Vybz Kartel and Shenseea Reunite on Panic, First Collab Since 2016

Vybz Kartel (Adidja Palmer) and Shenseea (Chinsea Lee) reunited on the single "Panic," released February 20, 2026 and billed as the first official single from Kartel’s upcoming album God & Time. According to Worldmusicviews, the single debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Reggae iTunes chart within one hour of release, a run that outlet says marked Kartel’s third chart-topping release in two weeks and Shenseea’s first No. 1 of the year.

The collaboration is the duo’s first recorded pairing since 2016’s "Loodi," which debuted in October 2016 credited as Shenseea featuring Vybz Kartel and is widely credited with helping put Shenseea on the map. DancehallMag outlines the post-"Loodi" history: Kartel released an "original" version in 2017 and said it was not meant to be a collaboration, a move that sparked accusations that Shenseea had stolen the song; Kartel later posted a 2020 accusation on social media that he subsequently deleted. At the time of "Loodi," Kartel was serving a life sentence in prison; he was freed in July 2024 after serving 13 years when his conviction was overturned.

Production credits on "Panic" reflect a larger roster than the pair’s earlier work. DancehallMag and The360mag list Linton "TJ" White of TJ Records as producer, identified in reporting as the "Fever hitmaker", with Vybz Kartel Muzik also credited. DancehallMag names Jamaican composers Ricardo "Redboom Supamix" Reid, Christopher Birch and Jordan "Chimney" McClure among contributors to the single.

A music video directed by Shane Creative (credited also with handle @4fortyFouratelier) was shot in Miami and released alongside the single. The360mag describes the visuals as featuring "towering speaker boxes, bold Caribbean color, batty riders, nonstop waistlines, and steamy island heat," calling the clip vibrant and rooted in dancehall tradition while reflecting the artists’ global polish.

Press framing around the release stresses club and social-media readiness. The360mag calls "Panic" a "poppy, bounce-heavy, dancehall rhythm built for clubs, TikTok timelines, and late-night speakers worldwide," while Worldmusicviews notes the track "blends a modern, hard-hitting dancehall sound with the gritty lyrical swagger and unmistakable ad-libs" associated with Kartel’s previous hits. Kartel framed the record in historic terms, saying, "We made a statement with ‘Loodi’ a decade ago, one that helped put Shenseea on the map. ‘Panic’ is another one for the history books," and adding, "This is for the fans who’ve been there from day one and for the new generation running with the sound now. It’s God & Time, everything aligning when it’s supposed to."

"Panic" is available across streaming platforms, and more details on Kartel’s God & Time album are expected in the coming months as the pair’s reunion shifts from single release to the wider rollout.