Vybz Kartel Freedom Street Promises to be a Historic Performance: “You’re Going to Be in for a Treat!”
In an exclusive interview with World Music Views, dancehall legend Vybz Kartel opened up about his highly anticipated performance at the Freedom Street concert set for December 31, promising fans an unforgettable experience. Known for his dynamic persona and lyrical mastery spanning two decades, Kartel detailed his plans, which include a series of wardrobe changes and performances that span his entire career. Fans will witness the evolution of Kartel, from the early days of the “Teacher” to his current status as the “World Boss.”
“But me can tell you this,” Kartel began, “People you are going to be in for a treat,” he shared. Kartel explained that each phase of his career will be represented in the performance. From the era of his iconic clash (battle) with Mavado, to the hits that don’t fit neatly into any category but remain timeless classics, he plans to cover it all.
“How we are going to do it now, we are going to do it in sections because remember you have the black Kartel which is the Teacher, you have the bleach out Kartel which is the World Boss—in between that you have the War Angel when me and Mavado inna things.”
Despite being incarcerated for 13 years, Kartel continued to dominate the dancehall scene, with his music reaching fans worldwide and amassing over 1 billion Spotify streams but many of his newer fans have never witnessed a Vybz Kartel concert.
“You know what I mean, and then you have some big song between 2002 and 2011 weh kinda no fit in a any category but they are big songs. Then you have the prison Kartel,” he highlighted. Prison Kartel spawned his biggest hits including ‘Fever” which is certified Gold in the US and Silver int he U.K. for sales and streams equivalent units surpassing 500,000 and 200,000 respectively.
He touched on the uniqueness of his situation, pointing out that his post-incarceration catalog has never been performed live. “People now remember seh me have a catalogue from 2011 to 2024 when nobody never see me performed yet. How amazing is that? And in that catalogue, they have a plethora of hit songs from Fever, go right back. Just think about it—from September 2011 to the 31st of July 2024, nobody on the face of the earth never seen my performance of a song from that catalogue—they are almost as big as the 2002-2011 catalogue.”
“So the people in fi a treat that they never see before, me have like five outfits to change,” Kartel enthusiastically told WMV.
Kartel, 48, also broke down the significance of each wardrobe change, giving insight into the various sections of his performance. “Inna me Karl Kani (New Millennium with Wayne Marshall)—the Black Kartel section—me haffi inna me jersey, you have the war section weh me haffi inna camouflage, then me haffi inna me rosary chain section. Yo Jay trust me, people just believe me man, be there.”
As for his female fans, Kartel assured that they won’t be left out. He’s planning a special section dedicated to the ladies, where he’ll perform some of his biggest hits dubbed “gyal songs.”
“The Kartel for the ladies—remember me don’t even start talking about the ladies yet. We have a section for them. Songs like ‘Yuh body make him haffi come home, gyal a you alone.’ Remember them song deh nuh perform a prison them song deh drop from. Fever, all of them gyal songs deh weh gyal love. Plus the one them from road Kartel: ‘Bicycle’ and ‘gyal men you a swan so’ and all a die song deh.”
In addition to the music, Kartel gave exclusive details about the stage setup, revealing that it will be unlike anything seen before in Jamaica. “The stage aguh strong, matter of fact it’s a round stage you know. I don’t think that ever happened in Jamaica because literally the stage is round.”
Kartel’s return to the stage promises to be a monumental event, combining the best of his past, present, and future in a way only he could deliver. Fans across the globe are eagerly waiting to witness the ‘World Boss’ in action once again, and based on his words, they are indeed in for a treat.
Tier two tickets for the Vybz Kartel concert are now available for sale ranging from US$150- $12500.
Watch clip of interview with Vybz Kartel below:
