Trinidad and Tobago’s Acting Commissioner of Police, Junior Benjamin, confirmed to the Trinidad Guardian that the Financial Investigations Branch (FIB) is investigating the origin and timing of a substantial US$950,000 payment made to Jamaican dancehall star Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer for a performance that ultimately never happened.
The payment was reportedly made by a local promoter for Palmer to headline last Saturday’s One Caribbean Music Festival, held at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Despite being the event’s advertised main act, Vybz Kartel did not take the stage, blaming his no-show on the promoters’ failure to deliver the remaining portion of his agreed US$1.35 million fee.
Although no official complaint has been lodged, Benjamin stated, “The TTPS has not received any formal report on the matter,” but said authorities had launched a proactive investigation regardless. “Nevertheless, we continue to look at the matter, and based on that, I have already engaged the FIB to look into the matter, so we will look into it and will see what are the ramifications that come out of it.”
The event, which featured other foreign acts such as Malie Donn, Rvssian, Sizzla Kalonji, and Moliy—along with local artists Lady Lava and Ravi B—faced backlash after only one overseas performer, Jamaican artist Chronic Law, appeared on stage. The missing headliner sparked outrage among patrons and triggered deeper questions about how such a large sum of foreign currency was mobilised.
Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo also expressed concern about the transaction, given the country’s ongoing foreign exchange challenges. “I am also intrigued by the amount of foreign exchange being mentioned in the media reports as having been involved in this venture and I expect in other similar ventures,” Tancoo said.
“I have requested the Ministry of Finance to investigate and report on the very questions you raised,” he added, describing the effort as “a fact-finding effort.”
“Our Prime Minister and Government is fully supportive of private sector development of foreign exchange generators, including the commercialisation of the music and entertainment industry towards greater contribution to our country’s gross domestic product. We will share the results of this inquiry when we get same,” Tancoo assured.
Vybz Kartel was reportedly paid via a single bank transfer, and event organisers maintain that US$950,000—more than three-quarters of the contracted fee—had been sent in advance. The remaining amount, which was allegedly due before the performance, was not received.
As the fallout from the event continues, both law enforcement and financial authorities are now digging deeper into the controversial transaction, which has stirred debate about oversight and transparency in the entertainment sector.
