"Babylon can incarcerate the messenger but not the message."

These are the words of Vybz Kartel which echoed throughout the launch of his debut book, last Friday.

The incarcerated deejay, launched The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto a few feet away from the Horizon Remand Centre, where he is currently being held.

Although there was a strong police presence at the launch, fans of the 'World Boss' came out in their numbers.

major influence

Guest speaker at the launch, Louis Moyston, opened his address with the song Thank you Jah by Kartel. Moyston, who was given the task to read and share his comments on the book, stated that the book will have a major influence on persons and will be transformative in changing their lives.

According to Moyston, in the book, Kartel highlights that there are certain aspects of how ghetto people lived their lives that needed to be changed. The book also tackles everyday issues and takes a deeper look at society, family, the broadcast commission and more.

The cover of 'Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto', Adidja Palmer aka Vybz Kartel's first book. - Contributed

Moyston described Kartel as one of the best storytellers who encourages individuals to embrace black consciousness.

Michael Dawson, co-author of the book described Kartel as a reluctant freedom fighter.

Dawson stated that Kartel was ecstatic when the idea of having the book launch close to the remand centre was brought up.

I'm very happy

"I'm very happy with the launch because when we decided to keep it here we figured that there would be some police presence, and a lot of people called asking us to move it. It was important to Addi that we have it here, his spirit is here and I'm very happy," Dawson told THE STAR.

Dawson also told THE STAR that the book focuses on the hypocrisy of Jamaica.

"It focuses on the classism, the racism, all the things that Kartel has talked about but which have never been highlighted. Kartel is what I would call a reluctant freedom fighter. He has sung those songs but he just never wanted to get involved in that because he didn't want to deal with the consequences that he thought would happen if he started this. In May last year he decided that he was going to do it, let the chips fall where they may," Dawson said.

Fans of Vybz Kartel can purchase the book online at: vybzkartelbook.com.

O. Rodger Hutchinson

Information Officer

Regional Department

Jamaica Information Service

Lecturer at the University of the West Indies and 2008 Paul Bogle guest Lecturer , Louis Moyston makes a point to a large gathering at the Anglican Church Hall in Morant Bay, St Thomas to hear him speak on the relevance of Paul Bogle to today's youth. The l ecture is held by the Social Development Commission  a annually as part of activities to mark November as Youth Month.