Vybz Kartel On Afrobeats Vs. Dancehall: “Every Genre Has Its Space”

Dancehall star Vybz Kartel weighed in on the ongoing debate about Afrobeats’ rise and its perceived impact on Dancehall.

Speaking with TMZ in a new interview on Thursday, Kartel shared his perspective that all music genres have their moment in the spotlight. 

“From time to time…Dancehall music is shining, then it has a time when it kind of dims a little, then it goes back on high beam. We understand that,” he responded when asked about Afrobeats’ “global takeover” and Dancehall no longer being “on the forefront.”

His remarks follow a recent conversation sparked by Reggae superstar Buju Banton, who had criticized Afrobeats as “fu-kery” and “shallow and unsubstantial music that lacks content aimed at liberating Africa,” contrasting it with the politically charged and culturally rooted messages of Reggae and Dancehall.  Nigerian singer Tems, while responding to this critique, described the genre as “escape music” that brings joy and provides a release for listeners. “The climate of Nigeria calls for that type of music. That’s why Nigerians love that music, and the world has come to love that music,” she said.

The Essence singer also suggested that both genres serve different emotional and cultural purposes.  “We can’t all make the same type of music,” Tems said.

Adding to the conversation, Queen Of Dancehall Spice recently shared: “The problem with Buju Banton is that he doesn’t understand that artists are different. So, I think it’s harsh to say a genre is f-ckery, especially one that’s doing very well. We can’t deny it,” Spice said.

She further told DancehallMag: “There’s a time for everything, and right now people are just raving over Afrobeats because it’s new. But, Dancehall nah go nuh weh; it can neva dead. It’s gonna always be a genre that’s alive. There’s always room for growth, and nothing is wrong with that. We just have to remain consistent, and sooner or later, it aguh come full circle again where everybody is just raving over Dancehall.”

During the TMZ interview, Kartel aligned more closely with Tems and Spice, agreeing that Afrobeats shouldn’t be seen as a rival or compared with Dancehall but rather as a genre with its own appeal.

“Big up, Buju Banton. He’s my favorite deejay by the way, and he’s right about what he said about Afrobeats not being that deep..that kind of revolutionary music,” he told TMZ.  “But Tems, she explained that it’s escapism music.  It’s fun music, it’s dancing music.  So the point I’m trying to make is every genre has its space, so we can all coexist together.”

Kartel also highlighted that the current state of Dancehall is primarily shaped by younger artists, who are still finding their footing. 

“Dancehall is now run by the kids,” he said.  “I would give them some time to find themselves, to come into themselves and then understand the difference between the local market and the international market.”  

“There are a lot of promising stars in Jamaica.  I don’t have eanything bad to say because they’re still growing.”