Vybz Kartel Makes Triumphant Return to the Stage After 13 Years

Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel celebrated his return to the stage with a sold-out New Year’s Eve performance, his first live appearance in over a decade. The Jamaican artist headlined the Freedom Street event at Kingston’s National Stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000, and was joined by a star-studded lineup including Busta Rhymes, Popcaan, Spice, and Shatta Wale.

The December 31st concert marked Kartel’s first performance in 13 years, following his release from prison in July 2024. He had served over a decade after being convicted of murder in the 2011 death of Clive Williams. The trial was one of the longest in Jamaican history.

Speaking to The New York Times prior to the concert, Kartel acknowledged the significance of his return, noting that “a whole generation of people have never seen Vybz Kartel perform.”

Kartel’s conviction was overturned last summer due to allegations of jury misconduct. The Jamaican Court of Appeals opted not to retry the case, paving the way for his return to the music scene.