Opposition Leader Says Meeting with Vybz Kartel Was “Moving”

But, it was the opposition leader’s meeting with Vybz Kartel that went viral on social media. The Jamaican dancehall recording artist was freed from prison a few weeks ago, after spending thirteen years behind bars in connection with the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. Kartel became a free man and after only a couple weeks of freedom, U.D.P. Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow met with him in Jamaica. The musical legend endorsed Barrow’s bid for prime minister and committed to visiting Belize in the coming weeks. Barrow explained that he visited Vybz Kartel along with U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte several years ago, while the artist was still incarcerated. He described the meeting this time around as moving. But there are critics who are of the view that it is not a good look for the Leader of the Opposition to associate with Vybz Kartel. We asked him for his thoughts.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“To see the journey to freedom and to be a part of that, because obviously when you go to visit someone and you see them in captivity you pray for them, their family, their freedom and to see he has gotten his freedom it is a testament to his resilience, and I believe it is something all of us could learn from, especially the youths. I know a lot of the youths in Belize look up to him. Even people my age grew up listening to his music. I am forty-five. But life teaches you whether you want to learn or not. But innocence or guilt, I believe we go through these journeys and challenges to learn lessons. So, my prayer for him is that he would have learnt whatever the universe wants to teach him and that he would be patient with himself. Obviously we are musical brothers, and we have that comrade. He means so much that I travelled to Jamaica to see him. And, we have stayed in touch so when I was visiting with the prime minister and other political figures and investors I didn’t forget my roots. So, it is not that because I am a member of parliament and the opposition leader that I would forget my music roots. No, never.”

 

Paul Lopez

“We saw that he endorsed your bid for prime minster here in Belize. What does his endorsement do for your campaign?”

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“He is in Saint Vincent right now and he met with the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent Ralph Gonzalves. I appreciate a friend being a friend, but I have to do the work along with my colleagues. We have to get sixteen seats. This is not the U.S or other democracies where the people vote for their prime minister or president. But I appreciate his vote of confidence for what it is worth. But we have a lot of work here to do in Belize.”

 

Paul Lopez

“There are those critics who say that a man of your stature who is vying for national leadership shouldn’t be associating himself so closely with somebody who pushes this type of artistry that promotes vulgarity, lewdness and even violence in some cases.”

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“I believe in freedom of speech and as I said Prime Minister Gonzalves just met with him. So, I do not judge the artist. I embrace artistry. I don’t believe in restricting the creatives. I believe it is the responsibility of the state to change the circumstances that a lot of these artists sing about and ig they change the circumstances then they can’t be popular because what they sing about will not be a reality.”