Dear Editor,

There’s an ongoing debate in Jamaica about who is the king of dancehall. This debate clearly indicates that fans will be fans. Even though I am a fan of Vybz Kartel, I am a fan of dancehall music first.

Some kings have a short reign, while others have a long reign. For example, Bob Marley is still the king of reggae and Michael Jackson is still the king of pop, even in death.

To be a king in dancehall I believe you should have at least two of the following criteria: dominate consistently in a decade, sell platinum or gold, have a Grammy nomination, be a Grammy winner, enter the Billboard charts, win clashes with competitors, and, finally, be able to get over 40,000 fans to purchase ‘expensive’ tickets to see you in concert at the National Stadium.

Undoubtedly, Yellowman was the king of dancehall from 1981-1990. Beenie Man took over the throne in the late 90s. Beenie Man, based on consistency, was the dancehall DJ of the decade over Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton, and Bounty Killa from 1991-2000.

From 2001-2010, Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, and Mavado, in my opinion, were in contention for DJ of the decade. I believe most dancehall fans will agree that Vybz Kartel was the man for that decade and he also influenced the delivery style of most artistes.

From 2011-2020 Vybz Kartel was the dancehall artiste of the decade, over Popcaan and Alkaline. From 2021-2030 Vybz Kartel has and will likely continue to dominate.

It is unwise to write off an artiste such as Vybz Kartel. I suspect he will take dancehall music to another level, with collaborations with Drake, Nicki Minaj, Jay Z, Rihanna, Cardi B, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Kanye West, Burna Boy, and other international artistes.

It is important to note that a current artiste can dominate a decade and still not be crowned king due to the accomplishments of his competitors. Even if Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, and Vybz Kartel are dethroned, they will always be in any conversation regarding the greatest of all time (GOATs).

Due to Vybz Kartel’s incarceration, by default, I would say Beenie Man was king, but now that Vybz Kartel is out of prison, Beenie Man must accept reality. A king can be dethroned; Beenie Man dethroned Yellowman as the king of dancehall; hence, it would be foolish of Beenie Man to believe he’s irreplaceable.

It took 26 years for Beenie Man’s massive hit single, Who Am I (Sim Simma), that was released in the summer of 1997, to be certified gold. It took Vybz Kartel under four years — while incarcerated — to sell gold as an independent.

Beenie Man is a great artiste and performer who has his space in dancehall as the former king.

Shabba Ranks is currently the most-decorated dancehall artiste. He has two albums — X-Tra Naked (1992) and As Raw As Ever (1991) — that have been certified gold as well as the single Slow and Sexy, which
was certified gold in three months. The reality, however, is that if Vybz Kartel had signed with a major label and had not spent half of his career in prison, he clearly would’ve sold more gold records/albums and had more billboard hits.

Dancehall fans should not water down the king status. Masicka is the current hottest male artiste in Jamaica, but why are some fans saying he’s the king when I’ve not seen him even dominating a decade or outshining his competitors? He’s a contender to be king, but to dethrone Vybz Kartel he will have to be greater than Vybz Kartel. Until then he, Popcaan, Skillibeng, and Alkaline are princes. While you can have more than one prince, there can only be one king on the throne at any given time.

No king of dancehall has ever dominated dancehall music for two consecutive decades, much less be incarcerated for one of the decades. If Vybz Kartel is able to dominate this current decade, he will be the GOAT of dancehall music and the king of dancehall kings.

Vybz Kartel should use this current decade to aim for two extra gold singles and try to get a single to platinum. And he should aim to win the Grammy at least three times and try to get three singles on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts.

He has proved that you can be in prison, be sick, and be older than your contemporaries and still run a genre. The other hurdle is for him to prove that he’s a reformed individual.

He has the potential to take the genre to another level, it now on him to take care of himself — stop smoking and drinking, eat healthy, and get proper rest.

Teddylee Gray

Ocho Rios, St Ann

teddylee.gray@gmail.com