After over a decade behind bars, dancehall icon Vybz Kartel is wasting no time reclaiming his place at the top. Eight months after regaining his freedom, the self-proclaimed Worl’ Boss has launched a fiery comeback, taking his sound and story global — and now, to one of the Caribbean diaspora’s most vibrant strongholds: Brooklyn, New York.
When asked where he was most excited to perform, Kartel didn’t hesitate — “The whole Caribbean and New York — that’s Jamaica outside of Jamaica!” And on Friday, April 11, he proved just that.
The Return of a King
Kartel’s performance at the sold-out Barclays Center marked his first headlining show in the U.S. in more than 20 years. With a crowd of nearly 19,000 fans — many of them first, second, or even third-generation Caribbean-Americans — the atmosphere was electric. From Flatbush to Canarsie, Grenada to St. Vincent, the energy was pure island pride.
The night opened with a blazing warm-up by DJ Milan, who spun a powerful two-hour set filled with reggae and dancehall anthems. From Buju Banton to Teejay, the crowd danced and waved flags, gearing up for what would become a night for the history books.
Freedom Street to Center Stage
The performance follows Kartel’s jaw-dropping New Year’s Eve comeback show in Kingston, dubbed Freedom Street, which drew one of the largest live music audiences in Jamaica in nearly 50 years. That event marked the official launch of his global tour and featured major acts like Skeng, Popcaan, and his sons Likkle Vybz and Likke Addi.
Since then, Kartel has hit some serious milestones — including a nomination at the 2024 Grammy Awards for his Party With Me EP, an honorary appearance at the U.K.’s MOBO Awards, and an upcoming set at Wireless Festival alongside international heavyweight Drake.
A Performance That Rocked Brooklyn
Taking the stage to his explosive remix of Akon’s “Locked Up,” Kartel declared, “13 years in prison, and mi come out a general!” The crowd roared — and from that moment on, it was pure vibes.
The setlist was a relentless hit parade: “Dumpa Truck,” “Benz Punany,” “It Bend Like Banana,” “You and Him Deh,” “Street Vybz,” “Come Breed Me,” and “Turn Up the F—k.” Kartel, who is currently managing health challenges related to Graves’ disease and a heart condition, cleverly built in breaks by inviting several surprise guests to join him on stage.
Among them were former Portmore Empire members Jah Vinci and Blak Ryno (who made headlines after an unexpected tumble on stage), the ever-fiery Queen of Dancehall Spice, Latin Grammy-nominated producer Rvssian, and hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes — who nearly blew the roof off with his rapid-fire verse from “Look at Me Now.”
Commanding the Crowd Like a True Boss
Despite his long absence, Kartel’s hold over the crowd was undeniable. Fans chanted every lyric — even the deep cuts — with a kind of passion that only comes from a generation raised on his music. His name may not dominate U.S. charts, but his influence? Unmatched.
He closed the night with back-to-back crowd favorites: “Summertime,” “Clarks,” “Fever,” and “Brooklyn Anthem,” sending the borough into a frenzy and sealing what will surely go down as one of the most unforgettable live shows in recent Caribbean-American memory.
More Than Just a Show — It Was a Moment
Vybz Kartel’s return isn’t just about music — it’s about resilience, cultural pride, and the undying bond between the Caribbean and its diaspora. His comeback has lit a fire in fans across the globe, and if Brooklyn was any indication, the world isn’t just ready for Kartel — they’ve been waiting.
