By 2:45 AM, when Vybz Kartel exited the stage, he had cemented his place in history, accomplishing several remarkable milestones in a single unforgettable night. This event marked his first stadium show and his debut three-hour-plus performance. It also featured reconciliations with Bounty Killer and Tommy Lee, as well as reunions with Gaza Empire artists Popcaan, Lisa Hype, and Jah Vinci. Kartel even acknowledged Black Ryno and Mavado, who were absent, along with two other rumored guests: Canadian star Drake and Bronx native Cardi B. Both were hinted at by Kartel and promoter Joe Bogdonovich but ultimately did not appear, with Cardi headlining E11even Miami on New Year’s Eve.
The National Stadium has long served as a pivotal stage for Jamaican artists aiming to launch international tours. Bob Marley notably chose the venue for two of his most iconic performances: the Smile Jamaica Concert in 1976 and the historic One Love Peace Concert in 1978.
Several videos on social media captured the delays experienced by planes as air traffic control worked to manage the high volume of flights arriving in Jamaica on New Year’s Eve.
One of the night’s standout moments was the arrival of longtime supporter Busta Rhymes, who made his way to Jamaica by chartering a private jet to join the celebration, delivering his trademark rapid-fire rhymes. Adding to the excitement, Shatta Wale from Ghana and Spice lit up the stage with sizzling performances alongside Kartel. The later boldly taking shots at Alkaline during her “Comet Freestyle.”
Vybz Kartel’s historic night draws parallels to Buju Banton’s Long Walk to Freedom Concert in 2019, the last local single headliner event held at Jamaica’s National Stadium. Although his show had a slew of supporting acts, Kartel has expressed his ambition to follow in Buju’s footsteps while striving to surpass his record-breaking success.
Kartel’s debut would have unfolded without a hitch, though one notable incident disrupted the flow—a brief onstage scuffle between promoter Skatta Burrell and Popcaan. Kartel could be heard intervening, exclaiming, “Look how unno a mash up the ting!”
The tension began earlier when both Popcaan and Chronic Law were reportedly denied entry to the venue for unclear reasons. Upon finally making it to the stage, Popcaan vented his frustration, shouting, “Chronic Law outa door fi three hour, a wah mek unuh a wul down the native them,” before directing some heated words at Skatta.
Though this incident momentarily overshadowed Kartel’s monumental career milestone, the “Worl’ Boss” handled it with characteristic composure and flair. He kept the show moving seamlessly, demonstrating his resilience. While he may have been less physically active than in performances 13 years ago, Kartel’s charisma and the audience’s enthusiasm carried the night. Each song introduction from his two-decade catalog drew instant crowd participation, with fans eagerly singing along as Kartel paced himself and rested his vocal cords.
Watch highlights below:
