For 13 years, Vybz Kartel’s voice has echoed far beyond the confines of his cell. Despite his absence from the streets, his music has connected him to fans who still see him as the “Worl’ Boss.” Though physically distant, his influence has never waned, underscoring music’s power to transcend space and time. Now free, Kartel is ready to reclaim his place at the heart of dancehall, his impact as undeniable as ever.

“I’ve been in prison for 13 years. That’s like being dead,” Kartel reflects. Those years were a bittersweet mix of hope and heartache, especially as a father to seven children. “The thing I missed the most was my children,” he shares. “I was watching my kids grow up without me. I had my cell phone, so I was literally watching my children become men and women in front of my eyes, and I wasn’t there. That’s the most painful part, man.”

The toll of seeing his family evolve from a distance left an indelible mark but also deepened his connection to them. “My perspective on life changed. I’m more spiritual, more calm, especially more family-oriented. I missed out on so much. I have three grandkids,” he explains. Despite the challenges, Kartel’s unwavering faith in his freedom kept him optimistic. “I knew I was gonna come out. My fiancée – I moved her to Jamaica two years before I came out. That's how confident I was,” he tells BET. “I never stopped fighting, never stopped trusting God, never stopped trusting my lawyers as well. Never doubted – not for a second.”

Kartel met his fiancée, Sidem Öztürk, from London, in 2015 while incarcerated. “July 25th, to be exact. And then when me and my original baby mom broke up, she was there for me right through,” he says. “We have grown ever since. It’s like we knew each other for years, so I told her to come to Jamaica in 2022 to live, and the rest is history.”

Prison couldn’t stifle Kartel’s relentless creativity or his connection to music. “I had no choice. I had to keep it alive. I’m a man. I never had time to feel sorry for myself. I just had to keep doing what I was doing before I got incarcerated,” he explains. For Kartel, music is “second nature,” making it easier for him to innovate. “Figuring out how to record in prison, like, that’s just the drive I had and the love I have for music,” he says. After trial and error, Kartel perfected the recording process, leading to iconic projects like Viking (Vybz Is King). He marks the 10th anniversary of the album with the release of a deluxe edition today (Jan. 31), featuring seven new bonus tracks alongside classics like “Unstoppable,” “Enchanting,” “Dancehall,” and “Gon Get Better.” The song “Str8 Vybz,” released at the top this year, appears on the album and also carries the same name as his newly launched rum brand.

Kartel’s ability to balance the legacy of his classic hits with creating new music that resonates today stems from staying true to his craft. “I sing my truth,” he says, knowing his authentic approach will make the music last. “I do it from the heart, so I know it’s gonna work. So these songs are gonna become classics.”

Last month, Kartel returned to the stage with “Freedom Street” at Kingston's National Stadium, his first performance since his release and the largest concert Jamaica has seen in decades. Fans are already calling for it to become an annual event, which might even become a festival. “We wanna do one this year and actually do it a little earlier, in December, but a little earlier, and maybe do it over two days,” Kartel says. The show featured performances from Popcaan, Busta Rhymes, Bounty Killer, Skillibeng, Shatta Wale, Rvssian, Lisa Hype, Likkle Addi & Likkle Vybz, Spice, and others. Kartel’s intimate performance with Spice sparked online buzz, especially for their dance moves. However, he didn’t need to explain it to his fiancée. “She's used to the culture of dancehall. I mean, she grew up in London. That’s little Jamaica in a sense, like New York. So she understands the culture. She understands who she's with, and she's cool. It's entertainment. It's not like she caught me and Spice in bed doing those dances,” he adds.

Kartel also reflects on the evolution of dancehall, recognizing its global influence while acknowledging the challenges artists face today. He believes that today's artists must find themselves. “Music is art, it's expression, but it's also your job,” he says. “You have to find a balance between the art and the commerce.” Kartel emphasizes that once these young artists find that balance, they will bring the genre back to the international prominence it once had in the '90s and early 2000s. He points to the success of Afrobeats as a model for the Jamaican music industry, noting how it has mastered the commercial aspect without losing its cultural authenticity. Kartel has faith in the next generation’s talent, seeing their potential to elevate dancehall globally as long as they figure out how to navigate the commercial side.

As for the new wave of dancehall artists, Kartel is excited about several rising stars. He mentions Jamal, 450, Pablo YG, Skillibeng, and Chronic Law as some of the names that stand out to him. “I like a lot of these new guys,” Kartel says, expressing his belief that the future of dancehall is in good hands. These artists are carrying the torch forward and shaping the genre's future with their unique styles and energy. For Kartel, the key is ensuring that while they innovate, they stay true to the authenticity of dancehall, creating "new classics" that will resonate with old and new fans.

Kartel, a leader in the Jamaican music scene for over 30 years, earned his first-ever Grammy nomination at the 2025 award show for Best Reggae Album with his 2024 EP Party With Me. Reflecting on his legacy, he acknowledges his impact on the global music scene, saying, “I’m aware of the influence of Vybz Kartel. I mean, Drake said it. Cardi B says I'm a favorite artist of all time. Nicki Minaj, Rihanna.” 

While Kartel remains humble about his achievements, he takes pride in the work he’s put in, explaining, “It’s a humbling feeling, man, and it’s an accomplished feeling because I put in the work. It’s not like it happened by accident.” He acknowledges that his time in prison may have hindered earlier nominations but is confident that his recognition is long overdue. “If I wasn’t in prison, I would have definitely been nominated more than once, and I think I would have won already. I mean, because, like I said, King of the Dancehall was a big album in 2016,” he shares. Despite the setbacks, he remains hopeful, adding, “So, yeah, I think I’m very confident that I may even win. Who knows?”