How many kids does Vybz Kartel have? All about his baby mama as Dancehall star is freed from prison after 13 years

Dancehall star Vybz Kartel was recently released from prison after he was sentenced back in 2014 for being allegedly involved in the murder of his associate Clive 'Lizard' Williams. The 48-year-old has worked with popular faces like Jay-Z and is a father of seven children.

The names of four of his kids remain unknown and the other three include Little Vybz, Little Addi, and World Boss Jr.

Kartel was supposed to be released a long time ago, which was delayed when the Supreme Court of Jamaica refused to give bail. Notably, the accusations against him were declared invalid in March this year by the Privy Council.

The Portmore, Jamaica native was originally sentenced to 35 years and it was eventually reduced to 32-and-a-half years. Apart from him, the co-defendants - Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John - initially pleaded not guilty before being sent behind bars.

In the latest verdict which came out on July 31, 2024, the court declared that Vybz Kartel's case would not go for a retrial. The court order stated:

"We conclude that the interest of justice does not require a new trial to be ordered."

The judges' panel included Marva McDonald-Bishop, Paulette Williams, and David Fraser, and they additionally considered Vybz's health conditions alongside the psychological and financial impact of a long sentence on the accused before coming to the final decision.

Vybz Kartel's defense had previously addressed his condition inside the jail in an interview with Fox 5 in 2011. They said at the time that the prison was falling short of air circulation, water, and a bucket to use the toilet. The defense continued:

"His face is actually swollen. And one other thing. He always wears glasses; in this condition, that causes his eyes to protrude."

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Vybz Kartel has been engaged to Sidem Ozturk for around two years: Relationships and other details explained

Also known as Adidja Azim Palmer, his personal life has been in the headlines over the years due to his history of relationships. This is also the reason that he is a father of seven children. Notably, the identities of some of his partners remain unknown for now.

Two of his kids were born from his romance with Tanesha 'Shorty' Johnson. The pair's love story dates back to 2000 when they first met at a nightclub in Portmore. Kartel later got engaged to Sidem Ozturk in September 2022 in prison but does not have any children from her so far.

The Sun states that Ozturk is a social worker who provides help to adults and children. In an interview with Fox 5 in 2021, Sidem said that they were addressing each other as "hubby and wifey" and they eventually decided to get engaged at one point. She even praised Vybz Kartel by saying:

"He's smart. I love his heart. He has an amazing heart. It's just so giving, so loving. I like to call him my angel. He's an angel in my life. I can't deny how happy he makes me feel."

Back in December 2023, Vybz Kartel also shared a few pictures through his Instagram page where he was posing with Ozturk alongside his sons Little Vybz and Little Addi, marking their reunion for a long time. The posts were later deleted.

On another occasion, Tanesha posted a video through her TikTok page in October last year where she spoke up on how she was looking after the children and said:

"No, it never difficult. As a real mother, as a strong mother, it never difficult. Me can do it again. Me can raise them again and again again."

Meanwhile, Vybz Kartel has shared a few posts after his release from prison, including a video where he was sitting inside a car, and was accompanied by Ozturk who was spotted taking selfies.