By Jaide Edwards
After over a decade behind bars, Jamaican dancehall legend Vybz Kartel has reemerged on the global stage, reaffirming his indelible impact on the genre. His recent sold-out performances at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center marked his return to live concerts and celebrated a legacy that has profoundly influenced music and culture worldwide.
Kartel, who was born Adidja Palmer, was found guilty in 2014 of killing Clive “Lizard” Williams in 2011 and given a life sentence with the possibility of release after 35 years. After 13 years, he was released in 2024 after his conviction was reversed because of juror misconduct.
Kartel continued to produce a lot of songs while he was inside. He released several albums demonstrating his adaptability and tenacity, such as Viking (Vybz Is King) and To Tanesha. Vybz Kartel joined presenters Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds for a video chat for an episode of the Juan Ep Is Life podcast. The most unexpected aspect of the discussion, however, was when they started discussing the enormous quantity of music that Kartel produced while incarcerated, approximately twenty-five minutes into the show, said Billboard. The biggest, well-known single, “Fever,” was released in 2016 as a single for his album King Of The Dancehall, which instantly became a hit song while still in prison.
Kartel said that he would record his voice primarily at night or while the guards were on a lunch break, always keeping an eye out for any who could be on patrol.
“I’d still have to be watching,” said Kartel. “I would then sing … then I’d have to get up and look. It was crazy. It was line by line!”
All of his releases in prison he recorded on an Apple iPhone because it had the best sound quality. According to Billboard, Kartel said he would mimic the padding in a recording booth in a studio by using the mattress from his bed. He would wrap the mattress around his head and record while holding the phone about three feet away from his face. He would then use an iPad to play a beat and an iPhone to record vocals for a demo. After that, Kartel would send both to an engineer, who would combine all the parts to create a whole song.
Kartel made his first appearances in the United States after more than two decades on April 11 and 12, 2025, when he headlined two straight sold-out performances at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Fans traveled from around the country to attend the Reggae Fest events, which were praised as historic.
Prominent performers who paid respect to Kartel’s contributions to dancehall included Spice, Popcaan, Skeng, Shenseea, Busta Rhymes, his two sons Likkle Vybz and Likkle Addi, Beenie Man, and many more. Their performances highlighted how highly regarded and admired Kartel is in the music industry.
“This was an emotional and amazing night — something I’ve dreamed of,” Kartel said to the Vibe after the first show. “I knew this show would be explosive. My New York fans have been waiting a long time, so being back felt like a full-circle moment. I had to pinch myself.”
With upcoming appearances at significant international festivals and in the US, Kartel’s comeback is going strong. On May 17, he will play at Sunrise, Florida. Then, on July 13, 2025, he will join Burna Boy and Drake at London’s Wireless Festival. He will also carry on with his Freedom Street Europe tour. You can find tickets on Ticketmaster.
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Photo courtesy of Joseph Okpako, 2025. Getty Images.