Vybz Kartel - File

Deejay and businessman Vybz Kartel has taken over the running of Club Blaze in Portmore, and is renovating it for a grand opening over Valentine's weekend.

The club is located at Oak Park Plaza in Marine Park, Portmore. Kartel and his business partner Corey Todd are in it for the long haul have secured a long term lease for the venue.

"We are in a joint venture, myself, Corey Todd and Mr @#$an Jr to pioneer Portmore's second world-class night club series," said Kartel.

Kartel and Todd are in the process of giving the club a whole new look, conceptualising theme nights to keep the party vibes going five days out of every week.

"Club Blaze will be opened on Wednesdays, Thursdays through Sundays. Portmore will now host its own Street Vybz party on Sundays while Street Vybz Thursday continue to shell down the building every Thursday night in Kingston. Club Blaze will not only welcome the Gaza fan, but is for anyone who wants to be where the vibes is at," Todd said.

According to Todd, the Street Vybz Thursday series which was launched late last year has slowly become one of the hottest places to party in the Corporate Area and they hope to replicate the success of that in Kartel's hometown, Portmore. Kartel will be present taking centre stage on the club's opening night and is expected to take an active role in the club. As far as the decor, Todd was reluctant to give away the concept but said the VIP area would be an all-white theme.

Kartel turned to business ventures in 2007, managing various artistes in his Portmore Empire, as well launching his Vybz Rum, Daggerin' Condoms, Street Vybz Rum and other things in store. In a previous interview with The STAR, Kartel said he has no problems in balancing his business life and his musical one. He said, "Entrepeneurship can do more good than bad for my career. It will only help to keep the name Vybz Kartel current."