Vybz Kartel
Adidja Azim Palmer (born 7 January 1976), better known as Vybz Kartel, is a Jamaican dancehall artist. Among his various nicknames, he is referred to as Worl' Boss, Teacha and King of Dancehall. As summarized by Rolling Stone, he "attained folk-hero status in Jamaica with provocative lyrics, and a mischievous public persona", and "few have captivated [the dancehall] audience – or offended the sensibilities of its detractors – as consistently and thoroughly as Kartel." He has also been credited as an inspiration for the dancehall-infused work of a number of Western artists, including Drake, who has cited Kartel as being one of his "biggest inspirations".
Kartel's singles include "Romping Shop" (2009), "Dancehall Hero" (2010), and "Summer Time" (2011). He has collaborated with a number of hip hop and R&B artists such as Major Lazer, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Travis Scott and Alison Hinds.
In 2014, Kartel was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his associate Clive "Lizard" Williams. Kartel often released new music despite his imprisonment, having released over 50 new songs in 2016 alone. His conviction was quashed in March 2024 by the UK Judicial Committee of the Privy Council...
Listen to Vybz Kartel
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Albums
God and Time
Heart & Soul
Viking (Vybz Is King): 10th Year Anniversary
Party With Me
Numb
True Religion
Born Fi Dis (Prelude)
X-Rated
Of Dons & Divas
To Tanesha
King of the Dancehall
Viking (Vybz Is King)
Reggae Love Songs & Other Things
Kartel Forever Disc 2
Kartel Forever Disc 1
Kartel Forever Disc 3
Pon Di Gaza Mi Sey
The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto - Incarcerated But Not Silenced
Rvssian Presents Free Worl Boss
Unstoppable
Gaza 4 Life
Gaza Man Crazy
Mentally Free
Kingston Story: Deluxe Edition
Stronger We Get
The Gaza Don
Pon Di Gaza 2.0
Pon Di Gaza
The Teacher's Back
J.M.T.
More Up 2 Di Time
Timeless
Up 2 Di Time
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Recently added
New tracks from recent catalogue imports.
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Only Gets Better (Forever)Vybz Kartel · Dancehall
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Cinderella BallroomVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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Heart and SoulVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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In Too DeepVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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Can't Leave You AloneVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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Ghetto Girl ChosenVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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Bad Bad BadVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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11:45Vybz Kartel · Dancehall
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You Walked AwayVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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I KnowVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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DancehallVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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Porn FlickVybz Kartel · Dancehall
Riddims Vybz Kartel voiced
Decibels Riddim
8 versions · 2013
WYFL Riddim
7 versions · 2026
Egyptian Riddim
7 versions · 2011 · Greensleeves
Story Book Riddim
6 versions
Amharic Riddim
4 versions · 2004 · Father and Son Publishing
Power House Riddim
4 versions
Double Trouble Riddim
4 versions · versions from 2013
Cookie Monster Riddim
3 versions · 2011 · Greensleeves
Songs on JamaicansMusic
787 playable tracks in the catalog.
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UnstoppableVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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SymVybz Kartel · Reggae
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VictoryVybz Kartel · Reggae
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Tony MontannaVybz Kartel · Reggae
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God SaysVybz Kartel · Reggae
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Real Bad GalVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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Drone DemVybz Kartel · Reggae
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Something NewVybz Kartel · Reggae
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Rocket To Da MoonVybz Kartel · Reggae
- 10
X (All Of Your Exes)Vybz Kartel · Reggae
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God Is The GreatestVybz Kartel · Dancehall
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StreetsVybz Kartel · Reggae
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Vinyl & Discography — Vybz Kartel
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Stories about Vybz Kartel from the JamaicansMusic archive, oldest first · 2003–2024
2003
2010
MusicPon Di Gaza 2.0: Vybz Kartel Brands a Movement and Drops One of Dancehall’s Busiest Albums, 2010
With thirty-five tracks and a roster of Gaza-affiliated artists, Pon Di Gaza 2.0 formalises the Gaza Empire as more than a camp — it is a franchise. Kartel is at the height of his commercial and creative powers, and dancehall’s centre of gravity shifts to Portmore.
Music‘Clarks’: Vybz Kartel Turns a Footwear Brand into a Dancehall Phenomenon, 2010
Produced by Dre Skull on the Di Genius riddim, ‘Clarks’ — with Gaza Slim and Popcaan — becomes one of the defining singles of the decade. The song sends sales of the British desert boot soaring in Jamaica and cements Kartel’s gift for turning everyday culture into chart history.
2013
2014
MusicDenyque claims ‘Revenge’ on Vybz Kartel
Once described by Jamaican television personality Anthony Miller, as “Hard Not To Love”, the words indeed best characterize Denyque’s goal as a musician – to make the world fall in love with her and her music
MusicMurder Conviction: Vybz Kartel and Three Co-Accused Found Guilty After 64-Day Trial, March 2014
On March 13, 2014, a Home Circuit Court jury convicts Adidja Palmer, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John by a 10–1 majority for the 2011 killing of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Life sentences with hard labour follow three weeks later. The men maintain their innocence.
2024
CulturePrivy Council Quashes Vybz Kartel’s Murder Conviction Over Juror Bribery Attempt, Sends Retrial Question Back to Jamaica
On March 14, 2024 — ten years to the day after the verdict — the UK’s Judicial Committee of the Privy Council unanimously overturned the 2014 convictions of Adidja Palmer, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Letting a juror accused of offering J$500,000 bribes stay on the panel was ‘fatal to the safety of the convictions,’ the Board ruled.
CulturePrivy Council Quashes Vybz Kartel’s Murder Conviction: Juror Misconduct Renders 2014 Verdict Unsafe, March 2024
Exactly ten years after the jury’s guilty verdict, the UK’s Judicial Committee of the Privy Council unanimously overturns the convictions of Adidja Palmer and his three co-accused. Allowing a juror accused of offering J$500,000 bribes to remain on the panel was ‘fatal to the safety of the convictions,’ the Board rules.
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