Vybz Kartel shares how prison inspired his new album

Vybz Kartel has opened up about the transformation that inspired his latest album, God & Time.

In an interview with People, the Jamaican dancehall star, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, said personal reflection and maturity played a major role in creating the new album.

He explained that his experience behind bars forced him to look inward and recognize when it was time to change direction. "It’s just like the process of life, the process of maturity, the process of understanding who you are, stepping out of yourself, observing who you are, observing your thoughts."

"And understanding that, yo, that’s a red flag. That’s a green flag. OK, move this there," Kartel said.

Adding, "Compartmentalize your life and just focus, [be] purposeful, and [choose] something to aspire to be. God made us in His own image, so we have to aspire to be in the image of God. So it’s God & Time. It’s just basically change."

Furthermore, Vybz Kartel also shared that his perspective on some of his older music has changed. While he still performs some of his earlier material, he said he no longer enjoys certain "gun lyrics" and believes music should evolve alongside life.

He said, "Back in the day we had those very intolerable lyrics, for want of a better phrase. So we don’t do those. The world is an ever-changing, evolving place. You have to find your place and understand how the world works. So certain things we would never do because it’s distasteful."

"I mean, music is art and art is a reflection of life, and once life is evolving, the music, which is the art, has to evolve with it.

"I think the music is more global in terms of what people are willing to say and what not to say. A lot of intent has to be put into your music in terms of what you want to say," he added.

Moreover, Kartel also admitted that while growing up, he didn't understand people who pray multiple times a day, but his time in prison brought him closer to God. "Going through what I was going through in my life in prison and just seeing everything that I worked for just slowly begin to disintegrate. I’m watching my kids grow up. I’m watching my relationships, not just with loved ones, fall apart. I’m watching myself get older. Like, there comes a time when you have to be like, oh, I can’t be fighting in this direction. I need to change course," the artist added