suggested that not everyone remembers the people who helped them along the way.
By Frankie’s account, Matterhorn was not the obvious choice for the rhythm. Frankie admitted he knew little about him at the time.
While Dave Kelly was building Fully Loaded, Dr. Dre of Renaissance was a regular presence in the studio.
“Our brethren Dr. Dre was there with us every day,” he recalled.
Kelly had reportedly been willing to give Dre the rhythm, though only as an individual and not under the Renaissance banner.
Frankie said he did not know what was happening between Dre and the sound at the time. He also noted that Kelly still had not settled on who would debut the rhythm, and that Stone Love seemed the more likely destination.
That was when Bounty Killer stepped in. Frankie said Killer argued for Matterhorn even though Matterhorn was not in the room, and Kelly listened.
Killer then picked up the phone and called Matterhorn, who was overseas, asking him “when you are coming to Jamaica?” Matterhorn said he would arrive closer to the weekend.
“So killer is responsible for that,” Frankie said.
With the decision made, the team set about building a dub package for Matterhorn. Frankie believes Bounty Killer voiced a dub, possibly his “Showtime” song. Frankie said he voiced one himself, and Shabba Ranks also voiced on the rhythm.
When Matterhorn landed, he called Killer and was directed to the studio, where the dubs were waiting. Frankie said that was the first time he met him.
The dubs still had to be cut before they could be played, and it was already late in the evening. Frankie said he called Bill, the owner of a dub cutting operation, who told him he was closing.
Frankie pleaded with him, explaining that this was the Fully Loaded tune “we are going to mash up the world tomorrow.” He credited their longstanding relationship for Bill agreeing to wait.
Dave Kelly gave Frankie the money for the dubplates, which he recalled as six in total. Frankie drove Matterhorn there himself in his small car, which he described as “My first car.” When they arrived, Bill charged less than expected.
“Bill look at me and say Frankie pay me for four,” he said.
The leftover cash covered fuel. “So we end up get our gas money,” he said, adding that he never asked Matterhorn for anything. “I never need no money from him.”
After the dubs were cut, Frankie said he drove Matterhorn to his mother’s home rather than leaving him to find his own way, then returned to his own place. The next day, a Saturday, Matterhorn played the juggling.
“Him life change from that day,” Frankie said. He acknowledged that much success followed later, but he maintained that the night set the course of Matterhorn’s career. “I’m going to say so with no apology,” he added.
Frankie was clear that he is not making a direct accusation against Matterhorn. He said he has seen him since and spoken with him, and he stopped short of claiming that Matterhorn has forgotten. He framed his remarks as a broader lesson about loyalty in the business.
“Some people have short memory,” he said. “I’m not saying he does. I don’t know.”
His message for the next generation was simple. “You have to remember the road to success,” he said. “Remember the people that help you along the way.”
