Vybz Kartel Claims $73 Million From ‘To Tanesha’ Album, Slams Critics
The album To Tanesha has grossed Vybz Kartel upwards of J$73 million, since its release on January 10 this year, the incarcerated dancehall artiste has claimed.
The revelation came after Vybz Kartel, or one of the agents managing his official VybzKartelRadio YouTube channel, chose not to mince words in responding to naysayers, who were opposed to Onstage TV host Winford Williams’ use of the platform to promote the convicted artiste’s music who, according to them, was undeserving of publicity. Williams debuted a new Kartel song on the Saturday (May 16) night show titled, About Us which will appear on HOT 97 icon Bobby Konders’ Massive B Vol 2 compilation.
The Worl’ Boss responded directly to one of several YouTube users, who said “nothing should be heard from him” whilst he was behind bars and that his conduct could not take place in North America, comments which obviously irritated the Calabar High School old boy.
“Me just sell gold certified by the RIAA in America. Only sh-t house boasty slaves chat outta unuh b-tty. Me make 73 million Jamaican off a di album this far and Fever soon reach platinum. And like I always to say, my kids are living like stars. How are your kids doing?” Kartel said in his verbal rampage, showing that he was incarcerated but not silenced.
The subject of his attack responded an hour later, with a strong rebuke of his own, aimed at the 44 year old Any Weather singer.
“My kids are fine. Prison is the best place for you Kartel. You remember when you use to DJ for just a bag juice. You fine yourself a prison for 2 pair a shoes when you could buy a shoes factory. Now you find yourself a prison sleeping with man. Talented but not discipline; that’s why you are where you are,” he countered.
The J$73 million grossing album referenced by Kartel is his last project dubbed To Tanesha, which was released on January 10. The 10-track body of work was dedicated to the Portmore native’s common-law wife, Tanesha “Shorty” Johnson.
The album was co-produced by Short Boss Muzik and Vybz Kartel Muzik, and engineered by Ricardo “RedBoomSupaMix” Reid and featured artistes such as Jesse Royal, Jada Kingdom and Sikka Rymes.
Except for his lost appeal in April, Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Azim Palmer, has been on a winning streak since 2020 began, eclipsing his accomplishments in 2019. Fever, which was produced by TJ Records and released in 2016, was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in February, after the song which was featured on his album King Of The Dancehall, reached sales of more than 500,000 copies.
Following its release, To Tanesha made it onto the top iTunes charts for current albums in the Hip Hop category, and peaked at 87 on Billboard’s Top 100 album charts.
Vybz Kartel is expected to release a second and even bigger album this year, titled Of Dons & Divas. The crowded 16-track project will be his 15th studio album and will feature some trusted collaborators including fellow monarch Spice, 6ix boss Squash, Up Top boss TeeJay, and former protoje Tommy Lee Sparta.
Kartel’s sons Likkle Addi and Likkle Vybz, American rapper Jucee Froot, 6ix deejay Daddy1, Skillibeng, GAZA ‘VP’ Sikka Rymes, GAZA ‘First Lady’ Lisa Hyper, GAZA Slimatic, Lisa Mercedez and Daniiboo also appear on the album which is slated for release in June 2020.
