Vybz Kartel’s firstborn, Jaheim Palmer, aka Likkle Vybz, released his first solo EP, Love Lane, on Valentine’s Day on his Uptown Gaza Records label. He said he wanted to release something dedicated to the ladies: "I just want the work to speak for itself, honestly. [It's] four songs for the ladies, because you know that you cannot leave the ladies out. I really want them to resonate well with anyone who takes the time out to listen to what I have to say," Likkle Vybz said.

This EP is a different vibe, a different style than we are used to hearing from Likkle Vybz. He has been doing music for a while now—when your father is one of the most popular Jamaican artists ever, that will happen—first as a duo known as PG13, starting in 2014 with his younger brother Likkle Addi, and then releasing tracks over the years such as “Fully Gaza,” “No Cap,” “Lemonade,” and “Rich Off.” There is real growth we hear from Likkle Vybz with this 4-track EP.

"I've been wanting to drop a solo EP for a while now, so I have been putting in the work to build myself musically,” he recently told The Star. “I was at home looking for some rhythms, and I found one by Kahtion Beatz, and instantly I was hooked and started the hook. I wrote that song (“Ready”) the same night. I eventually went back to it and fixed it, and then we perfected it in the studio, and the same for the other tracks where perfection is concerned; some songs took longer than some naturally,” the deejay told the Jamaica Observer.

“Ready” is the first track, and the first thing that hit me was how different this song was from his others. Not in a bad way at all, just not expecting to hear what I was hearing. It’s an appealing beat and groove, and I can understand why he got hooked. He has a great flow throughout; you can hear the maturity and growth in his voice and lyrics. Loving the flute at the end, just taking the rhythm to another level.

He follows up with “Miss Independent,” an infectious, silky beat. The blending of rhythmic patterns makes it a perfect song to get up on your feet and hit the dancefloor. Likkle Vybz brings charmingly catchy lyrics with an energetic melody.

Vybz Kartel joins his son on “Secret” with a nice, solid beat and rhythm. The guitar flows over the beat, flowing right along with Likkle Vybz’s vocals. While this song is a slow and chill groove, Vybz Kartel comes in HARD—no surprise—and it adds another level to the song. They really complement each other with their styles, cadence, and voices.

The EP is finished with what is probably my favorite track, “Best Friend.” I just really love Likkle Vybz’s sound and lyrics in this. His flow is great, taking us along this journey, flowing through the beat with melodious vocals and harmonious phrases. The rhythm just has me grooving and bobbing my head.

This is a really good EP, one that makes me want more and will have me waiting for more from Likkle Vybz. When your parent is such a huge name in music—not just in Jamaica but worldwide—it can be hard to find your own style and break away on your own. I think we are seeing the maturity of Jaheim, but also him finding his own way, his own style, while still keeping close to the “family business.” His father has been a huge influence on his life and career, of course: “He has had a great impact and, even during the creative process, I took some time out to appreciate the influence on my style, especially for this project. It’s a great feeling, honestly, it reassures me that I’m progressing and going in the right direction,” he recently told the Jamaica Observer.

This is for the ladies, but it is really for everyone—great rhythms, lyrics, and beats.

One Love,
Todd Judd