The debate about who is the King of Dancehall continues to spark conversation online, especially since Billboard has joined the chat. The old debate regarding whether Vybz Kartel or Beenie Man is the King of Dancehall reignited after a video of Beenie Man claiming the title emerged. In the video, Beenie expressed that only one King and one clown exist, hinting that the title “King of Dancehall” belongs to him.
Another video, with a similar message from Beenie Man surfaced on social media not long after. Both of these videos came days after Vybz Kartel’s epic Freedom Street concert, where Bounty Killer acknowledged Kartel as a King. The dancehall veteran Bounty Killer, who mentored Kartel in the earlier stages of his career, expressed that Vybz Kartel incredibly built his own thrown.
Billboard also believes that the deejay is the king as the American music and entertainment magazine expressed that Vybz Kartel reclaimed his thrown after 13 years of incarceration.
Billboard interviewed Vybz Kartel recently and made the controversial post on social media platform X. The post begins with the statement, “The return of @Vybz_Official,” and continues by saying, “After 13 years in prison, dancehall’s king reclaims his throne – and reveals how he made hits behind bars.”
The post is circulating social media and attracting mixed responses from internet users. While some persons expressed that both dancehall artistes are legends and the crown does not matter, others joked at the thought of Beenie Man seeing that Vybz Kartel is recognised as the King internationally.
Beenie Man, who is 51 years old, has made it clear on multiple occasions over the years that he still wore the crown despite what Vybz Kartel or fans said. This ongoing debate resulted in internet users measuring the accomplishments of each artiste to determine the king of the genre.
Beenie Man has referenced his Grammy in the past, hinting that it contributed to him wearing the crown. Both Beenie Man and Vybz Kartel’s successful musical career span multiple decades.
