Anniversary of freedomA timeline of Vybz Kartel’s journey post-incarceration

On July 31, 2024, after spending 13 years behind bars in connection with the murder case of Clive “Lizard” Williams, Adidja Azim Palmer, more popularly known as Vybz Kartel, emerged from Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in downtown Kingston a free man.

The moment which became a storied piece of history was marked by public pandemonium as crowds gathered outside the prison to celebrate with the entertainer.

With his then-girlfriend, Sidem Öztürk, by his side, the deejay, in all white with an orange kerchief tied across his mouth, was whisked away in a waiting limousine.

Since that day the entertainer has continued making headlines. But, in case you missed any of the major moments of the newly crowned King of Dancehall’s freedom journey, the Jamaica Observer has got you covered.

* August 1, 2024 — Less than 24 hours after he was released from prison, dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel was back on his musical grind when he announced the release of a new 12-track project titled First Week Out via the platform X. The project earned the deejay his eighth top 10 entry and 12th overall entry on the coveted Billboard Reggae Albums chart when it debuted at #8.

* August 8, 2024 — Less than a fortnight after his release from prison, Kartel, in a TikTok live appearance with his lawyer, Isat Buchanan, was heard, in the background, threatening to “box dung” a woman. Social media users speculated that the woman was his girlfriend, Sidem Öztürk. The woman, whose face was not visible on camera, was heard explaining to the DJ that she was simply asking for the Wi-Fi password. The deejay never addressed the incident, but indicated in further interviews that he’s dedicated to family and rebuilding his legacy.

* August 13, 2024 — In a post showing Downsound Entertainment boss Josef Bogdanovich signing the agreement with Vybz Kartel, the entertainer’s Freedom Street concert was announced. The date was set for December 31, with fans immediately reacting to the news of seeing their deejay live and in living colour after more than a decade.

* August 31, 2024 — Freedom Street tickets go on sale. The official website crashed as a result of the overwhelming demand.

* September 13, 2024 – The dancehall superstar dropped his first single since his release from prison — The Comet, produced by his record label, Vybz Kartel Muzik. The track has since amassed more than 15 million views on the popular streaming platform YouTube.

* September 15, 2024 — Kartel made a surprise cameo at the 86th annual conference of the People’s National Party (PNP) at the National Arena in Kingston alongside his attorney. The entertainer did not speak but made the PNP’s clenched fist symbol as Buchanan expressed that the party was fighting for “the future, the freedom, justice and the constitution” of Jamaica.

* October 5, 2024 — In one of the many displays of his dedication to family, Vybz Kartel collaborated with his son Likkle Addi on the track M.O.T.M (Man of the Match). Showing just how deep the ‘Palmer musical genes’ run, Likkle Addi declared his talent a direct result of his bloodline. “Hustle like daddy, we get it from we grandpa,” he deejays on the track, which has now gained over 11 million views since its release. He has also publicly celebrated his daughter Adi’Anna, who achieved high passes in her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams. Admitting that he missed a huge portion of his children’s lives while he was imprisoned, Palmer told the Observer that he’s pleased with the young adults they’ve become.

* October 11, 2024 – Kartel drops a whopping $33 million on a brand new Porsche Cayenne Coupe. The dealership where the deejay went to collect his new whip saw an overwhelming crowd as fans of the entertainer lined up outside as he drove the car from the showroom. The entertainer also cashed out a new home in Jamaica in October before announcing that he bought two other properties in Florida earlier in the year.

* October 21, 2024 — Kartel fell ill while partying at a popular nightclub in Kingston. Videos of the deejay being assisted out of the club began circulating on social media, raising cause for concern, especially since he had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease. Sources close to the deejay reported he was “doing fine” after the incident, but not before questions arose concerning his health, especially before his long-awaited return to the stage.

* November 4, 2024 — The dancehall superstar announced that after a pre-proposal when he was behind bars, he finally made Sidem his official fiancée. “You were there when I needed you most, and I’ll never leave you, Baby… I pray we stay together for as long as I live. I love you, baby,” he shared on Instagram.

* November 8, 2024 — Vybz Kartel’s Party With Me, which was released in May via Adidjahiem Records, which soared to #2 in the Top 100 reggae albums on iTunes shortly after its release, earned the deejay his first Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category.

* December 31, 2024/January 1, 2025 – Vybz Kartel rang in 2025 alongside fellow dancehall superstar Spice at his Freedom Street concert. The entertainers were in the middle of their set when they paused to welcome the new year. The moment was marked by a fancy fireworks display, which was followed by a performance of the deejay’s mega-hit single, Thank Yuh Jah.