Thanks to deepfake AI technology, imprisoned dancehall star Vybz Kartel appears in a music video for the first time since 2011, joining Rvssian and American rapper Trippy Redd in a recently released visual. 16.
The song’s music video, directed by Shane Creative, owes much of the work on the life of the World Boss to VFX artist VFXByRez. In the video, a real-life Vybz Kartel look-alike superimposes the dancehall megastar’s facial features onto his own face. The result, combined with the actor’s lanky figure and tattoos, is a convincing portrayal of a deejay driving a track led by Rvssian.
This is probably the first time deepfake technology has been used to produce dancehall music at any level. Over the past two years, artificial intelligence has greatly improved its ability to mimic reality as tech companies unveiled tools that make it easy to create synthetic images, sounds, and videos.
The combination of Shane Creative’s vision and VFXByRez’s skill gives the tracks produced by Concussion Records a nostalgic core. It also manages to reignite the magic often seen in Vibbs Kartel’s videos, enlivening the song as a celebration of unconditional friendship and loyalty.
Rvssian and Vybz Kartel take turns celebrating their longstanding friendship, and each reflect on their path to stardom on a mellow-sounding track. Kartel hints that he is going through a bout of grief, switches his gratitude for Lucien’s friendship, and assures the famous producer that he will work with him.
Despite blurring the lines of the backing instrumental, the track feels like a textbook hip-hop ballad, demonstrating an unabashed brotherhood that’s rare in dancehall. There is also That sentiment is further enhanced when Trippie Redd seamlessly alternates singing and rapping into the song.
The video ends with “Vybz Kartel” staring into the distance as the song fades away, adding to the scene of nostalgia and distance.
The last time fans saw Vybz Kartel on screen was the 2011 hit song. daylight saving time.
The former Portmore Empire director was subsequently arrested the same year and sentenced to life in prison in 2014 for the murder of Clive ‘The Lizard’ Williams.
Recent reports surrounding the dancehall star have seen him diagnosed with Graves’ disease and multiple heart conditions, making the current situation particularly life-threatening, according to his attorney Issat Buchanan. It is said that it has become a thing.
