Kartel, business partner split - Todd says threats made on his life

(via The Jamaica Star)

Dancehall artiste Adidjah 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer and his American business partner, Corey Todd, have parted ways.

Todd says the entertainer, who was his partner in Street Vybz Rum and The Building nightclub, threatened his life this weekend after they have not been seeing eye-to-eye for months.

"I cannot be associated with nor do business with someone I don't trust. Kartel and I haven't seen eye-to-eye in a while, and late last week, after a disagreement, he threatened me on the phone because I "refused to tek chat". I don't take kindly to threats against me and my family, and I have contacted my lawyers and the relevant authorities to deal with this issue immediately," Todd said in a statement.

He further stated; "I am my own man, I have never worked for Vybz Kartel, I helped to build his career, but I was never about the division in music, or his need to pigeonhole everything as Gaza or not Gaza. I don't understand the creative direction he's moving in with regards to his image or his music."

The Half-Way Tree police have confirmed receiving a report from Todd and said they are investigating.

Kartel, while confirming the split, is denying the allegations made against him. "It has come to my attention that rumours have been circulating that I have made certain disparaging remarks about and towards Corey Todd. I must state that nothing could be further from the truth," a statement from the entertainer's publicist said.

The deejay claimed that; "Mr Todd and I have had a cordial business and personal relationship to date. However, we have reached a point in our professional journey where we are going in different directions and consequently, we will be wrapping up our business relationship. I wish Corey the best in all his future endeavors."

Todd has been in business with the entertainer for the past four years and according to the businessman, it was he who helped create the successful career Kartel now enjoys. That success, he says, seems to have gone to the artiste's head causing him to change.

"I don't know this Vybz Kartel," Todd told THE STAR yesterday. "For the past four years I have been trying to make this man an icon, now he is trying to dictate to me what needs to be done and if I don't he is going to kill me. He is not the same. I don't want to be mean but he doesn't even look the same."

Todd tells THE STAR that he has pumped millions of dollars into building Kartel's career, making him into the most popular entertainer in dancehall today. Together, the two built an empire that included The Building nightclub that hosted the popular Street Vybz Thursdays that is videotaped and aired on the Flow Cable network on Channel 584.

The two were also partners in Street Vybz Rum, an alcoholic beverage that has steadily been gaining market share locally. He said those ideas were his, not Kartel's. Now, the future of those ventures is uncertain. "I am not keeping any event at The Building nightclub for the foreseeable future; I am not doing anymore business with Vybz Kartel. However, I will be doing another product soon, so I am moving forward and I hope to work with other artistes to help build their careers as well," Todd said.

According to the American, for the past several months Kartel has been displaying destructive behaviour including describing his fans as puppets, abusing disc jockeys at The Building if his songs are not played and wanting Todd to rehire 'a trouble-making crony' whom he fired months ago.

"He has also surrounded himself with 'yes men' who keep stroking his ego," Todd says. "He's lost it."

The businessman, who said he has spent millions creating 'a movement' ,says he will lose millions more because of the dissolution of this partnership but that pales in comparison to what he stands to lose if he remains in business with the entertainer.

"I will lose millions, tons of money but I am not motivated by money. Money does not define me. I built this and I will build it again," Todd said. "I don't know this new Vybz Kartel; I haven't known him for quite a while. Enough is enough. I wish him the best with his career."