Veteran promoter Matthew Mateo sat down with World Music Views for an exclusive interview reflecting on his decades in the music business, the success of his recent Vybz Kartel concert in Florida, and what fans can expect at the upcoming Father’s Day weekend show in Atlantic City.
Mateo, a Guyanese descendant playing a pivotal role in the evolution of dancehall events in the U.S., described the Florida show as “electric,” recounting a packed venue filled with fans singing every word of Kartel’s hits. “The vibe was incredible. He (Kartel) even had to stop and ask the crowd, ‘Can I sing my own song?’” Mateo laughed.
With a background spanning 30 years, Mateo began as a DJ in New York’s club scene in the 1990s, eventually transitioning into promotions and artist bookings. His résumé includes working with and getting the endorsements from hip-hop and reggae legends such as Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, DJ Envy, Super Cat, Beenie Man, and Sean Paul, with early work in venues like Club Speed, Palladium, and Caribbean Tropics in Queens.
He reminisced on helping artists secure their first U.S. visas, including Beenie Man and Spice, and noted his early role in building Sean Paul’s U.S. presence. “I’ve been doing this a long time,” Mateo said, “and it’s amazing to now see dancehall evolve from clubs to 20,000-capacity arenas.”
Now partnering with Mona Scott-Young and Live Nation, Mateo has built a powerhouse team delivering large-scale Caribbean shows. “Mona’s not just ‘Love & Hip Hop,’ she’s a major force in the music business,” he said. “Together, we’re creating spaces for Caribbean music to thrive.”
The next chapter of Vybz Kartel’s U.S. tour unfolds on Father’s Day weekend (June 14) at Atlantic City’s iconic Boardwalk Hall — a 14,770-seat venue steeped in music history.
Known for hosting legendary acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, and Madonna, Boardwalk Hall now adds dancehall royalty to its storied lineup.
This marks Kartel’s fifth U.S. arena show announced for 2025, and the second produced by veteran promoter Matthew Mateo and his team.
Like Florida, it will be the biggest solo headline all dancehall event in Atlantic City in history. Mateo explained the choice of venue: “New Jersey has a huge Caribbean community, from Trenton to Philly. This is a market that deserves a show like this.”
Following Vybz Kartel’s release from prison last July, his music remains in high demand. Mateo revealed that booking the artist’s tour dates is now highly competitive. “His team is selective—they want to make sure promoters can handle the magnitude of the shows.”
As for the impact of these events, Mateo estimates that shows like Kartel’s can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for host cities through ticket sales, local employment, and tourism. “You can do the math—if tickets average $145 and you sell out a 12,000-seat venue, that’s major.”
When asked if Kartel’s rise is a “dancehall takeover” or just a “Kartel moment,” Mateo responded: “It’s both. Kartel sparked it, but this is a full dancehall movement now. It’s time, and we’re bringing it to markets that have never seen shows on this level.”
Mateo confirmed more arena shows are on the horizon with other artists.
Top Vybz Kartel songs? Mateo laughed before listing: “Summertime,” “Fever” and “Brooklyn Anthem.”
From club circuits to arena productions, Mateo’s vision for dancehall is clear: global reach with cultural integrity. “This isn’t a trend—it’s a movement. And we’re just getting started,” he said.
