Hot 97 personalities Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg from the “Juan Ep Is Life” podcast have released a new episode featuring dancehall icon Vybz Kartel. This marks Kartel’s first interview since his release from prison after serving a 13-year sentence. In this candid conversation, Kartel opens up about recording music while incarcerated, his plans to marry his fiancée, and how he maintained his self-assurance throughout his time behind bars.

Kartel detailed the creative methods he used to record music in prison, including wrapping his mattress around his head to soundproof his recordings. He would kneel on the floor with his phone positioned three feet away, laying down tracks that an external engineer would later refine. Remarkably, his hit song “Fever” was one of many recorded under these challenging conditions.

The discussion also highlighted Kartel’s upcoming performances, with Rosenberg confirming that Kartel will headline a major show in Jamaica on December 31st. Kartel described it as “the biggest concert in Jamaica since Bob Marley” and revealed plans for additional performances throughout the Caribbean and South America.

Kartel also spoke about his health, mentioning that he is working with a personal trainer to get back into shape for his return to the stage. He expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from the Jamaican community since his release and thanked fans who sent him letters and gifts during his imprisonment.

When the conversation turned to future collaborations, Kartel expressed interest in working with Lil Wayne and praised the influence of artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar, noting their popularity in Jamaica.

Catch the full interview below.