Vybz Kartel Joins Mr Eazi on New Single “Lambo” From Upcoming Mixtape

Jamaican dancehall icon reunites with longtime collaborator Dre Skull as he joins Nigerian Afropop star Mr Eazi on the first single from their upcoming collaborative mixtape, Yard & Yanga

Vybz Kartel Joins Mr Eazi (L) for “Lambo” (Photo: Matthieu Delbreuve)

Nigerian Afropop star Mr Eazi and acclaimed producer Dre Skull have announced their upcoming collaborative mixtape, Yard & Yanga, set for release later this year through Mixpak Records and emPawa Africa.

Leading the rollout is the new single “Lambo,” a hypnotic bashment anthem featuring the unmistakable vocals of dancehall icon Vybz Kartel.

The title Yard & Yanga blends the Jamaican colloquial term "Yard" with the Nigerian Pidgin word "Yanga," meaning to show off, symbolizing a vibrant celebration of the deep-rooted musical and cultural connection between the Caribbean and West Africa. The project showcases the natural fusion of dancehall and Afrobeats while highlighting the enduring influence each genre has had on the other.

The mixtape is the product of the longtime creative partnership between Mr Eazi, who helped propel Afrobeats onto the global stage with singles like “Leg Over” and “Skin Tight” and Dre Skull. Both previously teamed up on “Sekkle and Bop,” featuring Popcaan, and reunited last year for the dancehall-infused pop single “Dance Pon Me.”

“In an alternate universe, I would have been an Afro dancehall artist,” explained Mr Eazi. “This is dancehall but my own interpretation.”

Vybz Kartel was a natural choice to feature on “Lambo,” not only as one of dancehall's most influential and celebrated contemporary artistes, but also because of his long-standing creative partnership with Dre Skull. Their collaboration dates back to the now-classic 2009 single “Yuh Love” and continued with the critically acclaimed 2011 album Kingston Story, a project widely regarded as one of the defining releases in modern dancehall.

"Kartel is such a generational talent and I had no doubt he would bring a special energy to this record and compliment Eazi’s infectious hook," Dre Skull added.

Dre Skull recently visited Jamaica to celebrate the launch of rising sensation Cholita's debut EP. The producer attended the exclusive release event, showing his support for the emerging artiste as she marked a major milestone in her career.