Vybz Kartel

Vybz Kartel, born 7 January 1976 in Kingston, Jamaica, is a dancehall deejay known by nicknames such as “Worl’ Boss,” “Teacha,” and “King of the Dancehall.” He began recording in 1993 and rose to prominence in the early 2000s, first as a protégé of Bounty Killer and later as head of his own crew, the Portmore Empire, and his own label, Adidjahiem/Notnice Records. Rolling Stone described him as having reached folk-hero status in Jamaica through provocative lyrics and a mischievous public persona. Drake has called him one of his biggest inspirations.

His best-known songs include “Romping Shop” with Spice (2009), which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, and the “Clarks” series (2010), which was so popular it boosted sales of the shoe brand in Jamaica. He has also collaborated with Major Lazer, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and Travis Scott. His public feud with Mavado split Jamaican fans into two factions, “Gaza” and “Gully,” and drew in the Prime Minister, who tried to broker a truce in 2009. He also moved into business with Street Vybz Rum, his own shoe line, and the reality show Teacha’s Pet.

In 2014 he was convicted of the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams and sentenced to life in prison. He kept releasing music throughout his imprisonment, including the 2016 album King of the Dancehall and its gold-certified single “Fever.” In March 2024 the UK Privy Council quashed his conviction over juror misconduct, and he was freed on 31 July 2024 after the Jamaican Court of Appeal declined to order a retrial. In 2025 he received a Grammy nomination for Party With Me and set up a foundation for Hurricane Melissa relief in Jamaica.