Toppa Top 10: Year of the Kartel

Words by Rishi Bonneville, photos via Kingston Style

Over the last few years, Adidja Palmer aka Vybz Kartel emerged as the unexpected yet undisputed king of dancehall reggae, surviving 1) a vicious battle with ally-turned-rival Mavado, 2) the denial of his US visa and 3) a swirl of rumors to produce an enviable string of hits and—perhaps more importantly–a persona that had fans and media watching his every move.

In 2010 he wound the reggae scene around his finger with deft lyrics, controversy, and exquisite production. Considered by many to be one of premier lyricists in dancehall history, his recent subject matter has oscillated between recklessness–such as endorsing chemical skin bleaching in “Cake Soap”–and social critique (“Not a love song”), free market capitalism (“Clarks”, “No Robbery”), and frank sexual material (“Unfaithful,” “Virginity”).  Originally cast as a “Jamaican rapper” for his quick, layered and enunciated delivery, he has, more recently adopted a melodic, software-aided “singjay” style, that seems equal parts lovers rock and soft rock (ex: “She’s Holding On”).  However in all his various incarnations, Vybz demonstrates a knack for saying the unexpected in a way that quickly feels familiar, staying with the listener.  Love him or hate him, it was his year. Here we recap his biggest songs of 2010…

Top Ten 2010

10. “No Robbery”

Standout line: Mek we come together, we have something fi one another.

9. “Whine” (Flatlands riddim)

[audio:http://largeup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/WHINE-WINE-produced-by-Max-Glazer-for-Federation-Sound.mp3|titles=WHINE (WINE) produced by Max Glazer for Federation Sound]
Vybz channels Buju and his contemporaries with a wicked 90s flow over a hot new Federation track sure to carry over into 2011.
Standout line: The whole song really, but the line that’s sticks in your head is: Hey Spanish gal / Como se llama?

8. “Wine For Mi Nuh” (Bank Robbers riddim)

Standout line: Higher than the grade of cocaine dem smuggle up.

7. “Not A Love Song (Cardiac Bass riddim)

A brilliant mediation on hardship overshadowed by other strong songs on this riddim (including another Vybz tune “She’s Holding On”)
Standout line: Make we circle Jericho wall, inna / the mental, not the physical…

6. “Thank You, Jah” (Gangster City riddim)

Standout line: Whey de black ooman future mi asking? whey de system do fi she?

5. “Cake Soap” (Blue Bamma riddim)

Reanimated from a throwaway line in “Jeans & Fitted”, this controversial song seems to endorse skin bleaching with a Jamaican household cleaning product.
Standout line: She say teacha, your skin feel nice eeen…

4. “Jeans & Fitted”

Here Vybz joins forces with frequent collaborator Russian (“Clarks Again,” “Go-Go Club”) to underline the common tastes of the Portmore and Uptown communities.
Standout line: Same so we dweet, we dweet a Portmore.

3. “Dumpa Truck” (Smokin’ riddim)

Standout line: Set good like da ice inna freezer.

2. “Touch a Button” (Sprite Riddim)

Standout line: Seh sumpin/ mek u spit catch me/ mi wet up u shirt like Zesty/ man haffi run like track star/ ooman haffi stop look sexy.

1. “Clarks”

This late-2009 song just kept going and going, and became the song for the better half of 2010.

Honorebel mention:”Gimme Di Benz Punany” (Kartel made major waves in Jamaica this year with the acquisition of a 2010 Mercedes Benz S-class. He touches the subject here).