Just one day after the Court of Appeal granted his acquittal and that of his co-accused, King of Dancehall Vybz Kartel triumphantly released ‘First Week Out’ a compilation of similarly themed songs about victory and being strongwilled.

This new release, a few fan favourites, marks a celebratory milestone for the ‘Worl’ Boss.

The EP features a carefully curated selection of 12 songs, some of Kartel’s classic hits, providing a musical backdrop to his recent legal victory. I enjoyed the sentiment of it—even if I did have to suffer through dancehall artiste Squash on four tracks.

Fans of the Dancehall legend are seemingly pleased as the tracks deliver Kartel’s mood of ‘victoriousness’ and elucidate Kartel’s lyrical strengths that have cemented his place in the genre’s history.

The release of ‘First Week Out’  was announced through a post to his X account where the Last Man Standing artiste wrote “Enjoy #firstweekout out now on all platforms” with a photo of the EP cover attached.

The EP’s title reflects not only his freedom but also a renewed sense of artistic freedom and celebration of winning his legal battles— serendipitously the release came on the island’s Emancipation Day where we celebrate the abolition of slavery.

I am surprised he did not name one of the tracks ‘Big up Buchanan’, to pay homage to the main lawyer on his defence line-up who in the end got him the result he was looking for.

The Menace released in 2021, on his Born Fi Dis album, was an interesting inclusion on the track lists assign its third verse, many say Kartel took his first lyrical shot at former Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Paula Lewellyn:

After the EP release, social media has been in a celebratory mood and so has Kartel, as he has been posting regularly on his pages.

His latest X post shows him promoting his Fire Grabba brand with the caption:

Kartel’s intention is clear, he is back, and he is also “back to business”, but not everyone is happy.

In any case, whatever folks feel won’t make a difference in the grand scheme of things. He is free, and although I cannot measure it, just by the sheer amount of support that I have seen throughout this whole process of appeals both locally and abroad to his recent acquittal, Vybz Kartel has more fans than he does oppositions.

This twelve-track EP is a reminder that his victory, whether you like it or not, Kartel has won the war.

As the Worl’ Boss steps back into the spotlight, his latest work is emblematic of both a personal and professional comeback, promising to captivate listeners and set the tone for what promises to be a glorious new chapter in his storied career.