A viral claim suggesting that Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel said he was “born in Jamaica but is Kenyan” is not supported by any verified public recording or statement from the musician.

Instead, available video footage and media reports show that Kartel made light-hearted remarks expressing his appreciation for his Kenyan fan base, referring to himself as both “Kenyan and Jamaican” in what has widely been interpreted as a symbolic gesture rather than a declaration of citizenship.

During a TikTok Live session that attracted attention in Kenya, the award-winning artiste, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer, addressed his supporters by saying:

“Big up Kenya man, remember I’m a Kenyan and a Jamaican. One Kenya, you hear that!”

In the same interaction, Kartel also appealed to concert organizers to arrange a performance in Kenya, saying:

“Tell the promoters Kartel is ready to come home.”

The comments quickly circulated across Kenyan social media platforms, with many fans welcoming the prospect of the dancehall star performing in the country. However, some posts later misrepresented the remarks by claiming Kartel had stated that he was born in Jamaica but was Kenyan.

No verified video, interview or official statement reviewed by reputable media outlets contains those words.

Kartel was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and is a Jamaican citizen. His remarks about being “Kenyan and Jamaican” were made in the context of engaging with fans and expressing his affinity for Kenya rather than describing his legal nationality.

The comments are consistent with a common practice among international musicians, athletes and entertainers who sometimes refer to themselves as belonging to countries where they enjoy strong fan support. Such expressions are generally understood as symbolic acknowledgements of their audience rather than official statements about citizenship or national identity.

The clarification comes as misleading quotations and edited video clips continue to circulate widely on social media, often altering the original context of public figures’ remarks. Media and fact-checking organizations have repeatedly advised the public to verify viral claims against original recordings or credible news reports before sharing them.

As of publication, Vybz Kartel has not issued any statement claiming to hold Kenyan citizenship or to have been born in Kenya. His publicly available remarks indicate that he was expressing appreciation for Kenyan fans and enthusiasm about the possibility of visiting the country for a performance.