Album Title: Up 2 di Time
Artiste: Vybz Kartel
WELL IT was about time that dancehall's latest upcoming sensation Vybz Kartel drop his debut album. The package, includes an 18 track disc with a bonus CD entitled - Vybz Kartel Freestyle, featuring Kuntly of Ward 21.
Despite the fact that tracks like New Millennium, Why You Doing It and Sweet To The Belly were all huge hits over the past 12 months, much of the album was basically a re-hash of Kartel tunes throughout the year.
Despite this, Kartel was still able to show why many rate him for his lyrical talents and ability to create a stir via his songs. Currently, songs like Badman Nah and Sen On jump at the listener similar to that of a Busta Rhymes tune, and Kartel's delivery of these tunes is as impressive as the beats he rides, and the production sounds are innovative.
The album managed to present four or five new tunes that the public would not have otherwise heard being played out on radio and at dancehall sessions. Among these were songs like Kartel and Kardinal featuring Kardinal Offishall, Badman Nah and A.K.A.
One thing Kartel should get props for, however, is the fact that he completed an entire album that is his album. There are only two collaborations on the album and he produced one of the tracks himself, a song entitled Who Knows.
Kartel's album, which was produced by Donovon "Vendetta" Bennett for Don Carleon Records, lived up to the expectations of the masses. Many of his fans would have wanted to hear more new tracks, but overall, the package made for an interesting and 'vybzy' listen.
Another must win is his teamwork with the Marshall. A Wayne Marshall, Vybz Kartel collaboration can never go wrong, as three tracks on the album, New Millenium, Why you Doing It and Why Again, were all popular tunes among the fans.
The only other collaboration, outside of Wayne Marshall, was done with Canadian-based rapper, Kardinal Offishall.
New tracks, Badman Nah, Live Yuh Life and A.K.A are not memorable. Amidst the expletives, however, that were surprisingly minimal, Kartel managed to portray positive messages in at least one of his songs, Live yuh Life, which encourages young females to live their life the way they feel and not watch what people have to say. This was indeed a change from his usual sex-oriented and bad man tunes.
TRACK LISTINGS
1. Badman Party
2. Tattoo
3. Good Inna Clothes
4. Sweet To The Belly
5. Kartel and Kardinal featuring
Kardinal Offishall
6. Sen On
7. Di Way We Roll
8. Badman Nah
9. New Millenium featuring
Wayne Marshall
10. Robbery
11. Live U Life
12. Why You Doing It featuring
Wayne Marshall
13. Start Well
14. Pu--y Jaw
15. A.K.A
16. Who Knows
17. Why Again featuring Wayne Marshall
18. Buss It Off
Teino Evans
