With the controversial deejay being charged for murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm, the fate of the deejay, his businesses, reality show Teacha's Pet and the Portmore Empire is too early to be decided. With the news of his recent woes many have questioned what will become of his group of young artistes known as the Portmore Empire.

The Portmore Empire was started in 2007 and is an alliance of dancehall artistes from Portmore led by deejay Vybz Kartel. Members of the group currently are: Vybz Kartel, Shawn Storm, Popcaan, Gaza Indu, Sheba, and Gaza Slim, aka Vanessa Bling. Speaking with The STAR yesterday, Vanessa Bling, known for songs One Man and Moving On, said she was very surprised by the news that her mentor has been charged. According to the singer, she had recently spoken with the other females of the Empire, Sheba and Gaza Indu, who were both depressed over Kartel's current troubles.

She said, "Mi just waan sey free mi boss in the name of Jesus." She added, "Mi a gwaan pray fi him, mi nah give up, Gaza mi sey forever and Gaza a Vybz Kartel. Mi know sey dem cyaan stop him, me a pray fi him every day cause a him me sey."

Speaking with The STAR yesterday prominent member of the Portmore Empire Popcaan was also surprised that Kartel was being held for murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm. "Mi nuh know how it go, me and him do business musically, so mi nuh 100 per cent sure of his personal life and can't know how true any of it be," he said.

Popcaan said he was hurt by the news as Vybz Kartel is someone that a lot of persons look up to. He said, "Mi feel hurt, mi nuh expect dem tings from him, even if its true or if is frame dem frame him."

He disclosed that since Kartel's arrest and subsequent charges he and the other members of the Portmore Empire have been talking and are "still a family same way." Popcaan and Gaza Slim agreed that the Empire will continue. Gaza Slim said, "Empire and Gaza will still go on."

While Popcaan added, "Empire will always continue, me deh yah being strong, we deh yah for a purpose same way and we gonna continue doing what we do same way and hope fi di best."

As to who will take over the reins as leader of the Empire with Kartel being incarcerated, Popcaan said, "Mi nuh know who's gonna be the best leader, mi just a do my ting." Popcaan is known for his hit song with Kartel Clarks, as well as songs like Raving and Only Man She Want, among others.