Vybz Kartel: One Year Free, Still Stirring Dancehall Waves

Background: From Incarceration to Resurrection

Adidja Palmer—better known worldwide as Vybz Kartel—is one of dancehall’s most prolific and controversial figures. After enduring over a decade in prison, his conviction was finally quashed by Jamaica’s Court of Appeal in July 2024, and he walked free shortly thereafter  . This summer marked the first anniversary of his release—a year in which Kartel has re-asserted his dominance in international dancehall like no one expected  .

Raising Eyebrows: A Provocative Dance in the Spotlight

Already the reigning “King of Dancehall,” Kartel continues to ignite headlines—not just for his music, but for his lifestyle too. A video surfaced August 11 showing him dancing provocatively with a mystery woman at what appeared to be a house party  . Given that his fiancée, Sidem Ozturk, was noticeably absent in the clip, fans—especially female fans—didn’t hesitate to ask, “Where was Sidem?”.

Still, supporters jumped to his defense. “Leave that man alone—his woman don’t care… he living his best life… leave him alone, he been through enough,” one comment read  . In response, Kartel posted a lighthearted home video with Sidem, where she checks out one of his photos on the wall—ending the domestic drama with a playful caption: “I love quiet days with my baby (although she annoying sometimes…) … Happy Sunday.” Clearly, he’s reminding the world they’re solid .

Studio Grind & New Vibes: Teasing a Skillibeng Collab Amid Masicka Fallout

Kartel’s not just in the headlines—he’s in the studio. On August 9, he teased a new collaboration with Skillibeng, previewing a track where he switches into a flow reminiscent of Skillibeng’s signature cadence: “Big up Skillibeng real no pretend, See the style no difference each rhyme sufficient,” he rapped  .

The clip follows a fallout between Kartel and Masicka—rumored to have stirred controversy by failing to salute Kartel upon his “King of Dancehall” coronation at Reggae Sumfest. Fans speculated that the new collab is doubling as a subtle diss, while Masicka and Kartel have since unfollowed each other on Instagram  .

One Year On — A Legacy in Motion

From a headline-grabbing dance controversy to sharp new studio teasers, Vybz Kartel’s first year of freedom has been nothing short of cinematic. Whether stirring debate, reminding fans he’s still at the top of his game, or cleverly collaborating to assert his authority, Kartel continues shaping dancehall’s narrative—one viral moment at a time.

Sources

• Kartel’s release and first-year reflections: Urban Islandz, “Vybz Kartel Marks One Year Since Release From Prison ‘God Is The Greatest’,” Michael Stephens, July 31, 2025  .
• Flak over dancing video amid engagement: Urban Islandz, “Vybz Kartel Gets Flak For Provocative Video Dancing With Mystery Woman While Engaged To Sidem Ozturk,” Soje Leslie, August 11, 2025  .
• Teasing new Skillibeng collab amid fallout with Masicka: Urban Islandz, “Vybz Kartel Teases New Skillibeng Collab Amid Fallout With Masicka,” Michael Stephens, August 9, 2025  .