Grindsman Says He’s Seeking “Fair Share” From Vybz Kartel Over ‘Benz Punany’

Dancehall veteran Grindsman insists that he’s not focused on Vybz Kartel’s wealth but only wants fair compensation for the use of his work.

The artist, whose real name is Joseph Green, has been getting a lot of flak from Gaza supporters since he threatened legal action against Vybz Kartel over the 2010 song Benz Punany, demanding compensation for the unauthorized use of his 1990 original’s lyrics and melody.

While acknowledging in a 2023 interview that the remake had boosted his career, Grindsman has flipped the script and now intends to seek royalties for the song, which was produced by Ainsley ‘NotNice’ Morris on his S-Class riddim project. 

“I got my performing rights for the song through PRS but mi never get my  mechanical rights. Kartel, yu do my ting and it go viral, and it sell millions, so mi need my fair share,” Grindsman told DancehallMag on Wednesday.

“I dont want to chastise him, throw dirt on his name, or throw him under the bus. I just want my fair share. How him fi say me bad mind when him tek my tings. Mi ah talk with my lawyer.”

Kartel’s version of Benz Punaany has been released in multiple versions appearing across different projects during the World Boss”  2011-2014 era, even popping on albums like Vybz Kartel Dancehall Hits.

The song frequently ranks among the World Boss’ top-played tracks, with over 4 million streams across streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple, according to 2026 data. A video has also racked up 32 million views on YouTube, while another audio has generated over 10 million views.

“Mi ah go sue for physical and emotional damages and distress. Greensleeves sold the rights to VP, so I have legal representation to secure my own interests,” Grindsman said. 

Vybz Kartel has fired back, appearing unbothered by the threats and standing his ground against the legal challenge. 

Grindsman, despite the backlash, is sticking to his guns. 

“It nuh mek no sense, ah me one ah show respect. Kartel sing over mi song inna 2010, and by the following year, 2011, he was incarcerated. So mi feel say when him come out, him ah go link and show respect, you know, mek mi do two show two combo, but that never happen,” Grindsman said. 

“This man sing over my original song, Benz Punaany, him alive and well, and mi need get some work, why him couldn’t give me some recognition and make the promoters dem see me so mi can get up back inna the tour format and settings. Him no recognize say me alive?” he added.

He said that Kartel’s version is no mere interpolation because of the extent to which he ‘borrowed’ the lyrics. 

“Kartel do my punchline and the verse, him just put in four lines for himself and the rest is mine,” he said.

Grindsman referenced a recent interview during which Vybz Kartel sat down with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN for Episode 443 of Drink Champs. During the episode, an interviewer asked Kartel to choose between Grindsman and Terry Ganzie.

“He could have told N.O.R.E and them that he would make a song with Grindsman, he only told them I was the artiste for which he revoiced a hook of Benz Punaany, he told them it was only the hook, he forgot to tell them it was the whole book,” Grindsman said, laughing. 

“Everybody know say is more than the hook, is the hook, line and sinker.”

He demanded respect from Kartel who he knew from Waterford back in the days when Kartel was a child. He is insisting on the ‘principle’ behind the whole situation that he is defending. 

“Ah me mek him do music, ah me mek an impact for him to do over my song when him was at the height of his popularity. Me is him teacher, ah my song him use, mi no care how big him is now, he had to start from somewhere and ah me mek him do music. I am not a hard person, I gave him the chance to come and say something, ah years now, and nothing, so anything mi say,” Grindsman said.

Grindsman said that he is eyeing possible bookings such as Best of the Best and even Rebel Salute as potential gigs in the future. “I am fit and ready to do all these shows,” he said. 

He can be reached for bookings at kinggrecords68@gmail.com.

Grindsman was a significant figure in the dancehall scene during the late 80s and early 90s, particularly recognized for his work in the “hardcore ragga” style of the era.  His most famous song, “Benz Punany” (produced by Leroy ‘Red Dragon’ May), was considered one of the iconic “girl songs” or “slackness” hits of its time. He had hits like “Action Pack” (1992), “Kibba Yu Mouth” (1993) and “Rude Bwoy No Powder” (1993).

Grindsman’s career was later hindered by a subsequent move away from Jamaica, causing him to be out of the local limelight for a period.