Vybz Kartel is now the King of Dancehall Music
- dancehallleaguejm
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Reggae Sumfest made history this year as Vybz Kartel, the acclaimed Dancehall heavyweight, was officially crowned King of the Dancehall during Night One of the festival at Montego Bay’s Catherine Hall.
Marking his triumphant return to Sumfest after a 14-year absence—stemming from both his 2011 arrest and subsequent imprisonment—Kartel reignited the festival’s energy with an electrifying one-hour set. He opened with “MoBay Anthem” as a salute to the host city, then surged through hits like “My Scheme,” “Send Fi Mi Army,” “Love Dem,” and concluded with the uplifting “God Is the Greatest.”
The crowning ceremony was a visual spectacle: Kartel, draped in a Jamaican football jersey and shimmering chains, was seated on a white-gold throne. Fellow Queen of Dancehall, Spice, placed a jewel-encrusted red velvet crown on his head—choosing from two options offered on a pillow—officially designating him the genre’s new monarch.
In an emotional moment, Vybz Kartel expressed his gratitude, “It’s a joy fi sit down yah suh inna mi owna country… ‘Worl’ Boss, yuh finally officially deserve it. Big up yuhself.” He paid respects to Dancehall trailblazers: Beenie Man, the prior “King,” along with Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, and Ninja Man—acknowledging their influence on his rise.
Festival organizer Joe Bogdanovich affirmed that Kartel’s crowning was both overdue and fitting. “This is a great historical moment… it’s all about love; it’s about change, community and helping one another and this man—big him up!”
Despite facing a life sentence in 2014, Kartel defied expectations—continuing to record prolifically from behind bars, releasing over 50 songs in 2016 alone, and seeing his album King of the Dancehall hit #2 on Billboard’s Reggae Charts. His 2024 release, Party With Me, even earned a Grammy nomination, underscoring an artistic resilience few have matched.
After a landmark Privy Council ruling in March 2024 led to the quashing of his conviction—and his eventual release in July 2024—the stage was set for his Sumfest return.
Veteran Dancehall icon Bounty Killer publicly endorsed Kartel’s crown, explaining that true kingship is earned across generations. He lauded Kartel’s unwavering creativity, even while incarcerated:
“Which artist has ever stayed behind bar and sell gold … record Grammy‑nominated album in a prison? … That’s some extraordinary superstition.”
Reggae Sumfest 2025 has generated significant economic boost for Jamaica, with tourism and revenues soaring around the festival period. The spectacle of Kartel’s crowning amplified interest and excitement, benefiting local vendors and highlighting Dancehall’s cultural impact.
In the words of Kartel himself: “I’ve been the king before I went to prison… But for me, what really is exciting… is to perform for Jamaicans. One Jamaica, one Dancehall.”
As Reggae Sumfest closes its 2025 chapter, one truth stands clear: Dancehall’s throne is once again held—by its most resilient son, Vybz Kartel.
