Dancehall Star Vybz Kartel used his official Instagram account to praise Reggae superstar Bob Marley on Tuesday. Kartel commented “Bob Marley just different ya man. #Legend #Levels #King #Icon” on under a post by WMV titled “Paramounts “Bob Marley: One Love” Movie Drives Reggae Music Streams.”
The incarcerated deejay’s adoration of Marley comes after many conversations online about whether Kartel or Bob Marley have a greater impact on today’s youth. DJ Akademiks boldly asserted in 2021 that, “Vybz Kartel is my favorite artist of all time…ever,” during an appearance on the Million Dollars Worth Of Game podcast, where he spoke with hosts Gillie Da King and Wallo267. He explains, “My favorite artist of all time is a Jamaican artist, I think he is the best artist, there is no other artist on Earth that even comes within a centimeter of him and it’s Vybz Kartel.”
He continues to laud Kartel’s talents, stating, “He is currently incarcerated for murder or whatever, but when it comes to living your craft, also being the best at everything. He is the best dude with melodies, best dude with bars or lyrics or whatever. He was always somebody who pushed the culture forward. The culture to this day— he is in prison and still put out music — still lives on his (Vybz Kartel’s) back.”
Akademiks, born Livingston Allen in Spanish Town Jamaica, who gained notoriety as a music media voice in the U.S. for his coverage of the Chicago Drill scene, later becoming a Music and culture commentator, Twitch streamer, and co-host of Complex Magazine’s Everyday Struggle, maintains his stance during the podcast. He shocks the hosts Gillie and Walla when he claims, “The greatest artist, I have never seen any artist have more influence on a genre… I don’t care if you could say Bob Marley, Elvis, Beatles.”
In response to skepticism from the hosts, Akademiks clarifies, “Bob Marley’s influence is worldwide but Bob Marley don’t talk to those youths in the garrison, Bob Marley don’t talk to the ghetto people.” He further elaborates, “Whatever influence y’all think Jay-Z had on hip hop he ain’t had what Kartel had on dancehall. Facts. It’s Tupacesque level.”
Kartel added in the comment section on WMV‘s Instagram page,”Kaiser affirms get weh Kaiser fi get. #1Bob the original G.O.A.T 👑”
Bob Marley’s enduring legacy, including accolades such as the Peace Medal Of The Third World from the UN in 1978, the Jamaican Order of Merit in 1981, the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994, and others, solidifies his status as an icon. Time Magazine has hailed his album Exodus as the Album Of The Century, and Rolling Stone Magazine ranks him at No. 11 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time.
On the other hand, Vybz Kartel, despite facing legal troubles and a life sentence, continues to make waves in the Dancehall scene. The “Victorious” deejay is set to know his fate tomorrow March 14, 2024 at 11:00 am Jamaica time when the UK’s Privy Council will Han down its final judgment on his murder appeal case. Kartel’s hit song “Fever” achieved Gold certification in the U.S. in February 2020 (500,000), and Silver in the U.K. on February 10, 2023 (200,000).
