Dancehall icon Vybz Kartel is seeking a United States visa to attend the 67th Annual Grammy Awards next month, where his EP Party With Me is nominated for Best Reggae Album.
In an interview with Billboard, Kartel expressed excitement about the nomination while reflecting on his career. “If I wasn’t incarcerated, I would have been nominated already. But I understand, why would they want to nominate a dude in prison? I know if I wasn’t arrested, based on the trajectory that my career was on, I would have definitely won. But I’m very, very grateful.”
The Party With Me EP, released on May 31, 2024, was created under unique circumstances. “It was done in prison. I was under a vibe and got some beats from [producer] Din Din. It was getting closer to crunch time because the case was now in England. I was writing to keep my mind occupied, ended up with these songs and said, ‘Let me just put them on a little EP.’ Bam, Grammy,” Kartel said.
The project reached number two on the iTunes Top 100 Reggae Albums chart and earned Kartel his first Grammy nomination, alongside contenders like Bob Marley, Collie Buddz, The Wailers, and Shenseea.
Kartel’s visa application marks his first attempt to enter the U.S. since his visa was revoked in 2005 over what he referred to as “allegations.” U.S. officials provided no explanation for the denial, but Kartel hopes for a breakthrough. “It would be a good look for all of us who are nominated to be at the Grammys,” he said.
Other dancehall artists, including Buju Banton and Beenie Man, recently regained their U.S. visas, fueling optimism about Kartel’s chances.
Although his U.S. plans remain uncertain, Vybz Kartel is confirmed to headline the Wireless Festival in England this year and will perform at SummerJam in Germany.
Meanwhile, the 67th Grammy Awards will take place on February 2, 2025, at Los Angeles’s Crypto.com Arena.
