Shenseea on Meeting Vybz Kartel for the First Time: “It’s Almost Like Meeting My Long-Lost Godfather”

“It’s almost like I got to meet my long-lost Godfather who was watching over me from a distance,” said dancehall star Shenseea during a recent conversation with REVOLT as she reflected on her first face-to-face encounter with Vybz Kartel. The moment, which she described as surreal, came in 2025 after years of admiring the man she confidently hails as the GOAT of dancehall. For Shenseea, the meeting was more than a casual industry link-up—it was the fulfilment of a long-held dream, given that by the time she emerged on the scene, Kartel was already behind bars.

That long-awaited introduction unfolded during a landmark year in her career, marked by her powerful performance at the St. Kitts Music Festival in June 2025. Returning to the stage where she first performed as a rising talent, Shenseea commanded the crowd with signature tracks like “Foreplay,” her viral remix of “Shake It To The Max (FLY),” and the anthemic “ShenYeng Anthem.” In a high-energy twist, she even invited fans on stage to join her in dancing to “Tap Out” before closing her set with an emotional tribute to Bob Marley, singing “No Woman, No Cry.”

For Shenseea, St. Kitts was more than just another gig. It represented a full-circle moment—proof of how far she has come since her early days, now returning as one of the most recognisable female voices in dancehall. In her own words, being able to represent her culture on such platforms is “nothing but a blessing,” especially knowing how many others are still striving for the opportunities she has earned.

Equally significant was the symbolic connection of sharing the festival spotlight with Kartel himself. Though they first performed together in April 2025, standing on the same stage as the Worl’ Boss in St. Kitts solidified a milestone she will never forget. It was, as she noted, not just a professional triumph but a deeply personal validation from someone whose music has shaped the genre she now proudly represents.

In many ways, Shenseea’s reflections mirror the evolution of dancehall itself—bridging the past and the present, honouring the legends while carving her own path. Meeting Kartel face to face may have felt like reconnecting with a guardian figure, but for the singer-rapper, it was also a clear signal that she has stepped firmly into her place among dancehall’s greats.

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