Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel confirmed that he was a Freemason days before he was incarcerated for murder in 2011.

In an interview that has resurfaced following his release after a successful appeal, Kartel denied claims that he was a member of a cult.

"Yes, I am in a group of freemasons, but what is freemasonry? Nothing is wrong with Freemasonry. Masons build the earth. That is why, if you look at freemasonry, you see the compass and the square, which build the earth. The earth is built from lines and circles," said Kartel.

Kartel explained that he neither ascribes to Christianity, Buddhism or Islam and is bewildered by allegations that he sold his soul to the devil.

"Many people say Vybz Kartel sold his soul to the devil. I'd like to know how selling souls to the devil goes. Is it like an advert where you announce "soul for sale and good condition" and the devil writes a cheque? I'd like to know how that works because I do not know how one can sell his soul to the devil," said Kartel.

According to the award-winning Summer Time hitmaker, religion is an instrument of social division.

"Vybz Kartel is a spiritual person. I am not a religious person. When you say believe in God, you say Jesus. I am not a religious person like that. I don't believe in Christianity, Buddhism or Islam because, to me, religion is division.