Vybz Kartel, the prolific dancehall artiste, has wasted no time in returning to the music scene following his release from prison. Just hours after being set free, a new 12-track compilation has been released on the artiste's streaming profiles. The project, with a runtime of just over 32 minutes, features only one collaborator, 6ix Boss Squash, and has been distributed by Hapilos.
"EP out now, First Week Out," said a post in Squash's Instagram Stories.
Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was released from the Tower Street Adult Correctional Facility yesterday afternoon after the Court of Appeal overturned his murder conviction. Kartel, along with his co-accused — Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John — had been convicted for the September 2011 murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams. Their appeal was initially dismissed by the Jamaican Court of Appeal in 2020, leading them to take their case to the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.
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On March 14, 2024, the Privy Council overturned their murder convictions on the grounds of juror misconduct and remitted the case back to the Jamaican Court of Appeal to decide whether there should be a retrial. After an appeal hearing held on June 10, the judgment was handed down yesterday by a three-judge panel comprising Justices Marva McDonald-Bishop, Paulette Williams, and David Fraser on the final day of the court term.
The newly released album captures Kartel's signature style, with Squash appearing on multiple tracks. The album's tracklist is as follows:
1. Feel Great (Intro) - Vybz Kartel, featuring Squash
2. The Menace - Vybz Kartel
3. Terror By Night - Vybz Kartel
4. Unstoppable - Vybz Kartel
5. Skillful - Vybz Kartel, featuring Squash
6. Adiadking - Vybz Kartel
7. Giant - Vybz Kartel, featuring Squash
8. Victorious - Vybz Kartel
9. Beat Dem Bad - Vybz Kartel, featuring Squash
10. Win - Vybz Kartel
11. Success Story - Vybz Kartel
12. Number One - Vybz Kartel