Biography
Vybz Kartel emerged from Jamaica as a prominent dancehall figure, recognized for a gritty yet tuneful deejay approach that appealed equally to neighborhood crowds, club environments, and radio listeners. Following the arrival of his first full-length project, Up 2 Di Time in 2003, observers positioned him among the scene’s most promising newcomers. Subsequent releases such as More Up 2 Di Time in 2004 and J.M.T. in 2005, together with further successes including the single “Clarks,” helped broaden his profile beyond Jamaica through guest spots alongside artists like Rihanna, Missy Elliott, and Major Lazer, most notably on the latter’s “Pon de Floor.” Even after receiving a life sentence for murder, he maintained a steady output of widely embraced recordings; “Fever” from 2016 ranked among his strongest tracks and helped drive the accompanying album King of the Dancehall to number two on Billboard’s reggae chart. The overturning of his conviction was marked by the release of the mixtape First Week Out in 2024.
Raised in Jamaica’s Waterford district, Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Azim Palmer, issued his earliest single, “Love Fat Woman,” while still a teenager under the name Adi Banton. Three years afterward, in 1996, he joined Mr. Lee and Escobar to form Vibes Cartel, though the collective disbanded almost immediately. Retaining a slightly altered version of the group’s name, he pursued a solo path and soon became a protégé of leading dancehall performer Bounty Killer, supplying material for Bounty and for acts on the Alliance roster such as Scare Dem Crew, which included Elephant Man.
Independent success arrived for Kartel in 2002 through a run of solo tracks such as “Guns Like Mine,” “Badman,” and “Most High,” along with joint efforts alongside reggae singer Wayne Marshall. Recognition as deejay of the year at Stone Love Sound System’s 30th anniversary celebration confirmed his standing within Jamaica’s dancehall community, yet 2003 brought international visibility when Up 2 Di Time appeared to strong reviews and an onstage confrontation with Ninjaman at the Sting festival in Portmore generated additional attention. Although the clash had been scheduled in advance, physical scuffles produced widespread disorder and multiple arrests; four days later Kartel issued a public apology and declared a truce with Ninjaman at a press conference.
Timeless and More Up 2 Di Time both surfaced in 2004, the year Kartel earned a MOBO nomination in the United Kingdom that was later withdrawn, along with those for Beenie Man and Sizzla, because of concerns over lyrics viewed as homophobic. The J.M.T. album and featured appearances on recordings by Rihanna and Missy Elliott arrived in 2005, yet that period also featured public discord when Kartel and Bounty Killer parted ways amid exchanged criticisms in the Jamaican media concerning personal issues and disputed songwriting attributions. Kartel departed the Killer-led Alliance organization the following year and promptly aligned with one of Bounty’s chief rivals, Beenie Man, before issuing multiple diss records aimed at Bounty’s newest protégé.
Subsequent years brought continued diss tracks and public speculation, with younger dancehall audiences aligning as Gaza supporters of Kartel or Gully backers of Mavado. A truce was declared late in 2007, but tensions resurfaced throughout 2008; in 2009 Kartel offered the single “Live We Living” as an appeal for calm. That same year he collaborated outside conventional dancehall boundaries, teaming with electro producer Diplo on a contribution to Major Lazer’s Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do. Domestic divisions between Gaza and Gully factions had grown so intense that associated gang violence prompted Prime Minister Bruce Golding to summon both artists to the capital for a peace discussion. Plans for a joint peace concert early the next year were ultimately blocked by the Minister of Culture.
Also in 2009 the single “Clarks” achieved major success for Kartel and generated two additional chart-climbing tracks centered on the same footwear brand. The 2010 album Pon Di Gaza 2.0 yielded the hits “Ramping Shop” and “Life Sweet.” In 2011 Vybz issued Kingston Story, an album whose beats were crafted by Brooklyn house producer Dre Skull. Arrested in September of that year, Kartel faced charges in the murder of music promoter Barrington “Bosie” Burton from the St. Catherine suburb of Portmore. A deluxe edition of Kingston Story appeared via the Vice label in America in 2012; although Kartel secured bail on the Burton case, fresh charges tied to the killing of alleged gang member Clive “Lizard” Williams kept him detained.
Early 2014 brought a life sentence, yet authorities permitted continued recording behind bars, allowing new music to circulate publicly. King of the Dancehall, issued in 2016, reached number two on Billboard’s reggae chart, a personal best for the deejay, aided by the popularity of “Fever.” The albums To Tanesha and Of Dons & Divas followed in 2020, the latter becoming Kartel’s fifth Top Ten reggae album in the United States. Born Fi Dis appeared in 2021, the same year he released X-Rated, the first of several EPs issued over the ensuing period. Kartel’s murder conviction was overturned in March 2024, after which the mixtape First Week Out, compiling previously unreleased material, arrived soon afterward.
Raised in Jamaica’s Waterford district, Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Azim Palmer, issued his earliest single, “Love Fat Woman,” while still a teenager under the name Adi Banton. Three years afterward, in 1996, he joined Mr. Lee and Escobar to form Vibes Cartel, though the collective disbanded almost immediately. Retaining a slightly altered version of the group’s name, he pursued a solo path and soon became a protégé of leading dancehall performer Bounty Killer, supplying material for Bounty and for acts on the Alliance roster such as Scare Dem Crew, which included Elephant Man.
Independent success arrived for Kartel in 2002 through a run of solo tracks such as “Guns Like Mine,” “Badman,” and “Most High,” along with joint efforts alongside reggae singer Wayne Marshall. Recognition as deejay of the year at Stone Love Sound System’s 30th anniversary celebration confirmed his standing within Jamaica’s dancehall community, yet 2003 brought international visibility when Up 2 Di Time appeared to strong reviews and an onstage confrontation with Ninjaman at the Sting festival in Portmore generated additional attention. Although the clash had been scheduled in advance, physical scuffles produced widespread disorder and multiple arrests; four days later Kartel issued a public apology and declared a truce with Ninjaman at a press conference.
Timeless and More Up 2 Di Time both surfaced in 2004, the year Kartel earned a MOBO nomination in the United Kingdom that was later withdrawn, along with those for Beenie Man and Sizzla, because of concerns over lyrics viewed as homophobic. The J.M.T. album and featured appearances on recordings by Rihanna and Missy Elliott arrived in 2005, yet that period also featured public discord when Kartel and Bounty Killer parted ways amid exchanged criticisms in the Jamaican media concerning personal issues and disputed songwriting attributions. Kartel departed the Killer-led Alliance organization the following year and promptly aligned with one of Bounty’s chief rivals, Beenie Man, before issuing multiple diss records aimed at Bounty’s newest protégé.
Subsequent years brought continued diss tracks and public speculation, with younger dancehall audiences aligning as Gaza supporters of Kartel or Gully backers of Mavado. A truce was declared late in 2007, but tensions resurfaced throughout 2008; in 2009 Kartel offered the single “Live We Living” as an appeal for calm. That same year he collaborated outside conventional dancehall boundaries, teaming with electro producer Diplo on a contribution to Major Lazer’s Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do. Domestic divisions between Gaza and Gully factions had grown so intense that associated gang violence prompted Prime Minister Bruce Golding to summon both artists to the capital for a peace discussion. Plans for a joint peace concert early the next year were ultimately blocked by the Minister of Culture.
Also in 2009 the single “Clarks” achieved major success for Kartel and generated two additional chart-climbing tracks centered on the same footwear brand. The 2010 album Pon Di Gaza 2.0 yielded the hits “Ramping Shop” and “Life Sweet.” In 2011 Vybz issued Kingston Story, an album whose beats were crafted by Brooklyn house producer Dre Skull. Arrested in September of that year, Kartel faced charges in the murder of music promoter Barrington “Bosie” Burton from the St. Catherine suburb of Portmore. A deluxe edition of Kingston Story appeared via the Vice label in America in 2012; although Kartel secured bail on the Burton case, fresh charges tied to the killing of alleged gang member Clive “Lizard” Williams kept him detained.
Early 2014 brought a life sentence, yet authorities permitted continued recording behind bars, allowing new music to circulate publicly. King of the Dancehall, issued in 2016, reached number two on Billboard’s reggae chart, a personal best for the deejay, aided by the popularity of “Fever.” The albums To Tanesha and Of Dons & Divas followed in 2020, the latter becoming Kartel’s fifth Top Ten reggae album in the United States. Born Fi Dis appeared in 2021, the same year he released X-Rated, the first of several EPs issued over the ensuing period. Kartel’s murder conviction was overturned in March 2024, after which the mixtape First Week Out, compiling previously unreleased material, arrived soon afterward.
Albums

I Promise You
2025

A John John Masterpiece
2025

Dancehall Riddim: Assault Rifle
2025

Viking (Vybz Is King) : 10th Year Anniversary
2025

Viking (Vybz Is King): 10th Year Anniversary
2025

Str8 Vybz
2025

Christmas
2024

Undisputed Champion
2024

John John Dancehall Riddims: Cash Register
2024

John John Dancehall Riddims: Target
2024

First Week Out
2024

Murder in The First Degree
2024

Dancehall Riddim: G String
2024

Swallow
2023

Bend Like Banana
2023

Fake
2023

You Can't Say
2023

Mind Your Own Business
2023

Hostile
2023

Perfect Summer
2023

Nuh Dweet
2023

Dancehall Riddim: Panty Raid
2023

Jersey Party
2023

Dancehall Generals
2023

Shootaz
2023

About Last Night
2023

Dancehall Hero (Deluxe) (Edited)
2023

Likkle Bit So
2022

Vybz Kartel Dancehall Hits
2022

Too Young
2022

Stimulus
2022

Tad's Dancehall Matrixx, Vol. 1 (Edit)
2021

Lucky Pussy
2021

Kingston Story
2021

Nice Suh
2021

Do It If Yuh Bad
2021

Born Fi Dis (Prelude)
2021

Beautiful Human
2021

Every Hustler
2021

New Moon Pon Saturn
2021

It Nuh Hard
2020

How Me Grow
2020

Like I'm Superman
2019

Can't Get Me Down
2019

Day Rave (Drop Dem Riddim)
2019

Any Weather
2019

Designa Vagina
2019

Won't Work
2018

Dancehall: Vybz Kartel
2018

Stand Up (Remix)
2018

One Box
2018

Make up Sex
2018

My Boo
2018

Party
2017

Jamaica Land We Love
2017

Keep Him
2017

High School Dropout
2017

Catch a Fire
2017

Clarks de mixtape (DJ Wayne Remix) (Edited)
2017

Kremlin (Produced by Rvssian)
2017

Pregnant (No Mama)
2017

Take Lead Riddim
2017

Don't Come Back
2017

Mhm Hm
2017

So Easy
2017

Luxury Doll
2017

Born Again Virgin
2017

Vybz Kartel Selects Reggae Dancehall
2017

Remember Me
2017

Black & White
2017

Highest Level
2017

Reverb No Delay
2017

Pretty Little House
2016

You Make Me Cry
2016

Emoji
2016

Bgf (Bad Gyal Fuck)
2016

Number One
2016

Couldn't
2016

Too Lie
2016

True Friends
2016

Ready Fi Work
2016

Yuh Body Perfect
2016

Best Place Pon Earth
2016

Win (Usain & Team Jamaica Dedication)
2016

Strong
2016

White Line - Single
2016

Position - Single
2016

My Girl - Single
2016

Tell Me If Yuh Like It
2016

Bet Mi Money
2016

House a Bun Dung
2016

Dancehall Hero
2015

Bay Bay
2015

Think Bout Me
2015

Anabella - Single
2015

Magic School Bus
2015

Chain - Single
2015

Kingston Story (Deluxe Edition)
2015

Money Talk - Single
2015

I Don't Give A - Single
2015

Pressure
2015

Dancehall (Remix)
2015

Feel Good
2015

Reggae Love Songs Deluxe Edition
2015

The Goods
2015

Paradise
2015

Viking (Vybz Is King)
2015

New Jordans
2014

Exclusivity
2014

Duet (Deluxe Edition)
2014

Run Road
2014

Supervisor
2014

Love so 2015
2014

A - Bay
2014

Mirror
2014

Pretty Face - Single
2014

Do Di Maths (Wah Do You)
2014

One
2014

Miami Vice Episode - Single
2014

Yellow Yellow
2014

Life Me Say
2014

Reggae Love Songs & Other Things
2014

Duet
2014

Money Can't Buy Friends
2014

John John Presents
2014

Bulletproof - Single
2014

You Want Me
2014

Talk to Dem
2013

Nuh Manny Manny
2013

Hi
2013

Mothers Love - Single
2013

Compass
2013

So Much Gal
2013

No Bed
2013

Rvssian Presents Free Worl Boss
2013

Hold It - Single
2013

Stand By Mi Side (feat. Knowledge)
2013

Unstoppable
2013

Ever Blessed
2012

Gaza 4 Life
2012

Mercy - Single
2012

Yeng Yeng Riddim
2012

Mentally Free
2012

Street Vybz Girl
2012

Life Sweet
2012

The Cure (Fi Badmind)
2012

Amsterdam
2012

Right Now
2012

Back to Life
2012

Ghetto Life
2012

Mile High Club - Single
2011

Half On A Baby
2011

Bicycle Ride - Single
2011

Touch Her That Way
2011

Party - Single
2011

Exchange (Ain't No Robbery)
2011

Fix Up - Single
2011

All Out
2011

Look Pon We
2011

Cya Test We - Single
2010

Better Can Wuk
2010

Pon di Gaza
2009

Most Wanted
2009

Ramping Shop Remake
2009

J.M.T.
2005

More Up 2 Di Time
2004
Singles

Friend Of Mine
2026

Don't Mess Up
2026

Badda Dan Dem
2026

Victory
2026

Baby Father
2026

War Start
2026

Good Like Gold
2026

Hype Life
2026

Victorious
2025

Upside Down
2025

Early 2000 Essentials
2025

No Lie (Amapiano Remix)
2025

No Lie (2025 Remastered)
2025

I Will Love Di Gal
2025

Me Bible Deh Near Me
2025

Amout
2025

Tap
2025

Str8 Vybz
2025

Real Youth
2024

Free
2024

Waistline
2024

You Sey It Tight
2024

Shut Your Mouth
2024

Go Go Club 2.0
2023

Cash
2023

Bend Like Banana
2023

So She Tell Me
2023

So She Tell Me (2023 Remastered Version)
2023

Fake
2023

Can't Escape (Whe Dem a Go Run Go)
2023

You Can't Say
2023

Mind Your Own Business
2023

Hostile
2023

My Love Fi You
2023

Bicycle Pedal
2023

Policy
2023

Ms Ontario
2023

Travel Fox
2023

Bikey
2023

Terror By Night
2023

Mines & Einstein's
2023

Perfect Summer
2023

Big Addi Likkle Addi
2023

No Regret
2023

The King & The Prince
2023

Corrupt
2023

Come Sit Down
2023

Mankind Has No Love
2023

Jersey Party
2023

Boo Him
2023

From Me Born
2023

Colouring Book
2023

Get Wild
2022

Giant
2022

Money
2022

Badman Ting
2022

Politics
2022

Girl Next Door
2022

The Weed
2022

All Heaven
2022

Private Message
2021

Snitch Bitch
2021

Really
2021

Streets
2021

Everybody Bad Till
2021

Right Now
2021

Like Semper Fi
2021

Temptation
2021

Black Woman
2021

Pop Style
2021

Ghetto Youths Rise
2020

Moon Walk
2020

Yami Bolo
2020

Play Our Song
2020

Hard to Love
2020

Red Eye Girl
2020

Thickiana
2020

Incredible
2020

Our Girl
2020

Adiadking
2020

World Government
2020

Protect Them
2019

Scorched Earth
2019

Clarks
2019

Loving Every Minute
2019

Stand Strong
2019

Millennium Gallis
2019

Chip It Off (Re-Release)
2019

I Love You (Re-Release)
2019

Come Home
2019

Deso It Deh
2018

She Say
2018

Rambo Kanambo
2018

Old Time Jamaica
2018

Clarks (Mad Collab Riddim)
2018

Pound of Rice
2018

Real Deal
2018

Dandy Shandy
2018

Picture This
2018

Real Man
2018

Mi Nuh Trust People
2018

Pretty Gal Wine
2018

Duppy Know
2018

Real Bad Gal
2018

Training Wheel
2018

Tell You Say
2018

Sex & the City
2018

Wah Di Duck Get
2018

Ring a Rozy (Produced by ZJ Liquid)
2018

Murda Practice
2018

Taxi
2017

Thank You Mama
2017

Watch over Us
2017

All Aboard
2017

Blackberry
2017

Mash Up the Place
2017

Secret
2017

License to Kill
2017

Female to Male
2017

Ghetto Gospel - Single
2017

No One (Feels Like Christmas)
2017

Pretty Position (Backaz)
2017

I've Been in Love with You
2017

Xxxmas
2016

In Heaven
2016

Good Love
2016

One Phone Call
2016

Think Dem Bad Remix
2016

Bicycle Ride (Soca Remix)
2016

Gates of Heaven
2016

Emergency (Coki-Digital Mystikz Remix)
2016

I'll Take You There
2016

Family - Single
2015

Electric - Single
2015

Cya Defeat We
2015

Pale Blue Dot (Rihanna Wine)
2015

My Life Belongs
2015

Customer Care - Single
2015

Unstoppable
2015

Party Till We Die
2015

My Heaven My Hell - Single
2015

Straight & Narrow
2015

The Road - Single
2015

Money Me a Look
2015

Gon' Get Better
2015

Facebook Like
2015

Dancehall
2015

Change Mi
2015

In Love with You (Success and Strive Riddim)
2015

Punany a Mi Best Friend (Kalibandulu X Kush Electricity Remix)
2015

I've Loved Them All
2015

Hello
2015

We'll Make It
2014

Ignite the World - Single
2014

Bare Vybz
2014

Kill or Die
2014

Have a Little More
2014

6 Missed Calls
2014

Credit Alone Done
2014

Me Mek Yuh Feel Sure
2014

Pretty Position
2014

Show Me Your Motion
2014

Pretty Little Bunny
2014

Sick Inna Mi Head
2014

Road a Paradise
2014

Don't Lie
2014

My Love My Love
2014

Guest House
2014

Mamacita - Single
2014

Revenge
2014

Wickedest Ride
2014

We Never Fear Dem - Gta5
2013

School - Single
2013

Live You Life
2013

Honour Mama
2013

Mi in Love
2013

Peanut Shell
2013

Freaky Gal (Juleen), Pt. 1
2013

Slew Dem Like David
2013

Realize Refix
2012

Love Yuh to Mi Heart
2012

Party Vibes
2012

Miracle - Single
2012

Born Bad
2012

Daddy Devil - Single
2012

Betray Di Gaza Boss
2012

Rifle Shot
2012

Reparation
2012

Dynamite
2012

Summer Time (Part 2)
2012

Party Me Say (Me Say)
2012

Tomorrow People
2012

Ghetto Life
2012

Wine 2 The Bottom
2012

Fire Nation - Single
2012

Naw beg No Gyal
2012

Money Dun
2011

3am - Single
2011

It Bend Like Banana
2011

We Never Fear Dem
2011

Who Trick Him - Single
2011

Nuh More Dan Mi
2011

One Man / Moving On
2011

Protect Me - Single
2011

Step up Inna Life
2011

The Lyricist (Flatline)
2011

Love U Baby
2011

Champagne Bubble - Single
2011

No Man
2010

Touch a Button
2010

Jeans & Fitted
2010

Like a Jockey (Street Groove Riddim)
2010

Clarks Again
2010

Come Back Home
2009

Yuh Love
2009

Usain Bolt Tribute
2009

Tightest Punnani
2008

Up To Di Time
2003
