Vybz Kartel Counts His Blessings Ahead Of 10 Year Anniversary In Prison
September 29, 2021 will mark exactly ten years since the reputed King of Dancehall Vybz Kartel has been incarcerated. Ahead of the anniversary, the deejay is reflecting on where he’s come from and counting his many “blessings” which include, according to him, his health, his wealth, and the fact that he’s now a grandfather for the second time in two years.
In an Instagram clip on Friday (September 24), Kartel, 45, offered fans an update on his money moves and a glimpse into his current state of mind, with an undated photo of himself looking rather healthy and strong, and Reggae starlet Lila Iké’s Where I’m Coming From (2019) to cement his point, using it as background music for the post.
The Gaza boss demonstrated that even though behind bars, he is still exercising his “bank account muscle” as he posited in his song Dollaz, more than a decade ago, and using his wealth to advance his plans for posterity. He explained that his choices were sound and were aimed at creating generational wealth, not only for his children and grandchildren, but also his ancestors, and these accomplishments, despite his own circumstances, have made him a very happy and proud father, son, and grandfather.
First to be highlighted among his blessings in the caption were his parents, who he said were now living comfortably in a bigger house at the top of a hill. “Just buy a Bigger house fi me Parents pon di Hill since month,” he wrote.
Next, Kartel revealed that he’s now the grandfather of two, after reports last month that his eldest son, Likkle Vybz was expecting a baby with his girlfriend. To celebrate the new addition to the family, the Something Ah Go Happen singer said he gifted acres of land to the 18-year-old, who was also reportedly given control of the Portmore Empire music label, Adidjahiem Records, earlier this year.
“Transfer Two properties inna me son’s name fi him 18th birthday & buy him 8.9 acres a land fi celebrate the birth of him son this month as well ( me Grandson ),” Kartel said proudly.
In 2020, Kartel welcomed his first grandchild, born to his son Likkle Addi, who was 15 years old at the time.
Yesterday, he also bragged that his oldest daughter, Adi’anna, sat CSEC Math and Biology, but later edited that section of the post to point out that: “me Daughter (get shy & say ‘daddy please take out my part till the results come’)”.
“I’m so proud of her cause she just 14 years old!” Kartel said.
The deejay has four other children namely, Aiko ‘World Boss Jr.’ Palmer, who was credited for his last album Born Fi Dis; two other sons: Kahieme, and Shahiem, who resides in the US; and his youngest daughter, Amani, who is about 10 and resides in Canada.
“Stronger Than Ever”
The Bedroom Slaughteration artist also addressed his mental and physical well-being, noting that he was doing just fine. He also said that he was giving thanks for his accomplishments and was not merely bragging, or celebrating material things.
“Me stronger dan ever mentally and physically after dem did think me a go mashup🤭,” he said. “Celebrating Vanity? No! A Blessing me a count!”
During his recent prison interview with FOX5NY’s Lisa Evers, Kartel admitted that he had been sick for a few years. In 2019, the Worl’ Boss’ former lawyer, Valerie Neita-Robertson, revealed that he suffered from a thyroid problem after he had taken ill and underwent treatment at a hospital.
He told Evers that, “mentally, I’ve always been in a good place because I know I’m innocent and I know I’m coming out.”
Kartel concluded the Instagram post with a message to his supporters and detractors alike. “Bigup me Supporters ❤ & a #SpecialBigup to my haters, Both of you doing a Great job to motivate Unstoppable Me,” he said. “From Humble beginnings, but the Legacy continues.. when I look at where I’m coming from🎼🎵 -Lila like.”
Reactions
He was hailed by his son Likkle Vybz who noted: “Legacy shall live on 👣 ❤️”.
Other cheers from his accomplishments came from Shaniel Muir, Jesse Royal and Spice who wrote: “Doing it From behind the bloooodclaaat BARS ‼️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 #GOAT
He was also championed by Busta Rhymes who wrote: “GODLY!!!! 👑👑👑👑👑👑”. In response Kartel wrote, a quote expressing gratitude to not only Busta Rymes, but to Bounty Killer, for whom he expressed his profound love.
“@bustarhymes nuff yuh do for me as well G Bless up! @grunggaadzilla me Love you As a father love a son,” he told the Warlord.
Other stars expressing congratulations were DJ Lava, DJ Akademiks, Rvssian, Shawn Storm, Rvssian, Sean Kingston, beatmaker Din-Din of Hemton Music, producer Jon FX, Dre Island and Cham, who wrote: “We Get Stronger And Stronger!!!”
An overwhelmed Lila Iké replied to the use of her song on Kartel’s page. “MORE BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOURS #RICHFOREVER 💪,” she wrote later adding: “No words”, indicating that she was at a loss for words.
The Solitude singer also reposted Kartel’s original post on her own Instagram page and professed how the recognition of her song by one of Dancehall’s most prolific writers, was a most momentous occasion to her.
“4am in London and me jus sit down inna me hotel room shock fi the past few minutes. @vybzkartel you have no idea what this means to me!!! More blessings to you and yours #UTG #GAZA #whereimcomingfrom,” she noted.
Net Worth
Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer, is no stranger to investment and entrepreneurship as his business acumen was evident when he established his Gaza Empire more than a decade ago.
Up to March 20, 2020, his net worth was estimated at between US$2.5 million and US$5 million. His assets have accumulated from his royalties and publishing rights from his music and his other business ventures and from his non-fiction book Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto which was added to the Princeton University library collection in August 2013.
In April 2016, he launched his Gaza Vybz Rum as a follow-up to Street Vybz Rum, which was introduced in 2008 and was a partnership between the deejay and businessman Corey Todd. Production of the liquor had come to a halt in 2011 when there was a conflict between the two men.
Kartel also had other business arrangements taking place whilst behind bars and is in fact within his right to do so as there is no law prohibiting him from having businesses operating under his guidance.
Ten Years Behind Bars
The singer has been in custody since September 29, 2011, when he was arrested at a Kingston hotel for possession of marijuana. Days later he was charged with the July 2011 murder of promoter Barrington “Bossie” Burton but he was later acquitted in that case.
He was also implicated in the August 2011 murder of his associate Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, whose body has never been found. In 2014, Kartel and his co-accused, Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John, all received life sentences after they were found guilty of Lizard’s murder. Kartel was ordered to serve 35 years before he is eligible for parole, while Storm, Jones, and St John were ordered to serve 25 years minimum.
In April 2020, the Jamaica Court of Appeal largely upheld their conviction, but found that the original trial judge had made an oversight during sentencing. The four men’s parole-serving times were reduced by two and a half years each.
The singer’s final appeal is now before the UK Privy Council, Jamaica’s highest appellate court. However, if that fails, Kartel will be eligible for parole around the year 2046. He’ll be 70 then.