Veteran dancehall artist Grindsman says he is considering legal action against Vybz Kartel over the hit single “Benz Punany,” years after previously crediting the song with reviving his career.
The original “Benz Punany” was recorded by Grindsman in 1990 and produced by dancehall artist Red Dragon (Leroy May). In 2010, Kartel released a remake of the song — titled Benz Punany — which interpolates the original lyrics and melody over the S-Class riddim produced by NotNice.
Kartel’s version quickly became one of the deejay’s most popular tracks, with over 10 million views on YouTube.
In 2023, Grindsman told Dancehall Mag, “When Vybz Kartel revoiced my song, I could say it did some good to let people realize I sing one of the greatest girl songs out of Jamaica. Also letting my fans remember that I am still alive.”
However, Grindsman now says he was never contacted before the remake was recorded.
Threat of legal action
During a recent TikTok Live session, the veteran deejay claimed he has been waiting for Kartel to address the matter but is prepared to pursue legal action if the situation is not resolved.
“Hear wah gwaan now — him live in Florida. Before him voice the song him ever contact me, and now him live in Florida where I am. Him never find anyone to talk to me,” Grindsman said.
“I am just giving him a little time because he don’t want to trash this out in the court. At the moment we are lining up to make it reach there. I am waiting long enough, and if him not reaching out to me I have to make sure him get a paper served.”
Of note, Red Dragon’s brother Flourgon (Michael May), successful won a $300 million lawsuit against Miley Cyrus in 2020. That lawsuit, filed in 2018, alleged that her 2013 hit “We Can’t Stop” misappropriated the phrase and concept “We run things, things no run we” from his 1988 song “We Run Things“.
Meanwhile, just last week Kartel scored a decisive victory in a US$6 million lawsuit connected to the promotion of his U.S. concerts and his O-1B visa. The lawsuit was filed in Kings County Supreme Court by Karen Soltau-Mutebi and The Conglomerate Group Inc., who claimed promoter Cassandra Johnson (CJ Milan) interfered with their business relationships tied to Kartel’s U.S. performances.
It was dismissed with prejudice on March 3, 2026 by Justice Brendan Lantry in the New York Supreme Court.
Kartel was represented by Kadian Townsend of The Townsend Law Firm, who successfully secured the dismissal, meaning the claims cannot be filed again in the same court.
Townsend celebrated the outcome, telling the Jamaica Observer:
“This win means a lot both personally and professionally. Personally, it is a reminder of God’s presence and his goodness. At the age of five, He placed a desire in my heart to become a lawyer and He has been guiding me ever since. I pray about every case that I touch and he is the one who gives me strategies and walks with me into every boardroom and courtroom.”
She also said Kartel welcomed the ruling:
“As you can imagine, the deejay is very pleased with the ruling, as it intercepted any serious ripple effects that could have had implications both financially and professionally, and could have impacted business relationships and performing rights. Winning this case is a huge relief and now he can put it behind him and just focus on continuing to thrive in his career.”
