Dancehall Icon Vybz Kartel Drops New Album, 'Kartel Forever: Trilogy,' Debuts at #5 on iTunes, Receives Rave
New York, NY – Dancehall icon Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer drops his new album Kartel Forever: Trilogy, now available physically and digitally worldwide from Tad’s Record. Scoring coveted media attention from mainstream press including MTV, The Fader Magazine and Complex Magazine, along with articles and reviews in numerous European and Caribbean media, Kartel Forever: Trilogy debuted at #5 on the iTunes Reggae Top Albums Chart during its release day on September 24, 2013. The three-disc anthology remains in the iTunes top ten reggae albums, a commendable showing for an album that comes with a hefty price tag of $24.99, compared to other releases that average $9.99.
Hailed as the undisputed World Boss of the dancehall genre, Kartel Forever: Trilogy is a rare international release from the talented and controversial artist, who remains incarcerated in his homeland, Jamaica. Celebrated and polarized for his stimulating lyrics and provocative ploys on and off stage, there is no doubt Vybz Kartel is a defining thread in the fabric of dancehall.
The Fader Magazine prides itself on being a definitive voice in music and previously hosted Vybz Kartel on its cover in June 2011. The Fader exclusively premiered the entire Kartel Forever: Trilogy album as a live stream for its massive audience on its release date, as the magazine celebrates Vybz Kartel as one of the biggest names in music today.
MTV Iggy, a division of Viacom Media Networks, is focused on bringing cutting-edge global music and pop-culture to the US. With a full album review due out later this week, journalist Marlon Bishop previewed the album with some bold words. “Vybz Kartel is the most powerful force in Jamaican music today: this is a fact few on the island would dispute,” Bishop stated.
Kartel Forever: Trilogy boasts 60 tracks on the three-disc album, including previously unreleased singles and numerous hits from recent years. Kartel is determined to stay atop his dancehall throne and keep his fans satisfied until his inevitable return to the studio to make music for the masses. Jamaican imprint Tad’s Record maintains a strong partnership with the entertainer. According to the label, both overt and covert fans are raving about this colossal collection that showcases Kartel’s hit songs in its raw and purest form. “The positive response that we have received regarding Kartel Forever: Trilogy is overwhelming and more than we could imagine,” reveals Tad Dawkins, President of Tad’s Record. “Vybz Kartel’s fans were starving since the release of Pon Di Gaza 2.0 and we are pleased to have lived up to their expectations with this follow-up tribute to a pioneering dancehall lyricist.”
With a slew of Vybz Kartel songs currently enjoying heavy rotation in Jamaica and on urban radio worldwide, including new singles “Compass,” “Business” and “School,” Kartel Forever: Trilogy provides a vivid kaleidoscope of his continued evolution as an extraordinary artist. Despite his geographic limitations, his music speaks volumes, as is evident from his continued surge in popularity and international demand, which continues to increase with each passing day.
