Vybz Kartel has kept his foot firmly planted on the gas pedal ever since his release from prison last summer (July 31, 2024).
In celebration of the ten-year anniversary of his seminal Viking (Vybz Is King) album, Kartel is releasing a special deluxe edition of the set featuring seven new songs on Friday (Jan. 31). From the sanctified Sunday mornings (“God Is the Greatest”) to unruly Saturday nights (“Str8 Vybz”), the new additions to Viking expand on the equally vulnerable and anthemic qualities of the original tracklist. The expanded version of Viking (released via Adidjahiem Records/TJ Records) also boasts an eye-popping, X-rated collaboration with dancehall star Ishawna titled “Porn Flick.”
Released in 2015 — three years into his incarceration — Viking became Kartel’s fourth consecutive project to reach the top 10 of Reggae Albums (No. 3). The LP spawned several hits, including “Unstoppable,” “Enchanting” and “Gon Get Better,” which was sampled by Fifth Harmony on their decade-old debut studio album.
The new deluxe edition of Viking follows a hectic past few months for Worl’ Boss. Mere months after regaining his freedom and serving 13 years of a now-overturned life sentence for murder, Kartel mounted Freedom Street — a star-studded New Year’s Eve homecoming concert that stood as Jamaica’s biggest musical showcase in nearly 50 years. In addition to his dancehall deejay sons Likkle Addi and Likkle Vybz, several other stars came out to support Kartel at Freedom Street, including Spice, Popcaan, Skeng, Busta Rhymes, Shatta Wale and more.
Less than a week after Freedom Street, the “Fever” deejay graced Billboard’s first cover of 2025, in which he discussed recording music while incarcerated, new music with Cardi B and whose side he chose in last year’s bombastic Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud. In the cover story, Kartel also reacted to his first career Grammy nomination, which he earned in the best reggae album category with his Party With Me EP.
“If I wasn’t incarcerated, I would have been nominated already,” he candidly told Billboard. “But I understand, why would they want to nominate a dude in prison? I know if I wasn’t arrested, based on the trajectory that my career was on, I would have definitely won. But I’m very, very grateful.”
At the Feb. 2 ceremony — which will be held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif. — Kartel will vie for best reggae album against Shenseea (Never Gets Late Here), Collie Buddz (Take It Easy), The Wailers (Evolution) and the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack. This year’s Grammys will serve as a fundraiser to help the greater Los Angeles rebuild after several devastating fires.
See the album’s full tracklist below, and pre-order it here.
1. God Is the Greatest*
2. It A Tape*
3. Polite*
4. Dreams Are Made Of*
5. Str8 Vybz*
6. Porn Flick featuring Ishawna*
7. Gon’ Get Better
8. Enchanting
9. Dancehall Cyah Stall
10. Unstoppable
11. #AmOut*
*new songs
