Making music behind prison walls is not a new phenomenon, especially in Jamaica, where some of the country’s biggest stars have turned confinement into creative fuel.
Among the most notable are Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton, reggae and dancehall icons who refused to let incarceration silence their art.
Vybz Kartel, often referred to as the ‘World Boss,’ became a symbol of defiance and determination during his 13 years in prison. Despite being locked up, he managed to record and release chart-topping hits, including Fever, which dominated airwaves across the Caribbean and beyond.
Reports indicate that he used devices such as an iPad and iPhone to record vocals discreetly, sending the material to producers outside the prison. These songs went on to feature in multiple projects and albums, proving that creativity could flourish even within the most restrictive environments.
For Buju Banton, prison became a place of reflection and faith. The Grammy-winning reggae artist, known for his powerful voice and socially conscious lyrics, continued to release music while serving time, including Stumbling Block, a song that explored hardship and redemption.
His words carried a spiritual depth that resonated with fans who saw his music as a message of endurance and hope.
While incarceration has shattered many artistic careers, for these two, it became a period of reinvention.
Prison walls turned into unlikely studios where resilience and rhythm met rebellion. Their music, recorded in secrecy, often carried a raw authenticity that mirrored the struggles of their lives.
Kartel, who was recently released after serving 13 years of a 35-to-life sentence, later revealed that he sustained his career by constantly writing and finding innovative ways to record.
Convicted in 2014 for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, whose body was never found, Kartel maintained his innocence and channelled his emotions into music that continued to dominate the dancehall scene.
Both Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton are proof that even in isolation, true artists find a way to make their voices heard, turning prison time into timeless music.