Dancehall icon Vybz Kartel revealed during a candid interview on The Breakfast Club on Friday that he now resides in the United States, following the reinstatement of his visa in January.
The Grammy-nominated artist, who served 13 years in prison in Jamaica, says he has no intention of returning to live in the country anytime soon.
“I live here, sir. I live in Florida,” Kartel said. “I mean, I did thirteen years in prison, so why would I [go back]?”
According to U.S. Citizens and Immigration services, the O-1 nonimmigrant visa which Kartel, real name Adijah Palmer was granted allows individuals to work in the U.S. who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements. It is valid for up to three years with options to extend.
Though now based abroad, Kartel emphasized that he continues to represent Jamaica and its culture wholeheartedly.
“I rep my country right through. I rep my culture all the way, every day. One yard man.”
Kartel also highlighted Florida’s strategic location as a base for his career and international movement.
“I spent 13 years [locked up], I need to go out now. And Florida is good because it’s a hub—you can come to New York, you can go across the Atlantic and in England, go West and you are in L.A. It’s just a nice place to be geographically, where I can just move.”
When asked whether he would return to the neighborhoods he grew up in—both in Jamaica and in areas like Brooklyn and the Bronx—Kartel made it clear that he’s focused on avoiding any negativity.
“No sir,” he responded with a laugh. “Seriously—why? I am just trying to stay out of trouble. I don’t want to be involved in nothing negative, never. So we stay away from that.”
The interview marks one of Kartel’s most personal and reflective appearances to date as he embraces a new chapter in his career and life, now on U.S. soil.
Watch full interview below:
