Vybz Kartel, Jamaica's once-notorious dancehall artist, has emerged as a changed man after serving time for murder. His newfound sobriety and sense of purpose are evident in his words as he discusses life on the outside.
"I hear a key shake, it traumatise me," Kartel admits, recalling the sound that used to signal the start of headcounts in prison. The simple noise is now enough to send him into anxiety. He also talks about how his sleeping habits have changed and how he goes hard on smoking and drinking since his release. Despite these vices, he refuses therapy, choosing instead to let his problems work themselves out.
Kartel's journey from dancehall star to convicted murderer was swift. Arrested in 2011 for marijuana possession, he spent years in custody before being charged with murder. The trial highlighted the darker side of Jamaican society, where violence and politics are deeply intertwined. Kartel's involvement in a notorious gang and his lyrics, which glorified violence and homophobia, only added to the controversy.
Yet, in recent interviews, Kartel has sought to rebrand himself as a changed man. He speaks passionately about the need for love and unity, calling on his fans to support each other rather than tearing one another down. The lyrics that once earned him a reputation for being homophobic have been replaced by messages of acceptance and inclusivity.
Kartel's relationship with Lizard, his associate who was murdered in 2011, remains shrouded in mystery. While he maintains that he did not kill the man, he acknowledges the circumstances surrounding the crime. The Jamaican justice system, Kartel claims, is "corrupt" and failed him during his time behind bars.
One of the most striking aspects of Kartel's story is how it has played out against a backdrop of changing attitudes in Jamaica. In 2015, he expressed support for the pool party crowd, hinting at a possible interest in politics. However, when asked about running for office, he quickly retreated, citing concerns about violence and his own safety.
Today, Kartel is focused on expanding dancehall's reach globally, collaborating with Afrobeats artists, and striking a balance between commercial appeal and artistic integrity. His aim is to make dancehall tracks that can be enjoyed universally, like Bob Marley's "One Love."
Mostly, however, Kartel seems to be embracing freedom. He prays daily, has removed old tattoos of the devil's head and the number 666, and feels good about his life. Despite ongoing health issues, he remains optimistic, insisting that nothing can bring him down.
As Kartel navigates this new chapter in his life, it is clear that the past still haunts him. The scars of prison may never fully heal, but with each passing day, he seems to be learning how to live with them. His story serves as a reminder that even those who have been broken can find redemption and start anew.
"I hear a key shake, it traumatise me," Kartel admits, recalling the sound that used to signal the start of headcounts in prison. The simple noise is now enough to send him into anxiety. He also talks about how his sleeping habits have changed and how he goes hard on smoking and drinking since his release. Despite these vices, he refuses therapy, choosing instead to let his problems work themselves out.
Kartel's journey from dancehall star to convicted murderer was swift. Arrested in 2011 for marijuana possession, he spent years in custody before being charged with murder. The trial highlighted the darker side of Jamaican society, where violence and politics are deeply intertwined. Kartel's involvement in a notorious gang and his lyrics, which glorified violence and homophobia, only added to the controversy.
Yet, in recent interviews, Kartel has sought to rebrand himself as a changed man. He speaks passionately about the need for love and unity, calling on his fans to support each other rather than tearing one another down. The lyrics that once earned him a reputation for being homophobic have been replaced by messages of acceptance and inclusivity.
Kartel's relationship with Lizard, his associate who was murdered in 2011, remains shrouded in mystery. While he maintains that he did not kill the man, he acknowledges the circumstances surrounding the crime. The Jamaican justice system, Kartel claims, is "corrupt" and failed him during his time behind bars.
One of the most striking aspects of Kartel's story is how it has played out against a backdrop of changing attitudes in Jamaica. In 2015, he expressed support for the pool party crowd, hinting at a possible interest in politics. However, when asked about running for office, he quickly retreated, citing concerns about violence and his own safety.
Today, Kartel is focused on expanding dancehall's reach globally, collaborating with Afrobeats artists, and striking a balance between commercial appeal and artistic integrity. His aim is to make dancehall tracks that can be enjoyed universally, like Bob Marley's "One Love."
Mostly, however, Kartel seems to be embracing freedom. He prays daily, has removed old tattoos of the devil's head and the number 666, and feels good about his life. Despite ongoing health issues, he remains optimistic, insisting that nothing can bring him down.
As Kartel navigates this new chapter in his life, it is clear that the past still haunts him. The scars of prison may never fully heal, but with each passing day, he seems to be learning how to live with them. His story serves as a reminder that even those who have been broken can find redemption and start anew.
I'm kinda mixed about Vybz Kartel's transformation... on one hand, it's dope to see him finding himself again & spreading positivity vibes 
after being through some dark times. But, at the same time, I worry he's glossing over his past mistakes & the harm he caused with his old lyrics & associations 
. It's like, we should be acknowledging what went wrong instead of just moving forward 
. That being said, I do appreciate him trying to make amends & use his platform for good 
. His new music does sound fire! 
What do you guys think?
. The guy who was all about the drama and violence has really changed his act... or should I say, his life? 
It's crazy to see how far he's come from a notorious gang member to someone who's spreading love and unity through his music. His message of acceptance and inclusivity is much needed in Jamaica right now 
. Anyway, I'm excited to see where his music takes him now and how he'll use his platform to make a positive impact 
You know Vybz Kartel's past is pretty wild but it's crazy how much he's transformed since his release 
It's like he's trying to make amends for the pain he caused. I'm not gonna lie though, some of those old lyrics still give me the creeps 
But at the same time, it's dope that he's collaborating with Afrobeats artists and trying to take dancehall global 
He's got a lot of hate but also a lot of love for his fans, so I'm rooting for him 
The most inspiring part is how he's learning to live with his past and move forward without being held back by it 
It's all about personal growth and redemption, you know? 
he's really come out swinging (no pun intended) with his new music and message of love and unity 
has he really left that life behind? only time will tell 
. He's been open about his struggles with sobriety and finding purpose outside of prison, which is admirable. Plus, he's trying to use his platform for good, promoting love and unity in the music industry 
. Let's just hope he can stay on track and make a positive impact on the world 
. The fact that he's embracing sobriety & mental health (even if he doesn't want therapy 
) shows us that anyone can change & grow 
.
. He's not afraid to share his anxiety or admit when he needs help, which is something we could all learn from 
. Plus, it's awesome to see him using his platform for good, promoting unity & acceptance 
I mean, think about it... Kartel's release from prison coincided with the rise of Afrobeats and his new collaborations... It's like he's trying to rebrand himself to fit in with the global music scene. But what if this is just a ploy to distract us from the real issues? 
Have you seen his interviews lately? The way he talks about his past... it's almost too good to be true. 
And what about Lizard? Wasn't that murder just a cover-up for something bigger? 
I'm not saying Kartel is still involved in the gang life or anything, but you can't just rewrite your entire history and expect everyone to believe it. 
And he's trying to start a new music career too... I guess it's cool that he's embracing freedom and all, but don't you think his past should have some impact on who he is today? 
. He's like "oh I used to do this" and then he's talking about how much he loves love and unity 
like, kudos to him for removing his old devil tattoos 
hopefully he can use his platform to spread love and positivity 
but now he's all about love & unity 
because it reminds him of prison life, but now he's dealing with anxiety rather than trauma 
I mean, sure, it's cool that he's talking about unity and love now, but let's be real, his past is still pretty shady 
He was part of a notorious gang, glorified violence in his lyrics, and even admitted to killing someone (although he claims it wasn't him). And now he's just going hard on smoking and drinking again? 
That doesn't seem like much of a change to me.
But we need more than just empty words and a new look to prove that he's truly changed 
Also, I'm curious about why the Jamaican justice system failed him – what did they do wrong, exactly? It feels like we're just scratching the surface of things without digging deep enough. 
. The problem is, that might come at the cost of his artistic integrity... and the authenticity of his "changed man" persona 
And what's with the lack of therapy? Isn't that a good thing for his mental health? 
And I'm loving the fact that he's collaborating with Afrobeats artists - that's some cool vibes right there!