Kartela is charting a different course in Nigeria’s music landscape. At a time when Afrobeats continues to dominate both local and international conversations, the British-Nigerian artiste has remained committed to a genre that has historically occupied the margins of the country’s commercial music ecosystem: dancehall.
While Nigeria has produced artistes who have flirted with dancehall influences, few have made the genre the foundation of their artistic identity. Fewer still have done so as women. For Kartela, however, the decision was never driven by commercial calculations. It was rooted in personal conviction.
Rather than following prevailing trends, she has built her career around the sounds that first drew her to music. Influenced by dancehall heavyweights including Spice, Vybz Kartel and Mavado, she saw an opportunity to present the genre through a distinctly Nigerian perspective instead of competing in an already saturated Afrobeats market.
Her stage name itself pays homage to Vybz Kartel, one of dancehall’s most influential figures, but she is careful to distinguish inspiration from imitation. While the Jamaican icon shaped her appreciation for the genre, Kartela says her artistic vision is firmly rooted in telling her own story as a Nigerian woman navigating a space where female representation remains limited.
That reality has defined much of her journey. Dancehall, both globally and within Nigeria, has long been perceived as a male-dominated genre. Rather than viewing that as a barrier, Kartela has embraced it as motivation, hoping her visibility encourages more women to pursue careers within the space without feeling pressured to conform to more commercially established sounds.
That confidence is reflected in her latest single, “Badder.” The record arrives as both a personal statement and a reflection of her current artistic mindset, built around self-belief and refusing to seek external validation. Although unmistakably rooted in dancehall, the record also incorporates melodic choices and lyrical approaches designed to resonate with Nigerian listeners without diluting the genre’s identity.
In an interview with TurnTable, She shares hopes on her career contributing to a future where Nigerian dancehall enjoys broader recognition, where more women see the genre as a
TTC: Dancehall remains a niche genre in Nigeria compared to Afrobeats. What convinced you this was the space you wanted to build your career in?
Kartela: I’ve never been someone who follows what’s popular just because it’s popular. I have always wanted to be unique in everything I do. Dancehall has always spoken to me on a deeper level. The energy, the confidence, the storytelling and the freedom of expression are all things I naturally connect with. Growing up, I was inspired by artistes like Spice, Vybz Kartel, Mavado and many more. I realised there was a gap for authentic dancehall from a Nigerian female perspective. Instead of seeing that as a disadvantage, I saw it as an opportunity. I’d rather build something unique than compete in an already crowded lane.
TTC: Your music blends Jamaican dancehall traditions with a Nigerian perspective. How have you approached creating a sound that feels authentic to both influences?
Kartela: For me, it’s never about copying Jamaica or abandoning my Nigerian identity. Dancehall is the foundation, but Nigeria is my home, so naturally my experiences, my accent, my slang and my culture come through in the music. I respect the roots of dancehall while allowing my own identity to shape the sound. That’s what authenticity means to me, honouring where the genre comes from while adding my own voice to it.
TTC: Your stage name is inspired by Vybz Kartel. Beyond that influence, how have you worked to establish an identity that is distinctly your own?
Kartela: Vybz Kartel inspired me a lot to embrace dancehall and my name pays respect to someone who influenced my musical journey. I’m a Nigerian woman with my own experiences, perspective and vision. My music, image and message are all built around confidence, originality, and representing women in dancehall. The inspiration may have opened the door, but everything I’m building beyond that is my own story.
TTC: As one of the few women actively championing dancehall in Nigeria, how has navigating a largely male-dominated genre shaped your journey so far?
Kartela: It’s definitely not the easiest path. Sometimes people have underestimated me or assumed dancehall doesn’t have a place in Nigeria. But instead of discouraging me, it’s motivated me even more. Every challenge reminds me why representation matters. I want young girls who love dancehall to know they don’t have to change who they are to belong. If my journey makes it easier for the next generation, then every obstacle has been worth it.
TTC: Afrobeats continues to dominate both locally and globally. Have you ever felt pressure to lean into more mainstream sounds, or has staying true to dancehall always been non-negotiable?
Kartela: Of course the pressure exists because Afrobeats is the biggest sound coming out of Africa right now. But I believe audiences also appreciate authenticity. If I started making music just because it was trending, it wouldn’t feel genuine. That doesn’t mean I’m against experimenting or collaborating with other genres, but dancehall will always be my foundation. My goal isn’t to chase trends,it’s to create music that lasts while staying true to my identity.
TTC: Your latest single, Badder, is built around confidence and self-assurance. What inspired the record, and what does it say about where you are as an artist today?
Kartela: Badder came from a place of believing in myself, even when not everyone else could see the vision. It’s about walking into every room knowing your worth and refusing to shrink yourself to make other people comfortable. That’s exactly where I am in my career. I’m becoming more confident, more fearless and more comfortable embracing who I am as an artiste without seeking validation.
TTC: Badder carries an unmistakable dancehall energy while remaining accessible to Nigerian audiences. How intentional were you about striking that balance?
Kartela: It was very intentional. I wanted the rhythm and energy to stay true to dancehall while making sure Nigerian listeners could naturally connect with it. That’s where my melodies, lyrics and delivery come in. My goal has always been to introduce dancehall to more people without watering it down. I believe you can respect the genre and still make music that feels familiar to audiences here.
TTC: Streaming platforms have made it easier for audiences to discover music across genres. Do you think they’ve created more opportunities for dancehall artistes in Nigeria than traditional gatekeepers?
Kartela: Definitely. Streaming has changed the game. Before, artistes depended heavily on radio, television or industry gatekeepers to reach audiences. Now, if the music connects, it can travel anywhere in the world. It gives independent artistes like me the chance to build communities that genuinely love the music, regardless of genre. That’s especially important for dancehall because fans can now discover artists they might never have heard through traditional channels.
TTC: Beyond commercial success, what do you think needs to happen for dancehall and reggae to become more firmly established within Nigeria’s music ecosystem?
Kartela: I think it starts with consistency. We need more artistes committing to the genre, more producers who understand the sound, more DJs willing to play it, more media platforms highlighting it and more live events where dancehall has a real presence. Genres grow when the entire ecosystem supports them. I believe we’re moving in that direction, and I’m proud to be part of that conversation.
TTC: You have spoken about wanting to open doors for more women in Nigerian dancehall. When people look back on your career years from now, what impact do you hope you’ve had on the genre?
Kartela: I hope people will say Kartela helped make Nigerian dancehall impossible to ignore. I want to be remembered as someone who stayed true to her sound, broke barriers and inspired other women to believe there was space for them in the genre. If years from now there are many successful Nigerian female dancehall artistes and someone says, “Kartela helped pave the way,” that would mean a whole lot to me.
