In a highly anticipated return to the stage, Dancehall artist Vybz Kartel is set to perform his first concert since being released from prison on New Year’s Eve, December 31, in Jamaica.
The announcement was made by Downsound Entertainment executive Skatta Burrell on Friday, who shared a video that has sparked excitement among fans.
The video features Kartel alongside Downsound CEO Joe Bogdanovich, with the two appearing to sign a contract, followed by a handshake and a warm embrace. As the scene unfolds, the line “Hey Joe, mek mi tell yuh how mi grow” from Kartel’s 2015 hit “How Mi Grow,” produced by Downsound Records, plays in the background. The video concludes with the message, “See you in Jamaica December 31,” and was captioned by Skatta as: “This New Year’s Eve countdown is going to be one for the books. @vybzkartel @downsound_entertainment.”
Details on the venue for the concert have yet to be disclosed.
Kartel’s return to the stage comes after his recent release, following the overturning of his murder conviction by the UK’s Privy Council last month. The Dancehall superstar had already teased the possibility of a major event by asking fans to suggest names for his upcoming “Freedom Concert,” after revealing that Skatta had requested a title for the event.
The announcement of Vybz Kartel’s New Year’s Eve performance arrives just days after Isiah Laing, founder of Supreme Promotions and the Sting concert series, commented on the potential impact of Kartel’s return to the stage. Laing expressed concern about the timing of the concert, which closely follows the Sting 2024 event scheduled for December 26 to 28. He noted that while he welcomes Kartel’s return, choosing a December date could be seen as a challenge to Sting, a pivotal event in the Dancehall calendar.
“He has been away for so long, mek him come get him glory. But don’t come pon my pathway in December. Him shouldn’t choose December because when him duh dat now, is like him a look war,” Laing remarked, adding that his history with Kartel includes pivotal moments like signing the artist’s first contract.
Despite the tension, Laing also expressed hope that Kartel will make wise decisions as he readjusts to life outside of prison. Meanwhile, Sting 2024 is gearing up to be a three-night festival, with a stage show on December 26 at JamWorld, followed by a street dance and sound clash on December 27 at Kingston Waterfront, and concluding with a beach party on December 28 at Fort Rocky.
In an interview with Entertainment Report on TVJ, Vybz Kartel also indicated that he will be staging concerts in other Caribbean countries including The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and Barbados.
