DJ Akademiks Says Vybz Kartel More Influential Than Bob Marley
Spanish Town native turned American Hip-Hop commentator DJ Akademiks is at it again with his controversial takes. According to AK, Vybz Kartel‘s influence on Dancehall is more than what Bob Marley, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Jay-Z had on their respective genres.
“Vybz Kartel is my favorite artist of all time…ever,” Akademiks told hosts Gillie Da King and Wallo267 on the Million Dollars Worth Of Game podcast on Sunday.
“My favorite artist of all time is a Jamaican artist, I think he is the best artist, there is no other artist on Earth that even comes within a centimeter of him and it’s Vybz Kartel.”
“He is currently incarcerated for murder or whatever, but when it comes to living your craft, also being the best at everything. He is the best dude with melodies, best dude with bars or lyrics or whatever. He was always somebody who pushed the culture forward. The culture to this day— he is in prison and still put out music — still lives on his (Vybz Kartel’s) back,” he continued.
Akademiks, born Livingston Allen, rose to fame in the hip-hop world after reporting on the Chicago Drill scene. He then became a Music and culture commentator, Twitch streamer, and co-host of Complex Magazine’s Everyday Struggle.
During the podcast, the 30-year-old shocked the hosts Gillie and Walla when he said, “The greatest artist, I have never seen any artist have more influence on a genre… I don’t care if you could say Bob Marley, Elvis, Beatles.”
It was at this point that Wallo responded “He is stronger than Bob?” while Gillie chimed in with “man get the f-ck outa here…get your lying a– outa here bwoy.”
The professional disruptor then clarified, “Bob Marley’s influence is worldwide but Bob Marley don’t talk to those youths in the garrison, Bob Marley don’t talk to the ghetto people.”
“Whatever influence y’all think Jay-Z had on hip hop he ain’t had what Kartel had on dancehall. Facts. It’s Tupacesque level,” AK explained.
Bob Marley—a Rastafarian, who rose up from the slums of Trench Town, Jamaica—passed away 40 years ago at the age of 36. He’s regarded among the world’s greatest and most influential musicians and his music was a key element in the development of Reggae music across the world.
Marley has been awarded and honored during his life and posthumously for his contribution to music and cultural development including the Peace Medal Of The Third World from the UN in 1978, the Jamaican Order of Merit in 1981, the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994, the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2001, and the UK Music Hall Of Fame in 2004.
Time Magazine has named the Bob Marley and Wailers’ Exodus the Album Of The Century, while the Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Marley at No. 11 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time. His posthumous compilation album Legend: The Best Of Bob Marley & The Wailers, first released in 1984, has spent 13 years on the Billboard 200 albums chart and is one of the most successful releases of all time.
Legend is currently No. 1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, for the 100th consecutive week.
Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is considered one of the most influential Dancehall artists for his style, delivery, and lyrical content. As his influence grew in the early 2010s, so too did the controversies. In 2014, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his associate Clive “Lizard” Williams. He will be eligible for parole once he has served a minimum of 32 years in prison. Although he is imprisoned, Kartel continues to release new music, with over 5 albums since his incarceration in 2011.
His hit song Fever was certified Gold in February 2020.