In more ways than one, Vybz Kartel’s freedom has served as a lifeline for many of his colleagues and protégés.

Since his release from prison in July 2024, entertainers who have had fairly dormant careers over the past decade have managed a level of resurgence as the “Worl’ Boss” offered them a platform through his Freedom Street concert on December 31.

Stylysh, who admits Vybz Kartel changed the trajectory of her career from the outset, said although she has managed to remain relevant during the deejay’s stint in prison, she was ready to call it quits on her career. But after sharing the stage with Vybz Kartel on Freedom Street, Stylysh says she’s ready to go all in once more.

“I don’t think he even knows what he really did for me and my career. I wanted to give up on music. I was ready to throw in the towel before the show. But when I saw Vybz Kartel, he said I had to run in on the show. And then when I went on stage, and I heard the crowd reaction, I woke up,” she said. “I always knew people loved me and appreciated my music, but the love weh mi receive from that show, trust me, gave me a new perspective. I’m just embracing all that and just going full speed ahead for 2025.”

Stylysh told the Jamaica Observer that, in an industry where true talent is not recognised enough, she felt like she was working in vain at one point. She shared that the challenges of watching mediocrity rising to the top sometimes added to her frustration and her wanting to call it quits.

“It’s like you’re putting in the work and it’s getting swept aside, and when you look you see the things people actually giving strength to and it makes you really question yourself,” she said.

Highlighting that the December 31 performance with Vybz Kartel was the first time the pair got to perform their single R You Ready, Stylysh said she was overcome as the song helped to change her life when it was first released and was managing to do it again in that moment.

“The song we did together was done while he was incarcerated, so I always anticipated the moment we could perform that song together. And to see how the crowd received me; it was amazing. It reminded me of when I just started out. It was a big thing for me, a big deal,” she said. “Whatever Vybz Kartel touches it literally turns to gold, and that’s what happened with our song. The collab he did with me took me a very far way. I was able to travel overseas with that song because of that song, and it’s Vybz Kartel that did all that for me. To have performed with Vybz Kartel was one of my greatest achievements in 2024.”

Hoping to ride the wave from Freedom Street into 2025, Stylysh says she has been busy in the studio as she prepares to release loads of material for the new year.

“I think I started the year great, and you can just look out for more work. I have been voicing and so I’m going to be putting out a lot of stuff. My main aim is to be consistent, and I am fully focused on making my dream a reality,” she said.