Vybz Kartel’s Prison Interview On FOX 5 New York Triggers Probe In Jamaica

Jamaican authorities have launched a multi-agency probe into the circumstances surrounding how incarcerated Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel called into an interview that was broadcast on Fox 5 New York in the United States last night.

Kartel’s attorney-at-law Isat Buchanan told DancehallMag today, “I don’t understand all this hype about a probe, it’s ridiculous, the interview predates his movement from Spanish Town to Horizon (Remand) and all this is just sensationalism and oompy-skoompy business from Nationwide. This argument about a probe is ridiculous.”

Nationwide Radio first reported that the probe will be spearheaded by the Department of Correctional Services, the Ministry of National Security Inspectorate, and several law enforcement agencies.   According to the radio station, the investigation will attempt to verify “the authenticity of the voice aired on the Fox-5 interview.”

In May, the Dancehall artist, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was transferred from the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre to the Horizon Remand Centre in Kingston, as part of the government’s plans to move high-value criminals to the 24 newly constructed cells at Horizon Remand.  The new cells were designed to curtail access to cellphones, which are considered contraband in Jamaican prisons.

The probe will reportedly try to ascertain “whether, despite additional security being assigned to Kartel’s prison cell at the Horizon Remand Center a few months ago, a mobile phone was smuggled into the cell.”

Following the prison transfer, Kartel’s usually-active Instagram account went silent for over two months until his Born Fi Dis album was released on August 6.

In March 2020, Kartel reportedly faced sanctions after he allegedly joined an Instagram Live held by producer Rvssian.  Soon after the stunt, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) released a statement which indicated that Kartel’s cell was raided and “the contraband found and removed.”

Yesterday, as word spread about the Fox5 interview, Gaza fans were excited about what the Worl’ Boss would say. The Emergency singer revealed to Fox5’s Lisa Evers that he was in a better place mentally because he is convinced that he has been wrongfully incarcerated and will be freed.

“Yeah because I was sick for a few years, so definitely I’m recovering physically, but mentally I’ve always been in a good place because I know I’m innocent and I know I’m coming out,” he said.

The Worl’ Boss, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, anticipated that his conviction will be overturned by the United Kingdom-based judicial committee of the Privy Council.

“God save the Queen because she is the only one who can save me now,” Vybz Kartel joked during the interview.

The second part of the interview will air tonight on Fox5. “Kartel gets candid…it’s a side of him you’ve never seen before,” Evers promised.