Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently considered inviting Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel to perform at the upcoming One Nation concert.
However, he also voiced concerns about the potential negative influence of Vybz Kartel’s lyrical content on the youth.
Vybz Kartel had been incarcerated for 13 years, from 2011 to 2024, after being initially sentenced to 35 years in prison, a term that was later reduced to 32.5 years.
Following the dismissal of a retrial, Vybz Kartel was ultimately released in July 2024.
Browne said instead, the government will lobby Richie Spice to perform
“I will talk to the organizers. At one point, we were thinking of Kartel, but he may come and sing some inappropriate song. We are not sure” he said
However, he did say that Kartel has mellowed down a bit, and some of his songs are not usually that of the “bad man.”
“Let’s watch and see what happens with the other countries. Let us not judge the man,” PM Browne said
The annual One Nation Concert is an event held under the auspices of PM Browne. The free concert features international artists and aims to support local talent growth.”
Mr. PM, it is far more important, especially at this time to be consistent and serious than it is to be popular. Vybz Cartel waa recently released from prison in Jamaica having spent thirteen years for the gruesome MURDER of a fellow Jamaican. He has not been exonerated but was released on a technicality -failure by the Jamaica judiciary to follow proper legal procedures in Kartel’s murder trial. I totally, with all due respect, reject the P M’s “let’s wait and see” approach. Kartel recently visited St.Vincent under the guise of seeking medical attention for his alleged Graves disease!!! The population there strongly objected to his presence and demanded that he not be used for entertainment purposes. Antiguans need to take the cue from our people in St. Vincent. NO TO VIBZ KARTEL!
You can change your lyrics for just one concert but your intentions for future are not clean. Simply nooooo