Vybz Kartel Earns Two Mentions; Valiant Also Lands on Billboard’s Fresh Picks
- Kaboom Editors
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
“Panic” with Shenseea and “Clock Dat” with Yung Bredda lead the list, which also includes Valiant, Moyann, Christopher Martin, Zagga, and rising talent Tielo Lanez
Vybz Kartel and Shenseea earn mention on the list.
Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks continues to spotlight standout moments across the Caribbean entertainment scene, with a strong focus on Jamaica’s ever-evolving soundscape.
In its latest column, the publication highlighted several key milestones shaping the culture, including Keznamdi’s first career Grammy win, while also acknowledging the undeniable dominance of DJ Mac and CrashDummy’s viral “WYFL” riddim, which has been running the streets since its release last November. The roundup also referenced major cultural touchpoints such as Protoje’s Lost In Time festival and Shaggy’s Island Music Conference, both continuing to strengthen Jamaica’s global music footprint.
As expected, the column also spotlighted the leading tracks shaping the month. Dancehall kingpin Vybz Kartel secured two placements on the list, including the first official single from his forthcoming God & Time LP, “Panic,” featuring Jamaican superstar Shenseea - the pair’s first collaboration since their breakout hit “Loodi” nearly a decade ago. Billboard praised the track, noting that “Panic seamlessly brings the sunny energy of ’00s dancehall into 2026.”
Kartel also appears alongside Trinidadian soca star Yung Bredda on “Clock Dat,” with the publication highlighting Bredda as “providing a nice parallel to Kartel’s brash tone and doubling down on his penchants for cross-generational and cross-genre collaborations.”
Also making the list is Valiant’s new single “You Deserve Better,” produced by the acclaimed Daseca. The editor described the record as “pairing dark, brooding production with a slinky delivery laced with dirty-macking seduction,” while adding that Valiant continues to cement himself as the natural heir to Dexta Daps’ R&D (rhythm and dancehall) crown.
Among the other picks is Moyann with her sultry track “Share,” produced by Shane “Shakespare” Brown, while Christopher Martin’s “Don’t Cry” was highlighted as “a reminder of reggae’s power to revolutionize personal politics.”
Established singer Zagga also appears on the list with “Right Man,” lifted from his album Piece of Paradise, delivering a song centered on unconditional, unwavering love. Rising talent Tielo Lanez continues to gain recognition as well, this time with “Strike,” a track packed with the kind of X-rated bars that define modern dancehall.
Additional selections on the list include music from two-time Grammy-nominated artiste Jesse Royal, Zion Marley, and dancehall talent Sp!da.
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