Dancehall star Vybz Kartel has officially dropped the music video for another one of his classics. On Wednesday, the deejay released the imagery for Miami Vice Episode, a 2014 track. The vibrant visuals, according to local news, seemingly mark his first on-location shoot in the United States since his release from prison in July 2024.
In the song, Vybz Kartel sings about partying and having fun with the ladies, expressing his love for raving whether at pool or beach parties. The music video treats fans to four minutes of stunning Miami scenery that features Vybz Kartel and female dancers.
The visuals, directed by Ruppi for Now Or Never, capture Kartel cruising through Miami’s iconic Ocean Drive in a custom luxury coupé. The video shows him inviting stunning women to a rave he is hosting before transitioning into scenes from his lively “Kartel Pool Party”. It showcases Vybz Kartel vibing with the ladies bathed in the Miami sunlight as they danced, and product placement for his own Str8 Vybz Rum.
The video also features cameo appearances by dancers based in Florida. The ladies, all wearing swimwear, add an extra dose of flair to the poolside celebration. The combination of the scenic views in Miami and nostalgic dancehall rhythms gives the classic track a fresh take for both long-time fans and new listeners.
Miami Vice Episode audio was initially released on May 30, 2014, and produced by Bigga Dondon Records. At the time of its release, the song soared to No. 3 on the local iTunes reggae chart. With this new video release, the song has been reintroduced as part of Kartel’s recent effort to breathe new life into his back catalogue.
Since regaining his freedom, the deejay has been steadily pairing some of his earlier hits with new visuals. The move is greatly encouraged by his fans, who have been expressing joy over the fresh visuals. It has also breathed new life into his older hits, pushing them back into the spotlight, including Miami Vice Records, which has debuted on the local chart.
Following its release, the Miami Vice Records music video has taken the No. 30 spot on YouTube’s trending music chart, solidifying the song’s enduring popularity over a decade later and reaffirming its status as a fan favourite.
