Dancehall star Vybz Kartel says he has submitted the necessary documents, aiming to secure a US visa to attend the upcoming 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 5. His eight-track EP Party With Me is nominated for Best Reggae Album, marking his first-ever Grammy nomination.
In a recent interview with Billboard Magazine, Kartel shared his thoughts on his potential return to the US and the significance of being able to attend the prestigious event.
“We put the documents in. It would be a good look for all of us who are nominated to be at the Grammys,” he said. Collie Buddz’ Take It Easy, Shenseea’s Never Gets Late Here, The Wailers’ Evolution and the soundtrack Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By the Film are also nominated in the category.
Kartel last visited in the United States in the early 2000s, with notable peformances in Miami and New York. However, his ability to perform in the country was curtailed by legal issues and visa restrictions. In June 2011, during an episode of “Vybz Kartel Speaks His Mind”, he confirmed that he had lost his US Visa “about five, six years now”.
In September 2011, he was arrested for murder and later sentenced to life in prison. In March 2024, the UK’s Privy Council overturned his conviction and referred the case to Jamaica’s Court of Appeal. By July, the Court of Appeal freed Kartel and his co-accused, citing insufficient evidence to justify a retrial.
Reflecting on his Grammy nomination, Kartel expressed gratitude and acknowledged the challenges he faced during his 13 years of incarceration.
“If I wasn’t incarcerated, I would have been nominated already,” he said. “But I understand, why would they want to nominate a dude in prison? I know if I wasn’t arrested, based on the trajectory that my career was on, I would have definitely won. But I’m very, very grateful.”
The Party With Me EP features beats from producer Din Din. He described the project’s origins, saying, “I was under a vibe and got some beats. I was writing to keep my mind occupied, ended up with these songs and said, ‘Let me just put them on a little EP.’ Bam, Grammy.”
During the Billboard interview, Kartel also revealed plans to headline the Wireless Festival in England later this year and perform at shows in Germany this summer. While the UK has become his top streaming market in recent years, he emphasized that his career trajectory has always been global.
“My No. 1 market was always America, but, over the last two years, my biggest streaming market is now the U.K. My fiancée is from the U.K., too. I think that has a lot to do with the love, like, ‘Oh, wow. He’s dating one of us,’” he said.
When asked about his most anticipated performances, Kartel expressed excitement about returning to the Caribbean and New York. “That’s Jamaica outside of Jamaica,” he said.
Addressing speculation about a collaboration with rapper Cardi B, who recently defended his post-release appearance, Kartel shared: “I love Cardi! We got a song coming out next year. We are actually in the process of writing it.”
“Even if I have to walk, I’m performing that song in New York!” he added.
