Vybz Kartel does not admire Kendrick Lamar and believes that Drake not only triumphed in their clash but is also a “superior and larger artist.”
In his latest cover feature for Billboard, Kartel shared his views on the conflict and expressed his position unequivocally.
“I’m not really into Kendrick,” he stated. “I’m not even a fan of Kendrick, so I’m unaware.” What does he perform in rap? I found it online, and while I mean no offense to the guy, I hear him, yet I don’t pay attention to him. Drake has a deeper connection with Jamaica and its culture. Drake is a superior and larger artist.
He mentioned to Complex in December: “Kendrick is a wordsmith and I am a wordsmith too.” Thus, I value his artwork. However, I believe Drake conveys the message effectively on an international level.”
Drake was one of the numerous celebrities celebrating Vybz Kartel’s prison release during the summer.
The dancehall icon was freed on July 31 after Jamaica’s Court of Appeals confirmed his reversed murder conviction. He had been incarcerated for 13 years.
Drizzy, a well-known admirer of Kartel, marked his recent release by sharing a selfie in which he sports a T-shirt featuring a portrait of the self-proclaimed dancehall king.
He additionally stated in another post: “BOSS FREE UP NOW! “Adidjaaaaaaa,” alluding to the artist’s true name.
Cardi B expressed her enthusiasm by recording herself enjoying Vybz’s track “Dollar Sign” while on a car ride and commenting: “Welcome home world @vybzkartel.”
Busta Rhymes, who has collaborated frequently with the Jamaican icon and shares Jamaican roots, shared an enthusiastic post on Instagram featuring a video of Kartel leaving prison.
“THE BLESSINGS DON’T STOP SO WE WILL NEVER STOP!! WELCOME HOME TO THE WORLD BOSS AND TEACHA @vybzkartel,” he wrote. “IT’S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY AND A LONG FIGHT, THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST DAYS WITH THE GREATEST NEWS IN A VERY LONG TIME!! GLAD THAT THE KING HAS RETURNED!!”
Fellow Kartel collaborator DJ Khaled also shared the same clip on social media, adding: “@vybzkartel GOD DID!”
Vybz Kartel (birth name Adidja Azim Palmer) received a life sentence in 2014 for the 2011 killing of Clive “Lizard” Williams, yet his conviction was annulled in early 2024.
The decision was made following the discovery that one juror who convicted him had been bribed, indicating they should have been dismissed from the jury.
Kartel was not released from prison at first because the Court of Appeal had not yet decided on the possibility of a retrial.
