A particular controversy is confronting two of the greatest references in Jamaican music such as Vybz Kartel and Shaggy about global success, cultural influence and what it really means to wear the crown of global dancehall.
The controversy began with an interview with the interpreter of “Boombastic” who stated that dancehall does not have an absolute king and when listing the greatest global exponents who took the sound to the top, he placed himself alongside Bob Marley and Sean Paul, leaving out several local figures.
Shaggy also questioned how success is measured in dancehall, particularly when artists hold large concerts in markets with large audiences in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
In that sense, referenced artists who boasted of selling out the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, and suggested that true international reach should also be demonstrated in territories where dancehall traditionally does not have a loyal following.
As an example he gave Lithuania, challenging performers to prove they could draw a crowd of around 20.000 people on a Wednesday like he did.
This Shaggy stance is based on a history that goes far beyond Jamaica, since their songs “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel” They reached number one on the Billboard Hot chart. 100 and his album Boombastic earned him a Grammy Award and 2019 won another Grammy Award for 44/876, his joint project with Sting.
Basically, His argument is that global reach and record sales are the true indicators of success in sustaining the Jamaican industry abroad..
Vybz Kartel's response
Shaggy's words did not go unnoticed, since his allusion about filling the Barclays Center pointed directly to artists like Vybz Kartel, Alkaline, Mavado and, most recently, Masicka who have had successful presentations at that venue.
In a post on his Instagram account, Kartel picked up the handkerchief and, by sharing a preview of unreleased music on Instagram, wrote a message clearly addressed to Shaggy, although he did not mention it explicitly, qualifying it as “manufactured pop star, with little talent and no influence on culture”.
And precisely that last point is one of Kartel's main arguments, who was “coronado” As the “King of Dancehall” at Reggae Sumfest in July 2025, since its cultural influence in Jamaica is very important.
Despite having spent several years in prison, Kartel always maintained an important presence in dancehall, and his music, lyrics, style and terminology continued to influence artists and audiences.
His return to the stage has also demonstrated the magnitude and loyalty of his followers..
For this reason, the debate is open about what weighs more when measuring the greatness of an artist., since both Shaggy and Vybz Kartel represent different ways of achieving success.
In that sense, The discussion is about what matters most in considering an artist successful., if the sale of records, the international tours and awards or if on the other hand the influence on dancehall itself, including sound, the language, style and roots and popular culture.
