Vybz Kartel Launches YouTube Channel With Fiancée
Pop culture star Vybz Kartel has launched a YouTube channel with his Turkish fiancée Sidem Öztürk.
The #FreedomStreet deejay announced the news on Tuesday, giving subscribers a sneak peek of what to expect from dancehall’s most buzzing couple.
The pair seemed to be chilling at home when Addi whipped out his camera to record Öztürk putting hot sauce on KFC chicken.
Sporting his post-prison look (white tank, kerchief and sunnies), he enquired about her adjustment to Colonel Sander’s recipe.
“A weh yaa do? A wah dat?” the Drone artist asked.
“Scotch bonnet sauce,” his ladylove answered.
Their banter continued.
“Oh, yaa put it inna yuh chicken. So dat a go taste good?”
“It tastes perfect.”
Staring with sceptism, Öztürk sought to assure him.
“I know good things,” she said.
“I know you know good things,” he answered before they both looked at each other.
“You’re one of them,” they simultaneously sentimised.
Then the naughty lyricist emerged.
“Me know good things too, don’t? Me know good things come in small packages,” he said, pointing at his future wife.
He then enquire about her juice, to which she admitted was pepsi despite his warning about the soda.
“(You) usually tell me don’t drink pepsi while I’m eating.”
He said, “Mi tell yuh nuh drink pepsi none at all; di f**k…”
“Will fill up my belly,” she recalled as his rationale.
“That’s why yuh nuffi drink it. A me alone fi fill up yuh belly.”
And just like that, the Gaza principal was “out”, sharing the clip to his social media alongside the channel’s name – Kiss Me Baby TV – which also has an Instagram page. The latter attracted more than 5,000 followers in an hour, while the channel grew beyond 3,000 subscribers in that time.
The channel’s name comes from his viral “kiss me baby” statement while riding in a limo with Öztürk after being released from prison last week. The ‘Teacha’ has since taken over the internet with fans and curious cats alike watching his every move, from his reunion with his kids to his fitness journey and BMW excursions.
It’s reminiscent of his days in reality TV, making waves with the 2011 hit reality dating show, Teacha’s Pet, and even his early content-creating days with his Kartel Speaks His Mind series.
The move also complements his business acumen, with Kartel previously having a party series, contraceptive product and spirits brand. He is now promoting the Fire Vybz grabba line.
Kartel joins a slew of Jamaican public figures who have ventured into YouTube vlogging, beginning in the pandemic when screen times increased due to quarantine mandates and live events on pause.
Singer-turned-media personality Tami Chin Mitchell transformed her channel into a family channel with husband/singer Wayne Marshall; singer Romain Virgo and his wife Elizabeth also started a family channel; deejay Spice started vlogging from her Atlanta base; and Aidonia recently returned to the space, having vlogged tour life a few years ago.
Ironically, Kartel’s ex-spouse Tanesha ‘Shorty’ Johnson launched her cooking YouTube channel in 2023, though she’s yet to post content.