Vybz Kartel, the dancehall legend, has received a warm welcome home from some of Hip Hop’s biggest names, including Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Cardi B. After spending 13 years behind bars, Kartel was released from prison on Wednesday (July 31) following Jamaica’s Court of Appeals upholding his overturned murder conviction.
Drake, a noted fan of Kartel, celebrated the artist’s newfound freedom by posting a selfie wearing a T-shirt adorned with a painting of the self-proclaimed king of dancehall. In a separate post, he wrote: “BOSS FREE UP NOW! Adidjaaaaaaa,” referencing Kartel’s real name.
Cardi B shared her excitement by filming herself listening to Vybz’s song “Dollar Sign” during a car journey and writing: “Welcome home world @vybzkartel.”
Busta Rhymes, who has collaborated with the Jamaican star on numerous songs and shares Jamaican heritage, posted an effusive message on Instagram alongside a video of Kartel walking out of prison. He wrote: “THE BLESSINGS DON’T STOP SO WE WILL NEVER STOP!! WELCOME HOME TO THE WORLD BOSS AND TEACHA @vybzkartel. IT’S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY AND A LONG FIGHT, THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST DAYS WITH THE GREATEST NEWS IN A VERY LONG TIME!! GLAD THAT THE KING HAS RETURNED!!”
Fellow Kartel collaborator DJ Khaled also shared the same clip on social media, adding: “@vybzkartel GOD DID!”
Vybz Kartel himself celebrated his release by uploading a video on Instagram of him partying with his wife in the back of a limo, leading to more reactions from other notable rap figures. Nicki Minaj commented on the post: “Welcome home” along with saluting face and Jamaican flag emojis, while Young M.A. said: “Big up!!!” and Ty Dolla $ign put: “Bro back !!!”
Swizz Beatz, Bobby Shmurda, and fellow dancehall star Popcaan celebrated the news in emoji form.
Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Azim Palmer) was initially sentenced to life in prison in 2014 for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, but his conviction was overturned earlier this year. The ruling came after it was revealed that one of the jurors who put him in jail had been bribed and therefore should have been removed from the jury. Kartel was not initially freed from prison as the Court of Appeal had yet to rule on whether there would be a retrial.
The “Summertime” hitmaker suffered a number of health issues while locked up. In June, Lisa Evers of FOX 5 News spoke to his attorney, Isat Buchanan, who revealed that Kartel needed medical help last year. “Mr. Palmer’s illness is actually life-threatening,” he told the longtime New York journalist. “His neck was swollen, if you think of a shirt that is about 18.5 inches in the neck area, you couldn’t close the collar on his neck and that’s how bad it is in this moment.” He continued: “His face is actually swollen. And one other thing. He always wears glasses; in this condition, that causes his eyes to protrude.” Kartel was also kept in solitary confinement for up to 23 hours per day, and his attorneys argued he was being prevented from getting clean air.
