Reggae artist Blvk H3ro says Vybz Kartel is a role model for him, and other youngsters who grew up in Waterford, Portmore.
Kartel was released from prison on July 31, 2024, after his murder conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal. Amidst the celebration comes reflection from H3ro about the Dancehall deejay that he and other community members knew. “For me, it’s not even a career thing, his impact on music is evident, but speaking as a youth from Waterford, he is our Michael Jackson, our superstar,” Blvk H3ro told DancehallMag.
“So, of course, we as youths pay keen attention to whatever him ah do, so up to the time I find myself becoming an artist, all the things I noticed him doing start coming into play, like a switch clicked on in my brain. The insane work ethic, the image, the intelligence in interviews, the natural swag, the ability to always be myself, and the versatility in my musical delivery, like, those are the things I noticed and just applied subconsciously to my journey. That’s what inspiration does, it transfers and takes on new life with someone else’s heavens,” he added.
Grammy-nominated Blvk H3ro is best known for songs like It Nuh Easy, Love In Love and Outside. Last year, he released his debut album, On A Mission.
He recalled his first, and only interaction with the self-proclaimed ‘King of Dancehall’ some years ago. Though brief, it remains fresh in his mind.
“I met him once when I was younger,” he said. “My mom was a dress maker in our community of Waterford, so she was close with his mom and many of the other big ooman in the area. She made the church dresses and the hats and she even dabbled in a little fashion. So, I used to deliver the things for her pon my scooter and one day I did go drop off something from my mom to this mother and just by chance is him me buck up. I remember him bless me up and took the package from me to give to mama. It happened so quick I didn’t even process what happened until long after, but as you can see, I still remember it crystal clear.”
Blvk H3ro didn’t elaborate too much about his thoughts on the verdict, citing that he “isn’t a legal or political scholar.” He did, however, say he is happy that justice has been delivered.
Many fans of Vybz Kartel have been concerned about his health. H3ro has a more natural, holistic approach to life that he believes will help the ‘Worl’ Boss’.
“I can recommend a colon cleanse first, and then a Kure all from King Ises or jus check your community Medicine Man, you know. This is Jamaica, so we have herbs for everything. Even myself, after two years of touring, I just finished a colon cleanse and I feel strong again. So, that’s a shift in diet and mindset and everything will balance out. Mind, body and soul, all three haffi heal! That’s a tip for everybody,” he said.
Despite the controversies and coinciding criticisms, Blvk H3ro says that a large fraction of the Dancehall industry are protégés of Vybz Kartel, and he’s of the belief that the deejay must be given the recognition he deserves.
“He’s called ‘the teacher’ for a reason! Inna real life, Vybz Kartel is super influential. He’s probably the most influential Dancehall artist ever, because his reach and influence don’t just span across our local culture and musical genres but into countries and cultures very distant from our own. This man’s image is iconic and his music defines the Dancehall genre for a good decade or more.”
He continued: “It’s not even a stretch to say he’s influenced an entire generation of dancehall artists. So, all these bold, charismatic, fashionable, controversial dancehall artists from this generation were students of the teacher, myself included. All the blind can see that and still not a lot of the ones give credit where it’s due, but thankfully some make it their duty to pay respects, like Skillibeng.”
The international recording artist hopes that one day, two great acts from the tiny community in Portmore, St Catherine, can ‘link up’ on a track.
