Vybz Kartel previews God and Time album at intimate Jamaica listening party

Dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel welcomed a specially invited crowd to an intimate listening party for his God and Time album, where guests soaked up the vibes and heard select tracks from the project now receiving strong reception across Jamaica.

Kartel arrived fashionably late and missed the earlier giveaway of posters, cakes and memorabilia, but stayed on to sign tickets and other items for supporters. He named God and Time as his favourite cut on the record, while pointing to three tracks he expects to dominate the summer: Shenseea's God Outside, Spice's Confession, and Mavado's High Life.

On reuniting with Mavado for High Life after years apart, Kartel said the link-up felt natural rather than forced. He recalled crossing paths with the artist again at a DJ Khaled event in America, where they exchanged vibes several times before returning to the studio together.

Kartel described the wider album as more mature and family-oriented, shaped by personal growth and a shift in perspective, while keeping the core dancehall formula of raw lyrics and Jamaican bravado intact. Collaborations with Farruko and Wiz Khalifa, he said, were meant to bridge cultural gaps across the Caribbean diaspora and connect the music to its roots, noting the shared history between dancehall and reggaeton and the African origins of the sound.

The Mavado feature carried its own weight, he added, marking a turn from past rivalry toward unity after the pair once shook dancehall to its foundations more than a decade ago. Kartel also spoke with emotion about his daughter's recent graduation, saying he stepped aside to shed tears of joy and that it was the first graduation he had attended for any of his children. He thanked fans, media, bloggers and event staff for supporting the turnout.