Vybz Kartel, 48, has an incredible sense of resilience that helped him survive 13 years in prison, according to a mental health professional.
Kartel was released from a Jamaican prison on July 31 and already has plans to perform again in Jamaica on New Year’s Eve.
The popular dance hall deejay was arrested in 2011 and by 2014, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted for murdering a Jamaican entrepreneur whose body was never found. The trial that convicted Kartel was called into question after a claim that a juror was compromised. The Jamaican justice system subsequently overturned Kartel’s conviction on appeal.
Kartel has maintained his innocence.
“Healthwise ... I’m working on my health right now but the feeling of just being free is an amazing feeling,” Kartel told Fox 5 on Aug. 6. “I’m super upbeat. I literally bought an exercise bike and a treadmill today and set it up. I’ve hit the ground running ... the best is yet to come.”
“It would have been extremely hard to remain upbeat while in prison,” Sarah Boss, clinical director of The Balance Rehab, told The Epoch Times. “This indicates an incredible sense of resilience within him that would have been developed prior to his sentencing and strengthened during incarceration. Some people come out of prison unable to re-adjust while others come out with a new outlook on life.”
“In circumstances like incarceration, there is a wave of emotions,” Boss said. “He would have had good days and bad days. But a goal, a purpose, or faith can see you through. He never lost hope.”
Kartel, whose birth name is Adidja Azim Palmer, rose to fame in 2003 after a series of hit reggae tunes. The songs he is most known for include “Fever” and “Summertime.”
Following his release, Kartel said 150 family members celebrated with cooking, having fun, praying, and giving thanks.
“Now he has the opportunity to re-write the story. This can be an incredibly cathartic and empowering experience,” Boss said.
Kartel’s health challenges while behind bars reportedly included a weak heart and Graves’ disease but he was only allowed to see his personal doctor four times a year.
“[My doctor] is setting up my diet ... like putting me on a special diet and so on, and she can monitor me literally every day, which is a far cry from when you’re in prison where she needs permission,” Kartel said.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause symptoms such as weight gain and bulging eyes.
Kartel released his latest album, “First Week Out,” the day he was released from prison.
His fiancée, Sidem Ozturk, a British native of Turkish descent, was waiting as he walked out of the prison doors.
Ozturk, 32, began writing letters to Kartel in 2015 but didn’t see him in person until 2019.
She disclosed in an interview on Aug. 1 with On Stage TV that Kartel saw her as his inspiration and that she had long been fascinated with him.
“From a very young age, I heard his music so I did enjoy his music, but I found him very handsome ... I was very attracted to him,“ Ozturk said. ”You could kind of call it an obsession because I just thought he was the most perfect man for me walking the earth ... So, I took it upon myself to make sure that I meet this man of my dreams.”
Kartel has been married twice and has seven children.
Surrounding himself with family, friends, and professionals will provide Kartel with the mental and physical support he needs, but Boss advises taking time to adjust mentally.
“The world has changed tremendously since he went into prison in 2011 and he will need time to reorient,” Boss said. “When he gets his bearings and stabilizes in his new routine and life, then I would recommend moving forward with goals to perform and establish his career again. The criminal justice system needs to be more closely aligned with mental health treatment because, without it, recently released prisoners can develop a series of psychological issues.”
