Vybz Kartel Sets June 5 for New Album Drop
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One of the most influential artists in dancehall history, Vybz Kartel, marks a defining new chapter with his forthcoming album God & Time, slated for release June 5th, 2026. Pre-order is available now with the release of the album's powerful title track and its latest video.
Following two back-to-back Grammy-nominated Best Reggae albums for Party With Me (2024) and Heart & Soul (2025), along with the 10th Anniversary: Viking (Vybz Is King) (2025), Kartel now delivers his most personal and sonically expansive body of work since he was freed from prison after 13 years.
Spanning genres and continents, God & Time will feature an all-star lineup including Puerto Rican superstar Farruko, Jamaica’s Skillibeng, and Shenseea, who appears on the already released single “Panic,” with many more guests to be announced.
Throughout the forthcoming God & Time album, Kartel moves seamlessly between personal reflections, hard-hitting dancehall anthems, sensual records for the ladies, genre-bending crossover records, and rare moments of vulnerability. Inspired by the Jamaican expression “God & Time”—rooted in faith, patience, and destiny—the album reflects his survival, rebirth, and creative freedom.
The title track evokes the same introspective tone as Kartel’s most streamed post-release hit “God Is The Greatest,” which has surpassed 30 million video views year-to-date. The “God & Time” official video, directed by Ruppi and filmed in Miami and Kingston, premieres today.
Produced by longtime collaborator TJ Records alongside Kartel, the anticipated God & Time album reunites the creative team behind Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015) and King of the Dancehall (2016), which included the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Fever.” God & Time will be released via TJ Records / Vybz Kartel Muzik and distributed by Zojak World Wide.
This summer in support of the new album, Kartel will headline Reggae Sumfest on July 18, 2026 alongside Mavado, reuniting two dancehall icons whose rivalry defined the genre throughout the 2000s in a landmark moment for Jamaican music and culture. More dates to be announced.
Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Palmer in Portmore, Jamaica, is one of the most influential voices in Jamaican music history, with a catalog that has expanded dancehall’s global reach. Even during a 13-year incarceration, Kartel maintained consistent output and cultural impact with releases such as “Fever” and “Romping Shop,” both of which charted on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts. His influence spans multiple generations. He has helped launch the careers of artists in his home country including Spice, Popcaan, and Shenseea, and has earned co-signs from international stars like Drake, Rihanna, Cardi B, and Mick Jagger. Following his conviction being overturned by the UK Privy Council and Jamaican courts, Kartel was released on July 31, 2024, returning to the stage on New Year’s Eve at Kingston’s National Stadium before 30,000 fans. In the post-release era, he expanded his global profile with features in Billboard (Jan 2025 cover), The Face (Spring 2025 cover), Rolling Stone, GQ, and The New York Times, viral Kai Cenat livestream appearances, two consecutive GRAMMY nominations (2025–2026), MOBO Impact Award (2025) and MOBO Best Caribbean Music Act (2026), multiple wins at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards (including Male Dancehall Artist of the Year and People’s Choice), nine awards at IRAWMA 2026, and collaborations including “PBT” with Travis Scott & Tyla (peaked at #5 on Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart) and “F*ck & Party” with Chris Brown. His touring success includes the 2025 “Worl’ Boss Tour” across North America, Europe, and South America, with multiple sold-out arena shows, concluding in a three-night run in Toronto presented by Drake and OVO. Beyond music, he has expanded into business and philanthropy through Str8 Vybz Rum, a cruise venture, fashion partnerships with Nike x NOCTA and Guapi, and the Adidja Palmer Foundation, supporting hurricane relief and community rebuilding efforts in Jamaica.
