After weeks of the infamous dancehall versus afrobeats debate on social media, Vybz Kartel has become the latest artist to chime in with his thoughts.
The dancehall vs. afrobeats debate is an argument that has stood the test of time and has survived longer than DFS sales, Phil Mitchell in EastEnders and current Brexit negotiations.
Most recently, Krept followed up the release of his album with Konan Revenge is Sweet by polling fans on Twitter over whether dancehall or afrobeats would win a clash.
This follows an Instagram caption from the star earlier in the week which detailed his experience as he enjoyed a well deserved holiday in Jamaica.
Krept wrote, “I went out last night and they was playing nuff afrobeats. They are defeating us. Free Vybz ASAP”.
The debate is like the jollof disagreement between Nigerians and Ghanaians; everyone has a different opinion over who should win and what grounds and factors are used to regulate the argument.
Krept’s mentions were flooded with different song suggestions from both genres and the artist suggested he will try to settle the dispute with a live soundclash at his London show at the 02 Area in December.
Check out some of Krept’s tweets and his replies from fans below.
Vybz Kartel recently took to social media to address this debate from a different angle following comments from dancehall producer NotNice in a newspaper interview.
Known for producing hits for Vybz Kartel, Alkaline and Popcaan, Notnice claimed that UK radio stations are preventing dancehall from flourishing by minimising the airplay it gets in favour of afrobeats.
The producer also wrote on Instagram, “Let’s take back our dancehall, we producers need to play our part in curving the sound of the music coming from Jamaica the hub of dancehall and reggae. When is the last time we had a real international hit coming out of Jamaica? But every day I hear many chart-topping songs globally that’s mimicking our dancehall sound. So how can they see the value of our music and we can’t? Let us not get caught in the “trap.’”
Vybz Kartel caught wind of the debate and said that Shaggy and Sean Paul do not make “authentic dancehall” but are successful as major labels are “behind them”.
Kartel also blamed fans who do not buy dancehall music for the genres supposed demise.
As we keep you updated on this story, get the best of both worlds and listen to afrobeats star Afro B’s track with dancehall legend Vybz Kartel, “Shape Nice”, here.
When you’re done, listen to Krept and Konan’s new album Revenge is Sweet here which houses the track “First Time” which samples Vybz Kartel’s hit “Virginity”.