Fixaveli Talks “Zelle” Collab With Vybz Kartel: ‘The Kartel Effect Is Real’

The Florida-based artiste and producer calls recording with Vybz Kartel a milestone moment as he steps further into the spotlight: “I always had music in the back of my mind. Now I want to show the world what I really have to offer.”

Fixaveli alongside Vybz Kartel during the video shoot

Recording artiste and producer Fixaveli is stepping further into the spotlight following his collaboration with dancehall megastar Vybz Kartel on their new single, “Zelle,” which was produced by Silver Birds Records.

For the Toronto-born, Florida-based deejay, the collaboration came together unexpectedly during a recording session in which Kartel was voicing several songs.

“Kartel was voicing a couple songs in the same day, and he just got up and said, ‘Yo Fix, put a chorus on it,’” he recalled. “I was so nervous, not even sure if what I was doing was making sense.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwJ3jmxK8BM&list=RDXwJ3jmxK8BM&start_radio=1

“The concept is simple. This is how you treat ladies in America - let them feel nice,” Fixaveli explained, describing the inspiration behind the track, which plays on the popular digital payment service while putting a modern spin on dancehall’s familiar themes of women, lifestyle and money.

The opportunity carried even greater significance because of Fixaveli’s longtime admiration for the Jamaican superstar. “It meant everything for me as an artiste. His contribution is a milestone moment in my life - to record a song with my favorite artiste of all genres,” he shared.

Fixaveli believes the early reaction to “Zelle” comes down to the record’s melodic approach, memorable phrases and the chemistry created between the two artistes. “The melodies, catchphrases and tones, along with Kartel’s crazy punchlines, are what make people react to this song,” he said.

“I knew one day I would gain that confidence to show the world what I really have to offer.”

While Fixaveli is now putting more focus on himself as a recording artiste, he has spent years working behind the scenes as a producer with the Now Or Never team, carrying the U.S. leg of the brand and playing a role in its continued development. “Shout out to my team at Now Or Never. We’re a family, so everybody in the family knows that, for Fix, music is the thing,” he explained. “Basically, I just played my role in helping our brand, but I always had music in the back of my mind. I knew one day I would gain that confidence to show the world what I really have to offer.”

Now embracing that next chapter, Fixaveli has his sights set on building a name that extends beyond individual releases.

“The biggest aspiration, number one, is to become a household name,” he said. “But aside from that, I want to make music that matters to people - touching hearts and changing somebody’s perspective. I’ve been inspired by all the artistes I’ve worked with over the years, and now I want to show the world what I’ve got and maybe change my family’s legacy.”

“It meant everything for me as an artiste. His contribution is a milestone moment in my life - to record a song with my favorite artiste of all genres. The Kartel effect is real. I’ve seen my life change in 24 hours.”

And with “Zelle” introducing him to a much wider audience, Fixaveli says he has already experienced firsthand the impact that comes with a Vybz Kartel collaboration. “The Kartel effect is real,” he declared. “I’ve seen my life change in 24 hours.”