'Set Me Free': The biggest health concern, navigating dancehall's egos, maintaining relevance, and adjustments in the studio and streaming era. Exploring the uncertain road ahead
What does the future hold for Vybz Kartel?
What's Next for Vybz Kartel? After a long and persistent fight, legendary dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel has been released from prison after 13 years, sparking an eruption of excitement in Jamaica. This monumental event has drawn thousands of comments from peers and fans worldwide, dominating headlines.
Vybz Kartel's influence on the dancehall scene is unparalleled, making him a consensus figure in the genre. As the world celebrates his freedom, the question arises: What challenges should he tackle next?
His Health: The Biggest Concern
The first and foremost concern for the 48-year-old deejay is his health. Vybz Kartel has been diagnosed with Graves' disease, which has significantly impacted his appearance, causing facial swelling. Additionally, his attorney, Isat Buchanan, recently revealed that the disease has caused damage to Kartel's heart. Buchanan described the severity of the condition, stating, "If you think of a shirt with an 18.5-inch neck collar, you couldn’t close it around his neck. That’s how bad it is at this moment." Kartel must now prioritize his recovery and focus on managing his health. Sources close to the 'Set Me Free' deejay have emphasized, "He needs to take time and get himself back together. His health is more important right now."
Family: Balancing New Fiancée with His Children
As you know, Kartel has been engaged to his partner in recent years, Sidem Ozturk, a Londoner of Turkish origin, which was not warmly received by the mother of 4 of his 7 children, Tanesha 'Shorty' Johnson. Now, he may find himself trying to reunite with his children on a permanent basis. Two of his children, Likkle Addi and Likkle Vybz, are already pursuing their own careers. Balancing his personal life and family dynamics will be another significant challenge as he navigates his newfound freedom.
Lesson Learned: Will He Know How to Protect Himself?
Hopefully having learned his lesson, Vybz Kartel now gets a second chance, as his mentor Bounty Killer had envisioned. He returns to a world filled with temptations, money, stages, performances, fans, and more. Whether he knows how to protect himself remains an interesting question, as he will likely have to defend himself both as an artist with a dedicated fan base and against those who might try to manipulate or exploit his success.
Navigating Between Dancehall's Egos
Kartel is reentering a different era in dancehall, one marked by numerous new artists, egos, and conflicts. During his years behind bars, he collaborated with artists from around the world, including Popcaan, Teejay, Skillibeng, Squash, Valiant, and many more. Now, he will have to navigate the myriad egos in the dancehall scene, not just among artists but also among many producers.
Maintaining Relevance Among Dancehall's New Generation
As mentioned, this is a different era in dancehall and global music. The world now belongs to the young, it must be said. As an artist who has influenced many of today's rising dancehall stars, Kartel will have to stay popular and make his way in a different, more demanding, and more critical Jamaica. With artists like Valiant, Skeng, Kraff, Rajahwild, and Malie Donn already making their mark in the industry, Kartel must adopt the new generation rather than fight against them to maintain his relevance and influence.
Returning to the Studio: Adjustments Needed
During his incarceration, Kartel continued to record music, sparking questions about the quality and methods of these recordings—whether they were done over the phone or if he had access to recording studios. Now, he will return to the recording studios, needing to adapt to new technology, the streaming era, and social media, refine his voice, and create new hits.
Global Demand: How Will His Global Comeback Unfold?
As time goes on, Kartel will likely begin making public appearances. Like Buju Banton, he is expected to be in high demand for performances, with interest initially surging beyond Jamaica. His popularity spans the Caribbean, particularly in Guyana, as well as Africa, Europe, and the USA. The key question is how Kartel will re-enter the international stage. Visa issues will likely be resolved over time. Recently, Buju Banton drew 36,000 fans for two sold-out shows in New York, and Mavado returned to England after 15 years. Given the demand, Kartel is poised to seize similar opportunities for international performances.
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Vybz Kartel's next steps will be highly anticipated by fans and the music industry alike.
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