Vybz Kartel has saved his foot firmly planted at the gasoline pedal ever since his unencumber from jail final summer time (July 31, 2024).
In birthday celebration of the ten-year anniversary of his seminal Viking (Vybz Is King) album, Kartel is liberating a different deluxe version of the set that includes seven new songs on Friday (Jan. 31). From the sanctified Sunday mornings (“God Is the Largest”) to unruly Saturday nights (“Str8 Vybz”), the brand new additions to Viking extend at the similarly susceptible and anthemic qualities of the unique tracklist. The expanded model of Viking (launched by the use of Adidjahiem Information/TJ Information) additionally boasts an eye-popping, X-rated collaboration with dancehall big name Ishawna titled “Porn Flick.”
Launched in 2015 — 3 years into his incarceration — Viking turned into Kartel’s fourth consecutive undertaking to achieve the highest 10 of Reggae Albums (No. 3). The LP spawned a number of hits, together with “Unstoppable,” “Captivating” and “Gon Get Higher,” which used to be sampled by means of 5th Solidarity on their decade-old debut studio album.
The brand new deluxe version of Viking follows a busy previous few months for Worl’ Boss. Mere months after regaining his freedom and serving 13 years of a now-overturned existence sentence for homicide, Kartel fastened Freedom Side road — a star-studded New 12 months’s Eve homecoming live performance that stood as Jamaica’s largest musical exhibit in just about 50 years. Along with his dancehall deejay sons Likkle Addi and Likkle Vybz, a number of different stars got here out to beef up Kartel at Freedom Side road, together with Spice, Popcaan, Skeng, Busta Rhymes, Shatta Wale and extra.
Not up to per week after Freedom Side road, the “Fever” deejay graced Billboard’s first duvet of 2025, wherein he mentioned recording track whilst incarcerated, new track with Cardi B and whose facet he selected in final yr’s bombastic Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud. Within the duvet tale, Kartel additionally reacted to his first profession Grammy nomination, which he earned in the most productive reggae album class along with his Birthday party With Me EP.
“If I wasn’t incarcerated, I might had been nominated already,” he candidly instructed Billboard. “However I perceive, why would they need to nominate a dude in jail? I do know if I wasn’t arrested, in line with the trajectory that my profession used to be on, I might have indubitably received. However I’m very, very thankful.”
On the Feb. 2 rite — which can be held at Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles, Calif. — Kartel will vie for easiest reggae album in opposition to Shenseea (By no means Will get Overdue Right here), Collie Buddz (Take It Simple), The Wailers (Evolution) and the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack. This yr’s Grammys will function a fundraiser to lend a hand the better Los Angeles rebuild after a number of devastating fires.
See the album’s complete tracklist underneath, and pre-order it right here.
1. God Is the Largest*
2. It A Tape*
3. Well mannered*
4. Goals Are Made Of*
5. Str8 Vybz*
6. Porn Flick that includes Ishawna*
7. Gon’ Get Higher
8. Captivating
9. Dancehall Cyah Stall
10. Unstoppable
11. #AmOut*
*new songs
You must be logged in to post a comment Login