Dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel has reportedly been issued a U.S. visa, according to sources close to the matter. On Monday, the Fever DJ took to Instagram to express his gratitude as he exited the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica. With an uncontrollable smile, Kartel shared, “Faith can move mountains, and you see, teamwork makes the dream work. Never forget, always put God first and do good. Believe what I’m saying.”
Following the sold out Freedom Street Concert, Kartel, 49, had confirmed submitting a U.S. visa petition to attend the Grammy Awards on February 2, where his EP Party With Me is nominated for Best Reggae Album. It’s his first nomination and the visa was granted among other things based on his demand in the U.S. forms presence as an artist.
In a Billboard interview, Kartel expressed gratitude for the nomination, reflecting on his career trajectory and the challenges of achieving such recognition while incarcerated.
Kartel’s career highlights include his acclaimed album King Of The Dancehall, featuring the hit “Fever,” which achieved Gold certification in the U.S. and Silver certification in the U.K., marking milestones as an independent dancehall artist.
After his 2011 conviction for murder, Kartel’s case was sent back for retrial by the U.K.’s Privy Council, and he was freed in July 2024. His “Freedom Street” comeback concert at Jamaica’s National Stadium on December 31 was a monumental success, mirroring Buju Banton’s historic return in 2019.
Kartel acknowledged his incarceration stalled dancehall’s growth but opened doors for new artists. While he has dropped in streaming ranks, he sees potential in the emerging “Trap Dancehall” sound and believes its global success depends on breaking into key markets like London, New York, and Toronto.
