Vybz Kartel, the Jamaican dancehall star whose murder conviction was overturned last year, has spoken about the lasting psychological scars of his imprisonment. In an interview in London, the 49-year-old, real name Adidja Palmer, said: “If I hear a key shake, it traumatise me,” referring to the wardens’ practice of jingling keys before head counts. He also admitted to heavy smoking and drinking since his release, but declined therapy, saying: “I understand what I’m going through and I just let it work itself out.”
Kartel was convicted in 2014 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams and spent over a decade in Jamaican prisons, including the notoriously filthy Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre. He was released in July 2024 after the UK Privy Council, Jamaica’s final court of appeal, overturned the ruling. During his incarceration, he was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition worsened by prison conditions. His heart function dropped to 37%, and he said he feared dying in prison because the state could not provide adequate medical care.
Despite his legal troubles, Kartel remained prolific, releasing music recorded on an iPhone from prison. In 2016 alone he put out 50 songs, and his track Fever achieved gold certification in the US and silver in the UK. He watched from behind bars as dancehall went mainstream, with artists like Drake incorporating the sound into his 2016 album Views. “It didn’t feel good, but I’m a type of person that is gonna find a way,” Kartel said.
Since his release, Kartel has returned to performing. At a welcome-home concert in Kingston on New Year’s Eve, he struggled to breathe and walk, but his recent show at London’s O2 Arena was more energetic. The performance began with him in a cell before emerging in a sparkling red Givenchy suit. Kartel’s physical health has improved through a diet of whole foods and green juices.
Reflecting on his career, Kartel emerged in 2003 with the album Up 2 Di Time, known for his gravelly, rapid-fire “toasting” style. Hits like Romping Shop with Spice and Clarks cemented his status as the King of Dancehall. However, prison has left its mark: “My sleeping habits have changed,” he said, adding that the sound of keys still triggers panic.
