Vybz Kartel Promises No “Gangster Lyrics” On New Album ‘God And Time’

Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel says his upcoming album will be titled God and Time, and that the project will take a certain lyrical approach.

In an Instagram video posted over the weekend, the Real Badman deejay, 50, announced that the new record will steer clear of “gangster lyrics” in favor of tracks for his female audience, along with more introspective content.

“The album ah go sick, trust me. Whole heap ah collaborations, whole heap ah songs for the girls dem,” he said in the video. “We nah do certain type a lyrics, nuh gangsta lyrics, the girls dem ago love it. But there’s also deep, inside lyrics for the man dem too.”

The title God and Time carries personal significance for Kartel. During his years of incarceration, the phrase became a mantra for him and his legal team, often used publicly to signal patience and faith that his circumstances would eventually change. Now free, he appears to have chosen it as the banner for his next major body of work.

Fans won’t have to wait long for a first listen. Kartel added that the album’s first single, also titled God and Time, is set for release in early February.

He also previewed another song with producer Jon FX.

The announcement comes during a strong album run for the artist.

His 2025 album Heart & Soul recently earned a nomination for Best Reggae Album at the GRAMMY Awards, though the prize went to Keznamdi. It marked Kartel’s second GRAMMY nod, following his first in 2025 for the Party With Me EP.

Since his 2003 debut Up 2 Di Time, Kartel has released over 20 albums and extended plays, including fan favorites like Pon Di Gaza (2010), Kingston Story (2011), The Gaza Don EP (2011), and King of the Dancehall (2016).

Vybz Kartel

King of the Dancehall remains his highest-charting effort to date. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Reggae chart and spent 19 weeks on the tally. The album featured the massive hit Fever, which crossed over to the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and was later certified Gold in the United States and Silver in the United Kingdom.

Kingston Story peaked at No. 7 in 2012 on the Billboard Reggae chart, while Vybz Kartel Roots & Culture reached No. 6 the following year.

Other Billboard Reggae charting projects include Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015), Of Dons & Divas (2020), and Born Fi Dis (Prelude) (2021), all of which secured positions within the top 10.