Vybz Kartel reflects on spending his first Christmas with his fiancée Sidem Ozturk and for the first time as a free man in thirteen years.
The Portmore deejay, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was released from prison in July this year after being behind bars for almost thirteen years. Yesterday, December 25, 2024, marks his first Christmas holiday as a free man in almost a decade and a half. The dancehall legend spent the day reflecting on his journey to this moment while spending quality time with his fiancee and sons.
Vybz Kartel shared a clip of himself with MC Nuffy, the MC for his upcoming Freedom St concert, doing some final prep work ahead of the show. “Thirteen Christmas in a prison, a me first free Christmas this in a thirteen years,” Kartel said. “Me and me bredda deh ya MC Nuffy.”
The Jamaican artist also shared a photo of himself with Sidem Ozturk smiling for the camera and another clip of himself vibing to Dennis Brown’s classic “Your Love Got A Hold on Me.”
Kartel wrote, “Our first Christmas together, and I am so grateful we’re breathing the same air for this Christmas.”
In the meantime, Vybz Kartel confirmed the addition of Jah Vinci to his Freedom Street lineup in a surprise move that saw him one step closer to reuniting the entire Portmore Empire camp. Where it stands now, only a handful of artists from the crew haven’t yet officially joined the lineup, like Blak Ryno. Kartel shared a clip of himself and Jah Vinci reuniting at the rehearsal for the show.
Freedom Street will mark Vybz Kartel’s first post-prison concert and could be the biggest live show in Jamaica’s history, as thousands of fans set to converge on the National Stadium in Kingston on New Year’s Eve night. Other artists on the lineup include Skillibeng, Spice, Tommy Lee Sparta, Popcaan, Shawn Storm, Lisa Hyper, and Gaza Indu.
