Vybz Kartel may have secured another Billboard milestone with his latest album God & Time, but the elusive No. 1 spot on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart continues to remain out of reach for the dancehall superstar. The project debuted at No. 6 this week, giving Kartel his 12th entry on the chart and his 10th appearance inside the top 10, further cementing his status as one of Jamaica’s most successful and consistent music exports.
Despite his dominance in dancehall culture and his influence on multiple generations of artistes, Kartel has yet to secure a chart-topping reggae album in the United States. His closest attempt came in 2016 when King of the Dancehall debuted and peaked at No. 2. However, the latest entry reinforces the entertainer’s remarkable longevity in an industry where few dancehall acts manage to maintain relevance for more than two decades.
Interestingly, Kartel now ranks third among Jamaican artistes with the most entries on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart. Reggae icon Bob Marley and dancehall hitmaker Shaggy currently share the top spot with 17 entries each. Marley dominates historically with 12 No. 1 albums, while Shaggy has scored six chart-toppers. Beenie Man sits second with 15 entries, six of which reached No. 1, while Sean Paul ranks fourth with 10 entries and four chart-topping projects.
Meanwhile, Kartel’s latest Billboard success arrives during another major career moment. The deejay recently earned five nominations at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, including Male Dancehall Artist of the Year and People’s Choice Award. With God & Time continuing to generate conversation online and fans debating whether the album deserved a higher debut position, Kartel’s grip on dancehall culture and global music conversations appears as strong as ever.
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