Joel Engineer Lines Up Vybz Kartel and Popcaan for Unlocked Riddim

Still in his teens, Joel Engineer is pushing further into dancehall with a new riddim that puts two of the genre’s heaviest names on the same project.

The emerging beatmaker’s latest release, the Unlocked Riddim, brings together Vybz Kartel and Popcaan — a pairing Joel, who is Popcaan’s nephew, describes as a landmark moment in his young career.

“It feels amazing to have produced a Vybz Kartel song. It’s even more special to have both Popcaan and Vybz Kartel on the same riddim,” Joel shared. “I attended the same prep school as Kartel’s children while he was incarcerated, and I also have a surprise track coming with one of his sons.”

The Unlocked Riddim is slated to carry at least six songs, offering a range of sounds and styles that highlight Joel’s range as a producer.

“I hope fans can appreciate the music and see my growth as a producer,” he said. “I want them to really connect with each song, not just listen to it.”

Joel said the set is built to reach different corners of the dancehall audience. Kartel’s cut leans into a bright, summer-party energy, while Popcaan’s entry carries a tougher, street-focused tone.

Landing Kartel and Popcaan on one riddim marks a notable win for a producer still early in his run. Joel has been around music since childhood, growing up inside the Unruly Camp and taking cues from his mother, his uncle, and Grammy-winning producer Notnice — who is also the father of Joel’s younger brother. Their work has shaped dancehall on a global scale, and Joel now aims to carve out his own lane with a sound he believes is both fresh and forceful.