High drama among Vybz Kartel’s fans

 

CHANTS of ‘World Boss’ permeated the air outside the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court in Half-Way-Tree yesterday, in anticipation of dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is facing two murder charges, conspiracy to murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and possession of ganja charges.


From early morning a small gathering of mostly women held vigil at the back gates of the court to catch even a glimpse of the deejay.

While the matter was before the court the gathering, which grew to at least 20 persons, found ways to amuse themselves as well as curious onlookers.

Minutes after 11:00 am, word filtered that the matter was rescheduled for February 23. The group surged forward as it was understood that Kartel was in the prisoners’ holding area. And, this sent a wave of excitement through the group.

The women began dancing and singing lines from Kartel’s Jail for Me.

“Babylon say jail for me, then the judge set bail for me. Smaddy tell the jury, Jah control mi destiny,” they sang in unison.

An onlooker, with a tattoo across her lower back reading ‘Shawdy’ (no relation to the artiste), boldly declared: “Mi nah move till me see Kartel, the real World Boss!”

Another stated: Me have to see Kartel today. Mi waan see if him still brown.”

It would be another hour-and-a-half before they got a quick look at the deejay.

During this time, Kartel’s supporters entertained themselves — there were headstands and handstands.

And, as the midday sun grew hotter so too was the comedy. One member of the group opened her umbrella to shield herself from the direct sunlight. She was soon joined by another. This did not go down well with the owner of the umbrella who promptly shifted and stated: “Since you a bleacher like me, you mus’ walk wid yuh own umbrella.” This sent pals of laughter through the crowd.

At 12:55 pm, Kartel’s partner — 'Shorty' — arrived with lunch for the incarcerated deejay. At this point, the women went quiet.

By 1:15 pm, excitement peaked as the prisoners being returned to the Horizon Remand Centre began boarding the police vehicle. The crowd rushed the gates to catch a glimpse of Kartel. 'Shorty' stood anxiously in front, fidgeting with her car keys.

At 1:22 pm, their moment arrived. Greeted with deafening screams, Vybz Kartel emerged from the ‘bull pen’. He grinned widely and their cheers went up, then in a second he was out of sight in the heavily tinted vehicle.

The women waved, running behind the speeding vehicle, as their ‘world boss’ was whisked away.

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