After more than a decade behind bars and a career that never stalled—even from a prison cell—dancehall icon Vybz Kartel continues to dominate the genre’s global spotlight. But this time, he’s calling Florida home. In a candid interview on The Breakfast Club with Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy, the deejay, born Adidja Palmer, confirmed that he has relocated to the United States following his release from prison in 2024. The reason? Personal safety concerns in Jamaica. “Of course not,” Kartel responded with a laugh when asked if the island still felt like a safe space. “I live here [in the U.S.], I live in Florida.”
Kartel’s move marks a major shift—not just for his career but also in the narrative surrounding the safety and treatment of high-profile cultural figures in Jamaica. While he emphasized that he still “reps [his] country all the way,” the artist made it clear that the decision was rooted in self-preservation and a desire to move freely post-incarceration. Florida, he noted, offers both a strategic location and a degree of freedom. “Florida is good because it’s a hub; you can go to New York, you can go across the Atlantic, go to England, go west, you’re in LA,” he said. “It’s a nice place to be geographically, where we can just move.”
Florida isn’t a random choice—it’s home to one of the largest Caribbean communities in the U.S., with over 2.1 million Caribbean immigrants residing in the state, according to the Migration Policy Institute. The Jamaican diaspora alone accounts for nearly 320,000 residents, with cultural hubs like Miami and Fort Lauderdale providing fertile ground for Kartel’s next chapter. His relocation has already sparked excitement, especially with the announcement of his first Florida show in over 20 years, scheduled for May 17, 2025, at the Amerant Bank Arena.
Since his visa was reinstated in January, the “Worl’ Boss” has wasted no time reconnecting with his American fan base. Sightings alongside DJ Khaled, a known advocate for Jamaican music and culture, hint at major collaborations on the horizon. Kartel’s return to the U.S. stage will also include a Barclays Center performance in Brooklyn this weekend and a European stint set for July, including marquee stops at SummerJam in Germany and Wireless Festival in London.
As Kartel rebuilds his empire from the ground up—this time on American soil—his influence remains as potent as ever.
