Vybz Kartel's strategy of media saturation is well oiled. No sooner does his former business partner Corey Todd (with whom he set up Vybz Rum, among other things) spill his views to the press on what Kartel has become than the Teacha hits back with a statement. In fact, everybody has him wrong, the deejay insists. The bleaching, the fake hair, the controversial songs, it is all only to denounce "the hypocrisy of society". And he goes on to announce his educational projects… We publish a translation of his statement below:
"Many of you have heard or seen the recent accusations made by my former associate over the past few weeks. I do not know why all these people think the most appropriate way, after a philosophical difference, is to run to the newspapers and attack me.
All I can say is that it reminds me of the admonitions of Bob Marley when he said "man to man is so unjust you don’t know who to trust…your best friend can turn out to be your worst enemy…" I will say nothing more than "Who the cap fit, mek them wear it".
I am writing this statement because I believe these accusations are due to a breach of confidentiality, certain individuals having got wind of my future plans, and they know they cannot stop me without resorting to these underhand tactics.
Jamaica, Vybz Kartel has had a secret for a long time and I think it is time I revealed it, before some try to derail my plans by telling lies about me in their attempt to muzzle me.
Two years ago, I had an epiphany on stage. I saw thousands of people shouting Kartel's name, jumping, and listening to every word I said. It was as if they were eating out of my hand. At that moment, something strange happened, and as I heard the crowd shouting that they wanted more, I suddenly realised that my calling was to be more than a deejay.
I realised that the people were not eating out of my hand, but that they wanted to hear Kartel speak, because at last someone was telling them their story in a deep and uncensored way. Whether I talk about sexuality, poverty, police brutality, injustice, the trials and tribulations of the ghetto, I was ultimately giving a voice to the people of the ghetto, a loud voice such as society had never heard.
I know I am not the first to try to do this. When I did my research, I saw that Marcus Garvey, Sam Sharpe and Paul Bogle all spoke truth to power on behalf of the people, but were ostracised and, in some cases, killed. Later, Marley, Tosh and Jacob Miller did the same, and all died young in somewhat mysterious circumstances. I saw what they did to the old Rastamen, to People's Telecom, to Marcus Garvey's political party and to all the other entities that attacked Babylon head-on.
I did not want to meet the same fate, and I did not want them to muzzle me either, so I made the decision I had to: I had to fool Babylon. I realised that if I kept doing outrageous and strange things, they would only see me as an artist seeking attention, without realising that since 26 July 2009, quietly, I have written a book and set up my GEL programme (Gaza Education and Literature). So they put the focus on me, never suspecting that it was themselves they were putting under the spotlight, because Vybz Kartel is not about braces, bleaching and hairstyles, I am working to uplift the cause of the people of the ghetto.
Jamaica, please understand that sometimes you have to trap Babylon with confusion. If I had revealed my intentions two years ago, do you think the people who control the media would have reported my every move? Babylon, you have been trapped. For 500 years, the system has used reverse psychology to deceive us. Let us see the hypocrisy of society for what it is. Now that my book is about to come out, now that most of my songs will take on a more cultural connotation (as I have made the decision to stop singing gun lyrics), now that I am going to offer educational opportunities to the youngest, will you give me as much attention?
In business terms, I do not think a rum and a night club make an empire. The Portmore Global Empire has been under construction for some time, with proper infrastructure being put in place. I am several moves ahead, and I have consulted lawyers in Pembroke Pines, Florida, about branding, contracts, representation and the protection of my rights worldwide.
The team I am working with is made up of graduates in finance, marketing and communications, and has the expertise I will need. It is funny to hear "nobody can tell Kartel anything" when I have consultants helping me set up my future projects. I have not finalised any decision for now but I have invested considerable resources to take my business to another level. Again, as Bob Marley said, half of the story has never been told.
I know many of my fans will probably be surprised, but understand me, I feel called by a power greater than myself. Black people have suffered too long, we have been in poverty too long, we have been brutalised too long, and Vybz Kartel is announcing to the world that he will use the spotlight you have put on me to illuminate their cause. I am not naive and I know that, based on recent television interviews, my life and my freedom are in more danger than ever because I have no intention of easing my pressure on the system and its agents. However, I am at peace with this decision. Gaza ladies, you are still my sweethearts so do not worry, the black race must procreate so I will give you more Dumpa Truck, you will still Get wild and you will still ride your 10 speed bicycle in Slow Motion. I will never stop deejaying for you. Thugs, you built Kartel, I will never move away from you, but you will have new messages from me.
It is regrettable that I have been forced to make this statement prematurely. My book is due out on 23 July 2011, the birthday of Haile Selassie, my GEL programme was to be launched for the 2011-2012 academic year, but the forces against me are growing on television and in the newspapers. After consulting the few trusted advisers I have left, I decided to make this statement so that if they take my life or my freedom, the projects will carry on. Keep in mind that the greatest black man who ever lived, Marcus Garvey, was betrayed by people he trusted, and that he suffered continual defamation. So I guess I am in good company. We will not stop saying Gaza 4 Life, we are simply moving the message forward."