Timeline of Vybz Kartel’s music life behind bars

The conviction of the murder of Jamaican singer Adidja Palmer real name Vybz Kartel has been squashed. The ruling was made by a London court.

The ‘Summertime’ hitmaker has been behind bars after being convicted of the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams in 2014 where he received a life sentence.

Before then, Kartel was one of the most sought-after dancehall stars in Jamaica and beyond the border. He is well-known for songs like ‘Real Bad Man’ ‘Bicycle Ride’ and ‘Romping Shop’ among others.

While in prison, the singer was privileged to release music even when he was behind bars.

In 2016, the dance-hall star made history after releasing over 50 new songs in one year. His album “King of the Dancehall” received massive plays with the lead single ‘Fever’ dominating the charts.

In 2017, he released his hit single “Real Bad Gal.” The same year, he collaborated with Major Lazer on the song ‘Run Up’ which also featured Nicki Minaj.

In 2018, he released the song “Touch Down Remix,” with Nicki Minaj and Stylo G. 

In 2020, he released an album dubbed ‘To Tanesha’ which he dedicated to the mother of his two kids Tanesha Johnson.

The same year, his sentence was reduced to 32-and-a-half years. He also released his 15th studio album “Of Dons & Divas”

In 2021, he collaborated with singer Jesse Royal on the song “Rich Forever.”

In 2023, Human rights attorney, Isat Buchanan revealed that the singer was battling a life-threatening disease.

“Mr. Palmer’s illness is actually life-threatening. To make matters worse, his attorney notes that for the last week, Kartel has been in solitary lockdown 23 hours a day over an alleged cell phone infraction. He’s in a cell, and if you can picture a brick oven, because that’s how those cells are built, the ventilation is next to none,” he told Fox 5

In March 2024, his murder conviction was overturned and he will now wait for the authorities in Jamaica to decide whether the case will be retried.