Essential Kartel: Vybz Kartel’s 30 Most Essential Tunes

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Words by Max Glazer and the LargeUp Crew, Image by Ellen G

Addijah Palmer, better known as Vybz Kartel will soon learn his fate and, right now, the outlook is not good for the artist alternately known as the Worl’ Boss and Addi Di Teacha. But is Kartel’s reign as dancehall’s Worl’ Boss over? It’s too tough to call. Whatever your view of Kartel, two things are certain: he has had an extraordinary, and perhaps unmatched, hold on dancehall music in the last decade, and he has also been one of the genre’s most prolific artists ever, right through his now 30-month long incarceration. With this in mind, we decided to go extra long on our latest countdown, highlighting Kartel’s 30 most essential tunes. Because any smaller number would simply not be sufficient.

Touch a button and start the list here.

30. “Dancehall Hero”

Kartel perfectly summed up his dominant role in dancehall circa 2010 with this track on ZJ Chrome’s Dancehall EFX riddim, illustrating all of the ways “Everything weh mi do dem follow.” Kartel could do no wrong as far as dancehall fans were concerned in 2010, and “Dancehall Hero,” with its hilarious, on-point analysis of other dancehall artists’ preoccupation with him, shows exactly why. —Jesse Serwer

29. Bounty Killer featuring Vybz Kartel—”Gal Clown”

Kartel had been writing for Bounty Killer, starting with a song called “Warlord’s World” but this was the first time he was heard flexing his lyrical dexterity alongside his mentor, with the two deejaying line for line. —Max Glazer

28. Jay-Z featuring Pharrell, Vybz Kartel and Wayne Marshall—”Frontin” Remix

I produced this with Cipha Sounds and Disco D, but I think it’s pretty important. This was not a bootleg remix. It was officially commissioned by the Neptunes’ label, Star Trak—Cipha Sounds was working as A&R there at the time— and appeared on the Def Jamaica compilation. This was huge just in terms of Kartel (and Wayne Marshall) appearing alongside Pharell and Jay on an official major-label release. Also, the album was Grammy nominated. — Max Glazer

27. “Start Well”

An early hip-hop fusion production from producer Don Corleon is the musical foundation for this gem from Kartel’s first album, Up 2 Di Time. “Start Well” wasn’t a huge international hit for Kartel but absolutely locked the streets of Jamaica. — Max Glazer

26. “Real Badman”

This 2011 track on TJ Records’ Gaza World riddim is one of several Kartel tunes with the title “Real Badman.” Kartel’s vocal delivery on the verses is frightening enough to send children scattering, but it’s offset with sweet singing over the chorus, showing that real badman are seductively smooth as well and don’t need singers to guest spot on their singles. —Saxon Baird

25. “Summertime”

Part of a wave of summery, party-themed releases in 2011, “Summertime” was Kartel’s last big hit of that year. It might have been an even bigger tune it not for Kartel’s arrest in September of that year. —Jesse Serwer

24. Young Jeezy featuring Akon, Sizzla, Shabba and Kartel —”Gun Session (Soul Survivor Remix)”

This super hardcore bootleg remix of Young Jeezy and Akon’s 2005 hit “Soul Survivor” featured a rapid fire verse from Vybz Kartel, and murderous lyrics from Shabba Ranks alongside Sizzla. It completely took over the streets, becoming an underground anthem that can still be heard well beyond the dancehall world. —Max Glazer

23. “Picture This (You and Me)” (2004)

One of many big slack tunes from Vybz, this early offering takes well-worn dancehall subject matter and injects it with mischievous originality while dirtying a classic children’s rhyme that would have even stuffy, uptown Kingstonians giggling to themselves. —Saxon Baird

22.”Sweet to the Belly”

“Sweet To The Belly” is a classic example of the creativity Kartel has always brought to dancehall. Don Corleon’s Egyptian riddim provided the perfect backdrop for the up and coming deejay to deal with the girls courtesy of a cleverly placed sample. —Max Glazer

21. Nina Sky vs. Vybz Kartel —”Move Ya Body”

Another early example of a U.S. based artist reaching out to Kartel for some island flavor, “Move Ya Body” was masterminded by Hot 97’s Cipha Sounds and built on the Coolie Dance riddim. When the song blew up, Vybz Kartel was requested for a remix to give it an extra boost and also help connect what had become an international hit to its Caribbean roots.—Max Glazer

20.”School”

“School” is a perfect example of the contradiction that is Vybz Kartel/Adidja Palmer. The tune is a straightforward directive to the youth of Jamaica to “Pull up yuh pants and put it pon yuh waist, and tuck in yuh shirt and don’t bleach yuh face…” released by a man with bleached skin covered in tattoos while in prison awaiting trial for murder. —Max Glazer

19. Rihanna feat. Vybz Kartel—”Whats My Name” (Remix)

Submitted as an official dancehall remix for Rihanna’s hit song with original verses from Vybz, and eventually released as a bootleg, this version of “What’s My Name” shows Kartel’s ability to seamlessly blend dancehall with a chart topping pop hit and move from the slackest, most X-rated lyrics to a radio friendly singalong without missing a beat. —Max Glazer

18. “Street Vybz”

There are couple of commercials we hate, some we tolerate and then there are some with jingles so catchy we can’t help ourselves from singing. Vybz Kartel’s “Street Vybz” off the Street Vybz Riddim, however, delves deeper into our subconscious. To market his rum brand of the same name, Kartel devised a track that would not just promote his product but also infiltrate dancehall parties with infectious vocals, captivating lyricism and a pulsating riddim. The song is a prime example of Kartel’s uncanny knack for savvy marketing. —Maj Johnson

17. “Go Go Wine”

While Kartel’s work with Dre Skull can be divisive, “Go Go Wine” is a universally captivating track. With its brooding tone, the underscores a different Worl’ Boss whose vocals are looser and less frantic here than in his earlier seminal work; the result is a darkly libidinous offering that is much more about Kartel’s raw persona on the mic than it is about a stripper. —Saxon Baird

16. “Worl’ Boss”

Clocking in at only a minute and twenty seconds, “Worl’ Boss” sounds more like a freestyle than an official release. Regardless of the length, This ushered in the era of the “Worl’ Boss”, the latest in a string of stage names used by Adidja Palmer, starting with Adi Banton. —Max Glazer

15. Vybz Kartel feat. Beenie Man —”Breast Specialist”

Having begun his career writing for Bounty Killer and rising to fame as a member of the Alliance, many people were surprised when Kartel severed ties with Killer and the crew. Even more surprising to some was hearing this combination on the Scoobay riddim with Beenie Man, Bounty’s long time nemesis. “Breast Specialist” is pure Kartel girl business, with the two artists trading lyrics line for line for the ladies. —Max Glazer

14. “Benz Punanny”

A flip of a ‘90s dancehall classic by Grindsman, this Notnice production set off clubs in 2010. While profoundly offensive for some—it describes a woman’s vagina in terms of an automobile—it’s good for a laugh, too, for those with a sense of humor. Musically, it’s not the beat that carries the song, but the lyrics—DJs have actually gone and made edits of it adding kick drums to account for its limited bass. —DJ Gravy

13. Vybz Kartel feat. Russian —”Jeans and Fitted”

This song does something that might be overlooked if you’re not paying attention to the lyrical dialogue between Vybz and producer Rvssian, who appears as a lyricist on this track. While “Straight Jeans and Fitted” might seem like a regular party tune about fashions, the song with Vybz reppin’ Portmore and Russian claiming “Uptown,” was a major statement about people from ghetto and privileged areas meeting on common ground. —DJ Gravy

12. “Dollar Sign”

One of the many Kartel songs that have been embraced by urban mixshow DJs, “Dollar Sign” seemed to reach much further into the psyche of American audiences, aided by the complementary popularity of Mr. Vegas’ uplifting “I Am Blessed,” also on the same Good Life riddim. —Max Glazer

11. “Cake Soap”

Vybz Kartel’s physical appearance began to change in the late 2000s, as the formerly dark-skinned Addi di Teacha suddenly began appearing well, let’s just say lighter. Always the provocateur, Kartel toyed with his critics’ perceptions of him on “Cake Soap,” a track released at the height of his popularity, and backlash. That said, with it’s breezy, repetitive hook, it’s a track that can be appreciated without any understanding of that controversy, and even by those who found Kartel’s controversial grooming methods deplorable.—Jesse Serwer

10. “Life Sweet”

One of Kartel’s great “reality” records, “Life Sweet” shows Vybz Kartel’s awareness and ability to articulate the issues of growing up in the streets of Jamaica. While explaining the various struggles, ultimately it’s the positivity and optimism of the song that shines through with it’s refrain, “na na na na na na, life sweet…” The opening line, “weh dem call police for?” also guarantees a big forward in any dance. —Max Glazer

9. “Sen Fi Mi Army”

“Sen Fi Mi Army” is the quintessential collaboration between Kartel and Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor in an era when “Di Genius” changed the direction of dancehall with a unique new sound and war was in the air. —Max Glazer

8. “Ramping Shop”

This sexually explicit duet between Kartel and Spice was recorded as a mixtape joint for the streets with no intention of being anything more. Somehow or another, the X-rated anthem using the beat from Ne-Yo’s “Miss Independent” made a splash on mainstream urban radio, albeit with about half of the lyrics bleeped out. Funny thing is, it may be Vybz’s only song to get that kind of play in the States even though it was banned from the radio back in Jamaica. —DJ Gravy

7. “Touch Ah Button Nuh”

One of Kartel’s most serious badman records with a riddim built by Brooklyn’s Ricky Blaze, the tension in this song builds with every bar as Kartel lets loose a rapid fire lyrical assault. —Max Glazer

6. Major Lazer feat. Vybz Kartel – “Pon De Floor”

With only a small piece of Vybz Kartel vocals used on this track from Major Lazer’s debut album, Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do, the whole worl’ was surprised when it became an international hit, carrying the unmistakable sound of his voice to corners of the globe where it had certainly never before been heard.—Max Glazer

5. “Go Go Club“/“Freaky Gal”

Vybz Kartel’s work relationships come and go like the wind. Over the years the Worl’ Boss has famously fallen out with mentors, managers, proteges and producers, typically in dramatic fashion. But his relationship with producer Rvssian has been an enduring one. For his breakthrough riddim, Go Go Club, Rvssian assembled an all-star cast including Tarrus Riley and Elephant Man but it was Kartel’s turn on the title track, and also “My Money” by Gaza underlings Merital, (featuring Kartel’s memorable “ha ha” adlib) that stood out. “Go Go Club” is also notable as one of Kartel’s “freaky gyal” anthems; more than just sex tunes, Kartel has always painted these tracks as empowerment anthems for women looked down upon in society (and often dancehall lyrics), a theme he expounds upon in his manifesto, The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto. See also the equally classic “Freaky Gyal.” —Jesse Serwer

4. “New Millenium” feat. Wayne Marshall

This combination with Wayne Marshall was probably Kartel’s first legitimate dancehall hit. Voiced on Don Corleon’s Mad Ants riddim, it could easily be considered a starting point for the barrage of hits he has unleashed for 12 straight years. “New Millenium,” which was also Kartel’s first video, paired with another combination tune with Marshall called “Why You Doing It,” perfectly showcases the unique combination of lyrical style and voice that captivated the dancehall world.—Max Glazer

3. “Tek Buddy”

“Tek Buddy” helped usher in a new era of slackness in dancehall lyrics that has continued to get more and more extreme. It was a massive hit early in his career and the unique voice, style and flow caught the ears of DJs far beyond Jamaica’s dancehall circles.—Max Glazer

2. “Yuh Love “

Vybz had already demonstrated his melodic side on tracks like 2008’s “Never Love Another” but ironically his first single with US producer Dre Skull proved to be his most enduring lover’s track to date; the way the riddim’s haunting sub-bassline matched Vybz’ flow and expanded his sonic range makes “Yuh Love” a true classic. —Eddie STATS

1. “Clarks” feat. Popcaan and Gaza Slim

Vybz Kartel was by no means the first dancehall artist to make a song acknowledging the time honored Jamaican tradition of sporting Clarks shoes. But the impact Kartel had with 2010’s “Clarks” is the best reflection Worl’ Boss at his peak, both in terms of songwriting and hype building. With its instantly classic lines (“Real badman nuh model inna shorts/Straight jeans cut off foot pants/ Everybody haffi ask weh mi get mi Clarks”), it remains one of Kartel’s most quotable tunes. It would also prove to be the track which launched the career of eventual Kartel heir apparent Popcaan.

Equally notable was its impact on the sales and prices of Clarks shoes. At the peak of the song’s popularity in June 2010, the The Guardian even had me write an article investigating the phenomenon, which made the front page of the venerable U.K. paper’s Film & Arts section. “Clarks” would eventually become a whole trilogy, followed up subsequently by “Clarks Again”—a collaboration with producer Rvssian worthy of an honorable mention here—and “Clarks Pt. 3,” aka “Wear Weh Yuh Have.” —Jesse Serwer