Rumors have been circulating on social media that Jamaican dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel has been granted a United States visa.
A highly-placed source within Kartel’s camp confirmed to The Jamaica Gleaner on Tuesday that the possibility is indeed real.
However, the team said they will pause all celebrations until the passport book is in hand with the visa.
This news comes at an opportune time for Kartel, who is nominated for Best Reggae Album at the upcoming 67th Grammy Awards. The event is scheduled to take place on February 2 at the Cryto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Kartel’s EP, “Party With Me,” released in May 2024 while he was still incarcerated, is one of five albums nominated in the Best Reggae Album category. This marks his first-ever Grammy nomination, which was announced months after his release from prison in July 2024.
Kartel’s freedom was granted following a ruling by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England to overturn his conviction. The Court of Appeal subsequently decided not to retry the case, citing expense, the passage of time, and Kartel’s health issues.
Notably, Kartel’s US visa was revoked by the US embassy in 2005, with no explanation provided then.
