Detained deejay Vybz Kartel will miss about 24 shows which could cost millions if he’s not released from jail quickly, according to his publicist.

The shows include four in the region and 20 in Europe which were under negotiation. Kartel was detained July 2 and underwent intense questioning after turning himself to the Greater Portmore Police Station, some three days after the police named him and five other men as major persons of interest.

His detention reflects another missed opportunity to deliver prolific tours or hefty record sales.

“There was Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica, one in Trinidad & Tobago, the Bahamas, and a potential booking for England,” stated publicist Claude Mills in a recent telephone interview about Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer. “We were also finalising a 20 city tour in the Europe which is now in limbo,” he added.

That tour included the major markets of France, Germany and the Netherlands. Notwithstanding, Mills was upbeat, stating that the authorities have not charged Kartel and that when released his performance fee will likely increase based on hightened demand. Kartel’s five-day detention was extended to 30 days since July 8. The artiste was questioned in relation to criminal gangs in Portmore, St Catherine.

Kartel has not capitalised on his earning potential despite his popularity. Globally, Kartel represents one of the island’s most visible music ‘brands’, evidenced by internet traffic which puts him currently as the third most searched deejay following Shaggy, Sean Paul and Damian Marley according to Google Trends search data. All artistes above Kartel, and even Matisyahu, on-par with Kartel, have sold at least 500,0000 records. Selling that many records require charting outside the reggae charts which has mainly eluded Kartel. His best result was number 76 on the R&B/Hip-Hop songs Chart with ‘Ramping Shop’ in 2009, according to Billboard.

The deejay also has not capitalised on touring the three largest music markets. His visa to the US — the largest music market — was revoked some five years ago. Second, Mills admitted that in nearly a decade Kartel hasn’t toured Japan or continental Europe, which is the second and third largest music markets respectively. His core earnings therefore come from local and regional shows. But this avenue continues to be under threat as Kartel has been barred from performing in select Caribbean territories, the latest being St Lucia earlier this year. The denial of entry into markets isn’t unique to Kartel as other deejays have been denied entry into the US and other Caribbean territories.

“Having lost his US visa has forced Kartel to change his spending habits. It was a blessing in disguise as it allowed him to enter various streams of business,” stated Mills alluding to Kartel’s label Adidjaheim Records, his branded liquor and condoms.

Music is an important part of the country’s GDP. A recent World Intellectual Property Organisation study prepared by Dr Vanus James stated that Jamaica’s copyright sector of which music activities form part, contributed $29 billion to the economy in 2005 or 4.8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).