Bounty Killer Says ‘The System In Jamaica Went After’ Vybz Kartel
Bounty Killer is convinced that the “system” in Jamaica “went after” incarcerated Dancehall artist Vybz Kartel.
In fact, the Action Speak Louder than Words singer, whose real name is Rodney Price, believes if his mentee is to be freed, that decision would have to come from outside of the island.
Bounty Killer was speaking to American rapper and actor Fat Joe on #TheFatJoeShow on Instagram Live on Wednesday night.
“He is getting an appeal from a higher court overseas. So they are still in the whole process of appealing,” Bounty Killer responded when the American rapper and actor asked if there was any hope for Kartel being released from prison soon.
Bounty Killer continued: “But I know the system in Jamaica doesn’t want to let out Vybz Kartel. Despite discrepancies in his case, or questionable things, they deliberately wanted to lock up Kartel.
“The system in Jamaica went after Kartel. So, despite what his case or the scenario was, they wanted him. So if he is gonna get any freedom, it’s gonna have to come from a higher court overseas, but not Jamaica system, they wanted Kartel; they used him as an example,” he said.
Bounty Killer pointed out that he couldn’t say whether the popular dancehall star, who last year paid homage to Killer, is innocent or not, but he also cannot say he is guilty from what he was told in the case and the affidavit.
“There are lots of discrepancies… there’s a lot of tampering with the evidence. It questionable; so that’s why people kept saying ‘Free Vybz Kartel’,” Killer told Fat Joe.
Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, and his co-accused received life sentences in 2014 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Kartel, who has been in prison since 2011, was ordered to serve 35 years before parole, but had two and a half years shaved off his sentence following an appeal.
His attorney has taken the appeal to the UK Privy Council, Jamaica’s highest appellate court. Two weeks ago, the deejay’s defense team scored a small victory when a cellphone, which reportedly contained damning text and voice messages linking Kartel to the murder of Williams, was allowed to be analyzed by an expert for signs of tampering.
After telling the Book, Book, Book artist at the start of his show that he has always looked up to him, Fat Joe lauded him for having an eye for talent.
Vybz Kartel was one such talent with whom Bounty Killer worked. They collaborated on Gal Clown (2001), In My Eyes with Wayne Marshall (2004), Full Up Of Grass (2006) with Bling Dawg, and High Altitude (2006) with Baby G. Earlier this year, Bounty shared an unreleased collab with Kartel, which he called Good Looking.
Killer told the American rapper that Vybz Kartel represents the streets, the youths, and the “now generation”.
“So they were mad at that?” Fat Joe asked.
“Yes, they were mad at that, and they have it like, ‘Oh, he’s a bad influence’, and he has too much power and control over the culture,” Killer responded.
The recording artist, who is known for his gun talk, told Fat Joe that the authorities tried to put him away, too, but they were unsuccessful.