When Vybz Kartel stepped out of the shadows, his voice echoed through the corridors of the Four Seasons hotel in London. At 49 years old, he still radiates an aura of swagger and charisma that has captivated millions around the world. Yet, as our conversation unfolded, it became clear that the experience of prison had left its indelible mark on him.
Kartel's words were laced with vulnerability, a stark contrast to his public persona. He discussed the lasting psychological effects of incarceration, from sleeping habits that have been disrupted by the jingling of keys in prison cells, to the struggle to breathe and walk after being released due to severe health issues.
He spoke candidly about his relationship with Clive "Lizard" Williams, who was killed during a turf war between rival gangs. Kartel has maintained that he did not kill Lizard, but rather believes there was conspiracy against him by Jamaican authorities. His conviction and subsequent acquittal left him shaken, both physically and emotionally.
One of the most striking aspects of our conversation was his introspection on the lyrics that once fueled violence and hate speech in Jamaica's dancehall scene. Kartel acknowledged that he had contributed to the problem but expressed a desire for redemption. He spoke of wanting to "push love and unity," something he should have done years ago.
A fascinating paradox emerged as we discussed Kartel's views on politics. While he is critical of Jamaican corruption, he also celebrates the UK privy council for delivering justice. This ambivalence stems from his experience within Jamaica's justice system, which left him disillusioned with the country's ability to deliver fairness and equality.
Today, Kartel appears determined to escape the shadows of his past. With a renewed focus on dancehall's global reach, he is keenly aware of how to balance commercial appeal with artistic integrity. In an interview, he declared that "nothing can ruin my day or energy" as he pursues a cleaner path and begins to shed old tattoos that symbolized his former life.
As Kartel embarked on this new chapter in his journey, it was clear that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. Yet, for all its complexity, his story serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience, growth, and redemption.
Kartel's words were laced with vulnerability, a stark contrast to his public persona. He discussed the lasting psychological effects of incarceration, from sleeping habits that have been disrupted by the jingling of keys in prison cells, to the struggle to breathe and walk after being released due to severe health issues.
He spoke candidly about his relationship with Clive "Lizard" Williams, who was killed during a turf war between rival gangs. Kartel has maintained that he did not kill Lizard, but rather believes there was conspiracy against him by Jamaican authorities. His conviction and subsequent acquittal left him shaken, both physically and emotionally.
One of the most striking aspects of our conversation was his introspection on the lyrics that once fueled violence and hate speech in Jamaica's dancehall scene. Kartel acknowledged that he had contributed to the problem but expressed a desire for redemption. He spoke of wanting to "push love and unity," something he should have done years ago.
A fascinating paradox emerged as we discussed Kartel's views on politics. While he is critical of Jamaican corruption, he also celebrates the UK privy council for delivering justice. This ambivalence stems from his experience within Jamaica's justice system, which left him disillusioned with the country's ability to deliver fairness and equality.
Today, Kartel appears determined to escape the shadows of his past. With a renewed focus on dancehall's global reach, he is keenly aware of how to balance commercial appeal with artistic integrity. In an interview, he declared that "nothing can ruin my day or energy" as he pursues a cleaner path and begins to shed old tattoos that symbolized his former life.
As Kartel embarked on this new chapter in his journey, it was clear that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. Yet, for all its complexity, his story serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience, growth, and redemption.
he spoke so honestly about the trauma of prison life & how it affected him 
like who knew that the dancehall king was struggling with sleep & breathing issues after his release? 
but what really got me is that he's trying to redeem himself by spreading love & unity 
I'm all for it, let's get behind this dude and support his new vibe 
. i mean, he's been through some crazy stuff - prison, violence, conspiracy... but he's still standing and trying to make amends. it's crazy how much his experiences have shaped him, from the way he sleeps to how he feels about politics. he's got a lot of demons to work through, but at least he's being honest with himself and others about them 
. and you can tell he's still got that swag, even if it is a little worn out 
. it's amazing how the music industry has given him a second chance to redeem himself and spread love and unity instead of hate 
. i'm rooting for vybz kartel to continue on this path and inspire others to do the same 
.
HE'S BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH AND YET HE'S STILL GOT THAT SWAGGER ABOUT HIM. IT'S AMAZING HOW WE CAN ALL BE COMPLEX PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SIDES TO OUR PERSONALITIES. I GUESS WHAT'S REALLY COOL ABOUT THIS STORY IS HOW HE'S TRYING TO PUSH LOVE AND UNITY IN HIS MUSIC, IT'S LIKE HE'S FOUND A NEW PASSION IN LIFE 
. I'M GLAD HE'S SHEDDING THOSE OLD TATTOOS THAT SYMBOLIZED HIS FORMER LIFE, IT'S LIKE HE'S STARTING FRESH!
, but at the same time, I gotta feel for him about dealin' with all the trauma from his prison days 
. It's like, he's tryin' to find a way to make it work, you feel? And them tattoos? Forget about it, dude, they're like, totally a symbol of his past life 
. Anyways, I'm rootin' for him and all 
he went thru so much in prison & it messed w/ him mentally & physically 
i'm glad he's speakin out about the issues w/ Jamaican corruption, but at the same time he's also got to deal w/ his own feelings on politics 