DANCEHALL ICON VYBZ KARTEL ANNOUNCES NEW EXPANSIVE ALBUM

Post By DJ Longers
May 22, 2026

DANCEHALL ICON VYBZ KARTEL ANNOUNCES NEW EXPANSIVE ALBUM 'GOD & TIME' FOLLOWING PRISON RELEASE

LONDON — Dancehall heavyweight Vybz Kartel has announced the release of his highly anticipated new studio album, God & Time, marking a major creative milestone since his high-profile release from prison.

The Jamaican music icon, affectionately known to his global fanbase as the "Worl' Boss", confirmed that the 14-track project is scheduled for release on 5th June 2026. The rollout is being handled through a joint venture between TJ Records and Vybz Kartel Muzik, with global distribution managed by Zojak World Wide.

The announcement was accompanied by the immediate release of the album's title track and an official music video, filmed across Miami and Kingston and directed by long-time visual collaborator Ruppi.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the project’s title, Kartel — born Adidja Palmer — explained that the phrase carries a deeply personal meaning rooted in his recent legal battles.

"I named the album God & Time because it's a slang that has been popular in Jamaica since we were children," Kartel said in a statement. "When I was in prison, my lawyer used to always say that to me. I eventually just started believing in myself and applying it to my life."

A Star-Studded Return

According to early track listings, God & Time will showcase Kartel’s signature blend of traditional, hard-hitting dancehall rhythms, genre-fluid crossover tracks, and raw, introspective storytelling.

The record boasts an impressive roster of international and contemporary talent. Confirmed guest features include:

Shenseea, who appears on the previously released hit single "Panic"
Skillibeng, representing the cutting edge of modern Jamaican dancehall
Farruko, the Latin Grammy-winning Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar

The album marks a reunion with TJ Records, the production powerhouse behind some of Kartel’s most commercially successful past bodies of work, including 2015's Viking and 2016's King of the Dancehall — the latter of which spawned the RIAA Gold-certified global smash "Fever".

Reclaiming the Throne

The upcoming release caps off a remarkably prolific period for the 50-year-old artist since regaining his freedom. Kartel was released from prison in July 2024 after spending 13 years incarcerated. His 2014 murder conviction was famously quashed by the UK’s Privy Council, Jamaica's highest court of appeal, in March 2024 and local authorities ultimately declined to hold a retrial.

Despite more than a decade away from a standard recording studio, Kartel’s cultural dominance has barely waned. His immediate post-release output earned him back-to-back Grammy nominations for Best Reggae Album with Party With Me and Heart & Soul, while his 2026 single "God Is The Greatest" has already amassed more than 30 million views online.

The summer is set to be a monumental one for dancehall purists. Beyond the album drop, Kartel is scheduled to headline Jamaica’s prestigious Reggae Sumfest on 18th July. In a moment highly anticipated by the music community, he will share the stage with long-time musical rival Mavado, effectively burying a historic 2000s-era feud that once divided the dancehall landscape.

God & Time is available for pre-order across all major streaming platforms.