The only reason this is even a topic is because Jamaica doesn't respect its talent or its people. Jamaicans — I love them with all my heart. I was born in England, but my roots go back to Jamaica for over 400 years. Jamaica is a place where, if you don't fit the proper mold, you won't be accepted.
I don't even know why I'm writing this to appear on my site, knowing the Jamaica Tourist Board is going to read it. But I have to be honest. I'm not cutting off my nose to spite my face. Jamaica has completely broken my heart. I just want to be accepted. We all want to be accepted. But they won't accept us.
Bob waited and died in vain. Kartel isn't waiting.
Bob Marley. ROBERT NESTA MARLEY.
You have to understand who I am. I've been doing this for over 30 years. Talking like this can come with major backlash, but it needs to be said.
First, let's start with the obvious: Jamaicans didn't love Bob until after his death.
My grandmother on my dad's side never spoke patois. Her English was proper. My grandfather on that side was well off. A school education was the gold standard. Smoking weed and unkempt hair was not the gold standard, nor should it be recognized as one. So I get it. Jamaica is also a Christian, conservative country. If you close your eyes and draw a picture of Jamaica, the image you draw in your head isn't the image Jamaica wants to promote.
I see both sides of the fence. My grandmother on my mom's side was a lounge singer who performed alongside Robert in England before he grew dreads. One side of my family not a fan, the other side a fan. So just because you are Jamaican doesn't mean you want Bob Marley to represent you.
Let's say this again: Jamaicans didn't love Bob Marley until after his death. The world made Bob Marley famous — not Jamaica. Jamaica never embraced Bob Marley. Jamaica didn't love Bob Marley. Jamaica tried to kill Bob Marley. And these actions have left Bob Marley's legacy about as strong as a zinc fence.
How is it that Bob Marley isn't a National Hero? How is Rihanna a National Hero in Barbados? Make this make sense. Why isn't Bob Marley on the money? Why isn't Bob Marley marketed as Jamaica? Why are his children not more active? Damian Marley should be kicking down every riddim in Jamaica.
People love Jamaica for the reggae first, then the beaches. Why is that so hard to understand? Jamaica's number one export is reggae music. Then what do Jamaicans do? They split the genre. Reggae is one thing, dancehall is the other. People — reggae is the music. Dancehall is the venue.
But if we want to play by your stupid games, then the biggest dancehall artist is either Michael Jackson or Madonna. Play "Like a Virgin" inna dance and watch the dance splinter in two. Google Super Cat — he's listed as an R&B/hip hop artist. Jamaica doesn't know its ass from its elbow.
In Jamaica, Bob Marley has no story. In Jamaica, Bob Marley has no legacy. In Jamaica, Bob Marley is a failed ambush in the night — only because Jamaica has failed itself.
Kartel sees this and is starting to write his own story. He understands how awful Jamaicans can be.
And look at what he did with that understanding. Jamaica locked him up for thirteen years, and he ran dancehall from a cell. No shows, no visas, no radio play that Kingston could control — and he still owned every riddim on the island. When he walked out in 2024 it wasn't because Jamaica forgave him; it was because a court in London said the case didn't hold. The same England that broke Bob. Then he filled the National Stadium on New Year's Eve and picked up a Grammy nomination, and the Jamaica Tourist Board still won't put his face on a billboard. Bleached skin, tattoos, the World Boss — he doesn't fit the mold any more than a Rasta with locks did in 1976. The difference is Kartel never asked for the mold's permission. Bob waited and died in vain. Kartel isn't waiting.
Unfortunately — and this is heartbreaking to say — Kartel's story will be the biggest story in reggae. Again: reggae is the music, dancehall is the venue. Kartel, you win again on a technicality. Jamaica spat in Bob Marley's face, and that disrespect Kartel sees. He will not wait for Jamaica to recognize him. Only the victors get to write history.
All rise and hail the new King of Reggae: Vybz Kartel!
JAMAICA, YOU MAKE ME FACKING SICK TO MY STOMACH!