Incarcerated Dancehall superstar, Vybz Kartel insists he has never been physically harmed during his 19-month long jail stay, but claims he has been stabbed in the back by two of his prized protégés.
The controversial entertainer, whose real name is Adidja Palmer has been the subject of rumors once more after reports emerged last month that he was stabbed and beaten in jail during an altercation. Kartel’s business associate and the author of his Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto book, Michael Dawson quickly squashed the speculation.
Kartel himself addressed the rumors in a letter addressed to the Jamaica STAR Wednesday.
“I want the fans to know that I am physically okay. I have never been stabbed, kicked, punched or beaten and I did not try to commit suicide,” he confirmed in the letter. “Jail is undoubtedly, unquestionably the worst place to be on this planet called Earth, but as it relates to my encounters with the correctional officers at the institution, I have no complaints.”
The deejay also says he has received continued support from family and fans behind bars as he awaits the beginning of his murder trials later this month. However, he is unimpressed with highly-touted protégés, Popcaan and Tommy Lee Sparta as he claims to have been abandoned by the fellow ‘Gaza’ deejays, as neither have reportedly visited him behind bars.
“Despite being denied bail recently, and being betrayed by Popcaan and Tommy Lee whilst going through the darkest hour of my existence, I am unparalleled in my determination to remain positive,” Kartel said. “I do a lot of reading and writing and usually try to exercise.”
He also issued a message for his fans who have been clamoring for his release from jail since his initial arrest in September 2011.
“I would like to thank all my fans who have been behind me in my time of peril and unjust prosecution,” he said. “Thanks for your continued support of my music, making me the recipient of Youth View’s Deejay of the years 2011 and 2012 as well as Portmore Awards 2012, plus voting countless songs to the number-one spot on the reggae/dancehall charts worldwide.”
In the meantime, Kartel continues to be relevant on the local Dancehall scene with the release of new singles such as “Georgina,” “Drop Top,” and “No Bed.” Additionally, Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto, continues to receive favorable feedback across Europe, South America and Asia, with Jamaican literature enthusiasts recently discussing the prospect of his book being introduced to the CXC syllabus.
Kartel is due in court May 27th for the beginning of his murder trials. He and two co-accused are alleged to have taken part in the shooting death of St. Catherine promoter, Barrington ‘Bossie’ Burton in July 2011. The deejay is also accused of having sanctioned the killing of St. Catherine-based dancer, Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams a month later and also faces conspiracy charges pertaining to the matter.
