As the entertainment community keenly follows the prospects of Vybz Kartel’s release from incarceration we look at a few times his songs have influenced the dress code in dancehall.

Clarks – 2010

One of the most internationally recognisable Dancehall songs over the last 24 years, Clarks acted as a potent marketing stimulant that caused monumental hype around the shoe brand.

While Clarks has been part of the Jamaican culture since the early 90s, the hit featuring Popcaan, “Gaza Slim” not only created a Tsunami of interest over the footwear locally but also revived a global interest in the UK-based shoe brand, where it has since retained its profile as a go to fashion.

Its impact still resonates as a staple reference to the dancehall fashion culture.

New Jordans – 2014

Whilst not on the seismic scale of Clarks, Kartel’s 2014 highlight on the popular US brand coincided with the fad around wearing the latest Jordan sneakers in the latter part of that year going into 2015, especially among the younger fanbase.

Jersey – 2003

This 2003 Kartel release is another hail to the US urban fashion, which underscored an era that saw the popular incorporation of sports apparel as part of the dancehall style during that time. The single remains a throwback classic, especially among sports-themed events.

Straight Jeans and Fitted – 2010

In addition to the Clarks phenomenon, 2010 was also coined the era of G-shock sports watches, white t-shirts and baseball caps, coming on the heels of the Kartel hit “Straight Jeans and Fitted.“

The Rvssian featured single essentially popularised the minimalist look, which was deemed an “uptown” swag and became a staple image within the dancehall space during that period.