Vybz Kartel - File photos

VybzKartel plans to give back to his community through his most recent business venture - Street Vybz Thursdays.

Starting this Thursday the event will be held weekly at the Building in New Kingston, formerly the Asylum, over the course of three months.

Street Vybz Thursdays was the brain child of its originator Vybz Kartel. In a recent interview with THE STAR, Kartel's business partner Corey Todd explained more about the event saying, "the idea came from di teacha to do something weekly so the people could see him and also to donate to his community. It's also a way to get the Street Vybz brand out there more."

spin-off

Street Vybz was launched in April of this year, a spin-off of Kartel's 'Vybz Rum' brand. Every Thursday night at the Building, there will be Street Vybz specials, ladies free all night, a mechanical bull contest, guest selectors each week and it is to be hosted by various members of the Portmore Empire. "Kartel will be performing or hosting it on a regular so you can look to see him there directly. The brand has been doing well and is distributed island-wide and we've also been showing our support by sponsoring a number of dancehall events" Todd said.

Proceeds from the venture according to Todd will be used to buy computers for various primary schools in Portmore, an after school programme is in the planning phase and a playground will be erected in Waterford (Kartel's hometown). Todd elaborated, "this is all gonna happen very soon and so far we've spent money from our pockets, so as soon as the dance starts to make money we'll hopefully start by next month."

Adding, "For the after school program we want to teach job training skills, hire people to work with our products and to work in the Kingston area. Jobs are lacking in these communities and the high school drop out rates are high, so we plan to address all of that."

'gaza laws'

Recently the 'gaza' name which is associated with the deejay, has been getting negative attention after it was reported that a female was beaten for breaking the 'gaza laws' in the 'Big Yard' community on Mannings Hill Road. This has been the latest in a series of incidents involving over zealous fans. Todd hopes to show through this venture, that the 'gaza' name is not a negative one saying, "we do a lot of good stuff as well, we provide a lot of jobs and are doing great things for the dancehall that hasn't been done before."