Vybz Kartel Fans Are Not Happy With Diana King’s Comments
Two days ago Diana King took to social media to express her views about Dancehall artistes being able to release music while incarcerated. The 49-year-old singer who is best known for her hit single Shy Guy released in 1995, has Dancehall fans torn over whether or not the practice should be allowed in Jamaican prisons.
However, Vybz Kartel’s fans formed most of the opinions against her take on the matter. While King did not specifically mention Vybz Kartel, the timing of her comments coincided with the release Kartel’s latest album, To Tanesha.
Her Instagram post, which has over 7000 views and more than 600 comments, has drawn both support and ire from fans.
The original post was: “I’ll never be able to ignore the fact that a convicted artist/prisoner serving time, be it for murder/rape, can still record and release music from prison in Jamaica,” a disgruntled Diana King said. “How do you all do it? Is it because it wasnt you who was raped or your luved one killed???” she wrote.”
Under a barrage of online backlash from mainly Vybz Kartel fans, King has apparently deactivated her Instagram account. In one post the openly gay singer had described the situation as bullying and harassment as she tagged the FBI, Facebook, United Nations, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the US Embassy in Jamaica, and the Jamaican PM Andrew Holness for help.
Some fans jumped to her defense, like this one who said: “Is all this vitriol really necessary? All of you cussing @Dianakingdom, if someone raped or killed your mother, and you kept hearing their songs or seeing their videos online, and hearing people demanding that the person be freed, how would you feel? Be honest. She isn’t hating on any artist, she is just wondering how this happens. When Buju was incarcerated we heard nothing from him. So why do we hear songs from people who are incarcerated for rape or murder? If you think it’s okay, explain why. But please don’t trace Diana like that. She doesn’t deserve it.”
Another stated: “you people are sick a truth she a talk no matter if a you favourite artist or not 💯% facts I like his music and I give him credit for been a lyricist but none for been a murder…until it reach a some a you door step u won’t find fault with it and talk the truth reason why as a jamaican me hate been around some a me own people dem smh.”
However the vast majority of commenters did not take too kindly to her point of view and released a flurry of anger on her page.
One person said: “Hype you a live after Rasclart Gimmicks Publicity Stunt you a look for #DutttyDianaKing” while another added: “Hello badmind. Good night. You are angry because Vybz Kartel is unstoppable, runaway train.”
Another fan said: “Ohh really if that’s the case, then writers in prison shouldn’t publish books, Welders and Carpenters shouldn’t make and repair furnitures for the public workers and students in various institutions. Don’t forget the main function of the prison dictated by law is to reform the individual not break them. So plz remember this is #ExilePharaoh #vybzkartel world and your just passing through.”
Another fan accused her of trying to use Kartel’s name to get back in the spotlight: “you just want to hear ur name mention once again & the only way to start a conversation is by mentioning @vybzkartel and work he have done over the years… you have ur time of fame now it’s a different time now, so whether a man is in prison or on the road making money is still essential to sustain & take care of there family, it’s the Jamaican way (by any means necessary) so now u have ppl talking about you, I’m wondering if it’s a publicity stunt to put out new music??? And by the way you nuh run lef yard🤔🤔.”
So it seems while some fans are sympathetic to King’s point of view, Dancehall fans especially Kartel’s own are just not having it.