Kartel could sue - Deejay claiming loss of income

Controversial deejay Vybz Kartel is again in the headlines. This time, the artiste who is known for his witty lyrics, bleached skin, colourful tattoos and his Portmore Empire, is threatening to take legal action following the cancellation of his Colouring Book Party which was scheduled to take place last Saturday.

It was a clearly upset Kartel who responded to the Observer's query via e-mail last night. In the terse reply the deejay said, "honestly I just believe [it] is a matter of bad mind. I don't know what their agenda was behind the cancellation, but I will be claiming in civil court for loss of income."

According to promoter for the event, which should have taken place at the LIME Village in the Sunshine City, Portmore, he had got the permit to stage the event but it was revoked at the eleventh hour.

The promoter said he was told that based on the headline act, there was the strong possibility that the show would attract criminal elements.

When contacted the St Catherine South police, which has responsibility for the Portmore area, declined to comment on the revocation of the permit. The Observer was told that the matter had already been dealt with and therefore there was nothing further on which to comment.

It is understood that the promoter had initially faced a delay in acquiring the permit, but it was eventually granted -- hence the late promotion of the event. Despite that, ticket sales were said to be brisk with more than 3,000 said to have been sold prior to the cancellation, which the promoter says he will have to refund to patrons.

Presented by Golden Promotion the event also set to feature performances from other artistes including Terror Fabulous, Macka Diamond, Macho Kid, Lady G, Venjance, Kibba Ranks, Johnny and Amanda Cat.

Kartel, who copped the Deejay of the Year title for 2010 at a number of local awards, has also been quite a prolific hit maker. His popular tunes have included Bike Back, Benz, Dumpa Truck, Unfaithful, Jeans and Fitted, Clarks, Colouring Book, Cake Soap and Love Dem.

Along with his hits, the deejay has had his fair share of run-ins with the law. Last year he was cited as a person of interest by the police and was detained for questioning. His St Andrew-based recording studio was also raided and ordered closed by the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation.

Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, ignited a firestorm after the government of St Lucia threatened to ban him from performing in that Caribbean country. The move by St Lucia followed similar decisions taken by the authorities in Guyana, Grenada and Barbados. This stirred up debate regarding the free movement of professionals throughout Caricom.

Source: Jamaica-Observer