Drake Reps Vybz Kartel With “Free World Boss” Shirt While In Studio

Canadian rapper Drake is the latest to voice his support for incarcerated Dancehall star Vybz Kartel, as Gaza fans eagerly await the Jamaica Court of Appeal’s decision on a possible retrial after his conviction was overturned last month.

On Tuesday (April 2), the Passionfruit rapper showed support for Kartel by boasting his very own “Free Kartel” t-shirt with his 146 million Instagram followers. 

The shirt, which was hung up on display during a studio session, shows an illustration of Kartel sitting like royalty on a throne with a barely clad female perched at his feet. The slogans, “Free Kartel”, “Free World Boss,” and “Up 2 Di Time” are also printed on the front – the latter was the name of Kartel’s 2003 debut album, which gave us early classics such as Sen On, New Millennium, Sweet To The Belly, Pv$$y Jaw, Why You Doing It, Buss It Off among others.

Speculations are that Drake may be sending a clue that he and Kartel have a collaboration in the works. “Why y’all think he’s in the studio? I feel another timestamp classic coming #12AmInCalifornia,” one IG fan commented. 

DJ Akademiks, who reshared the post, remarked, “Drake in the studio repping da Gaza Boss. Dancehall Boss and more importantly World Boss Adidja Palmer aka Vybz Kartel, collab?”

Another wrote, “Song overdue 🔥🔥”

Over the years, Drake has expressed enduring support and respect for Vybz Kartel, labeling him as one of his “biggest inspirations” and “favorite artists.” After the GAZA Emperor’s incarceration, Drake signed his prodigy Popcaan to his OVO Sound Music label and recorded several songs together. 

In a February 2023 interview dubbed ‘Great Is He Album: A Conversation With Popcaan’, the deejay sang Drake’s praises and was evidently appreciative of the bond they had formed. In March 2023, however, the Family deejay hinted at a possible departure from OVO Sound.

For Vybz Kartel, he too has shown support for Drake, doing so during the 2020 feud between the Hotline Bling rapper and his long-time nemesis, Mavado. Fans speculated at the time that Kartel sided with the Toronto rapper when he threw several jabs at the Gully Gad, including calling him an absentee father.

Kartel also posted another of Drake saying, “Addi me daddy. Free up world boss,” insinuating further he was on the rapper’s team.

As Kartel and his GAZA fans await word from the Jamaica Court of Appeal, the Conjugal Visit deejay has been keeping followers up to date with life.

He recently shared photos of his all-grown-up daughter Adi’Anna celebrating her 17th birthday.

Kartel’s latest track, Drag Dem Bat, was released on March 8 – check out the visuals below.