Portmore Empire head Vybz Kartel has described his former protégé, Blak Ryno, as a confused individual after his recent departure from the crew.

Speaking to THE WEEKEND STAR yesterday, Kartel discussed his reaction to Ryno's abrupt departure from the Portmore Empire on Wednesday, of which he has been a member since January 2007.

priorities mixed

Kartel said: "Ryno is, in my analysis, a confused individual going through some sort of post-adolescence trauma, where in his pursuit to find himself is getting his priorities mixed up and as a result, is making decisions in a subconscious, bewildered state of mind."

The deejay further said that: "Portmore Empire and Gaza will continue to grow from strength to strength merely because I am Gaza."

According to Kartel, persons can look out for his newest member Gaza Slim and his protégé Popcaan.

The Portmore Empire started in 2007 after Kartel's departure from the Alliance in 2006. The Empire have consisted of members such as Popcaan, Singa Blinga, Dosa Medicine, Lisa Hype, Shawn Storm, Gaza Indu, Sheba, Jah Vinci among others.

Blak Ryno was an original member of the Portmore Empire and was seemingly one of the closest to Kartel, often citing him as a major influence and called him 'daddy' on numerous occasions.

Ryno is the third deejay to have departed the Empire recently, the first being Lisa Hype, now called Lisa Hyper. Hyper was dismissed from the Empire late last year shortly after a compromising picture of the deejay began circulating on the Internet.

In January newcomer to the Empire, Gaza Kim - now known as Kym, willingly left the Empire after an incident which took place in the 'Big Yard' community off Mannings Hill Road. Kym was severely beaten on what sources say were orders by Kartel. Kartel later denied any involvement.