Admitting that he missed a huge portion of his children’s life while he was imprisoned, Adidja Palmer, stage name Vybz Kartel, beamed with pride as he spoke about the young adults he came home to.

Speaking with Jamaica Observer’s Splash following the conclusion of his Freedom Street press launch at Janga’s Soundbar on Wednesday, he said his heart is full each moment he gets to now spend in the presence of his children.

He shared that he is particularly proud of the musical path his sons have chosen. Vybz Kartel, also known as The Teacha, shared that with so many artistes having emerged as dancehall stars under his tutelage, he is beyond ecstatic to see his bloodline following in his footsteps.

“I am so proud, especially wid Likkle Addi, because one thing wid him, him have the Kartel-ism. Him hungry fi it. Don’t get me wrong ennu, Jaheim (Likkle Vybz), him have it too ennu, but you know he’s got his fiancée, and he got two kids, gave me two grandchildren, and with him being the older one I think he’s just kinda wants to be a family man and build a family life. But Likkle Addi hungry for it; so I am very proud,” said Palmer.

Likkle Addi, the younger of Kartel’s musical pair, has a collaboration with his father dubbed M.O.T.M (Man of the Match). Released just over a month ago, the single is making waves on the local music circuit and has racked up close to 4 million views on
YouTube.

But, even while doting on his sons, Kartel also jumped on the chance to also publicly acknowledge his daughter Adi’ Anna, who received eight passes in the May/June sitting of the regional Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams, six of which were grade ones. As he spontaneously burst into the song written in her honour (
Adianna), Kartel smiled brightly as he spoke of his “Prinny”.

To celebrate her achievements, Vybz Kartel, who shared a picture of the results, took his daughter on a father/daughter date which included a shopping spree.

“Mi haffi big up mi daughter Adi’Ann, mi swear to God a she me rather. Big up, Prinny,” he said.

The entertainer also used the opportunity to express gratitude to the mothers of his children. He shares that each of them, in his absence, did well in raising the kids. But now that he’s out, the Comet deejay said there’s nothing that gives him more joy than being a present and active father and soon-to-be husband.

“Mi come out, me and Sidem, we engaged and mi and mi kids dem reunite. Mi a behave mi self, show back love and support to mi fans and give back to mi fans, because mi blessed. Mi just a live mi best life,” he said.

The artiste said he’s looking forward to delivering a high-energy, world-class performance at Freedom Street on December 31. It will be the deejay’s first live performance in 13 years.