Vybz Kartel Reaps Billboard Success With Travis Scott Collaboration Ahead of Scotiabank Arena Debut at Drake’s Birthday

Dancehall’s leading man, Vybz Kartel, continues to make inroads on the international scene, this time by climbing the Billboard charts alongside two global hitmakers. The Worl’ Boss has secured his fourth Billboard entry with PBT, a collaboration with American rap star Travis Scott and South African sensation Tyla, featured on Scott’s blockbuster Jackboys 2 album. The track, which debuted at No. 38 in mid-August, has been steadily building momentum, this week surging into the Top 20 of Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart at No. 18. For Kartel, it’s another major notch in his belt as he cements his post-prison comeback with global appeal.

The success of PBT rides on the back of Jackboys 2’s phenomenal reception. Released July 13 under Cactus Jack Records and Epic Records, the 17-track compilation roared to the top of the Billboard 200, moving a staggering 232,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. Alongside Kartel, the project features an all-star lineup of heavyweights, including Future, 21 Savage, Playboi Carti, NBA YoungBoy, GloRilla, and Bun B, marking one of the most commercially powerful hip-hop releases of 2025. For fans of dancehall, Kartel’s presence on such a high-profile project represents another breakthrough moment for the genre on the global stage.

While PBT now shares Billboard history with Kartel’s earlier entries—Major Lazer’s Pon De Floor, the Spice-assisted classic Ramping Shop, and the gold-certified solo smash Fever—its momentum reflects not just nostalgia but a growing appetite for his artistry in the present moment. The track’s blend of trap, afrobeats flair, and unmistakable dancehall grit highlights Kartel’s adaptability, reinforcing why his influence continues to cut across genres and borders.

The timing of this chart success could not be more fitting. Just weeks away, Kartel will make his long-anticipated Toronto debut with a two-night takeover of Scotiabank Arena on October 26 and 27, headlining Drake’s birthday celebrations. Announced via a joint Instagram post with Drake himself, the shows are already shaping up to be historic, with fans eager to see the convergence of two icons in the heart of the 6. Drake teased the moment as “@vybzkartel DI TEACHA LIVE IN TORONTO FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER… CHAMPAGNE BDAY CELEBRATIONS 🤯,” sending social media into a frenzy.

For an artist once confined to Jamaica’s borders, Kartel’s global footprint in 2025 has become undeniable. From selling out arenas like London’s O2 and New York’s Barclays Center to scoring Billboard recognition alongside some of the biggest names in music, his resurgence is as much about resilience as it is about artistry. With Toronto next in his crosshairs and PBT climbing higher on the charts, Vybz Kartel is proving that the King of Dancehall is not only back—he’s helping to rewrite the script of global music dominance.

Billboard