ST. MARY – OCTOBER 16: Vybz Kartel poses for a photo backstage during MTV’s Tempo network launch celebration October 16, 2005 in St. Mary, Jamaica. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
*An attorney for jailed dancehall artist Vybz Kartel says conditions in the Jamaican prison are unbearable and his health is declining, reports SandraRose.com.
Human rights attorney Isat Buchanan says that last week, the 47-year-old performer was in 23-hour solitary lockdown for a cellphone infraction. Buchanan said the cell was like a “brick oven” with no air ventilation, no water and a bucket for a toilet.
According to Buchanan, Kartel was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and a heart condition. He said the artist’s health is getting progressively worse and he needs specialized surgery soon, or he could die.
In March 2014 Vybz, born Adidja Palmer, was found guilty of murdering his associate Clive Williams. The following month, he was sentenced to life in prison, but his sentence was reduced to 32 years and 6 months in April of 2020, per the ruling of a Jamaican appeals court. He’ll be eligible for parole in 2046.
While behind bars, Vybz has written a book and released 50 songs in 2016 alone. His 2016 album, King of the Dancehall, peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard Reggae Chart.
In January 2020, he dropped the 10 track album “To Tanesha,” dedicated to his ex-girlfriend and mother of his three eldest children, Tanesha “Shorty” Johnson. Later that year, he released his 15th studio album, “Of Dons & Divas,” and appeared on Busta Rhymes’ album “Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God.”
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