Vybz Kartel returns to the United States for the first time in 20 years after getting his visa reinstated.
The Portmore deejay confirmed speculations he had his visa reinstated on Friday (January 1), some two decades after the US government revoked his permit to travel to that country. Vybz Kartel was among several reggae and dancehall artists to have their US visa revoked in 2005 at the height of gay rights groups’ campaign against the genre over lyrical content in songs.
Five months after his release from prison, Vybz Kartel is back on US soil, prompting speculations that he could be on the verge of launching a US tour.
“Spread di Word…Top Shottas is Back!” Kartel said in a video on Instagram showing him on a flight on his way to Florida. The dancehall legend’s fiancée Sidem Ozturk and members of his management team, including Skatta Burrell, accompanied the deejay. Spice reacted to the video, writing, “I Can’t stop smiling [laughing emojis] Top shottas is bacckkkkk!”
Kartel shared several videos and photos of himself and Ozturk posing for a photo op beside a white Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. The artist also shared a video thanking an unnamed man at the US embassy in Kingston, who offered him some kind words and assistance while he was in the process of acquiring his visa.
“People let me tell unnu something, God is the greatest and nothing beat time,” Kartel said. “Always remember to do good, and good will follow you. God is the greatest. Big up that kind gentleman at the embassy. I spoke with him on Tuesday and I spoke with him a while ago, and he gave me good words of encouragement. So big up that man at the embassy.”
In the meantime, Vybz Kartel is expected to make some appearances in Florida and is rumored to be attending the Grammy Awards on Sunday. The “Fever” deejay is nominated in the Best Reggae Album category for his project, Party With Me.
