Vybz Kartel Makes History in Brooklyn

It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come from one of Vybz Kartel’s earliest shows in Brooklyn. Dig deep enough online and you’ll find footage from February 15, 2005 — Kartel, lean and self-assured, commanding the stage at a venue called The Rock. Dressed in a crisp white suit with matching loafers and a pastel pink shirt, he oozed swagger and raw energy. One of the night’s most electric moments came during his remix of Akon’s “Locked Up,” a performance dripping with sweat and foreshadowing the legal battles that would define his future.

Back then, Kartel was just a few years into his career, still sharpening his sound and persona. Tracks like “Gun Clown” and “Most High” transformed the chaos of Portmore’s streets into bold, unapologetic dancehall anthems. They were provocative — even by dancehall’s standards — and quickly drew the ire of Jamaican authorities. But controversy only fueled his rise. His debut album, Up 2 Di Time (2003), fused dancehall with hip-hop swagger, from fashion to flow, earning him crossover appeal and cementing his title as the King of Dancehall.

When I ask if he remembers that early Brooklyn show, Kartel answers from a luxurious New York hotel room, surrounded by years of accolades and evolution. “No,” he admits with a smile. “That’s how long ago it was.” Still, his return to Brooklyn — once unimaginable — now feels like destiny fulfilled.

In 2011, a minor marijuana arrest spiraled into a murder charge for businessman Barrington Burton. Though he was acquitted of that case, Kartel was later convicted in the 2011 killing of Clive “Lizard” Williams, and sentenced to life in prison in 2014. But even behind bars, Worl’ Boss refused to fade. From his cell, he released a stream of music — including 2016’s King of the Dancehall, which reached #2 on the Billboard Reggae charts. Many tracks were pre-recorded, but others were created from scratch using an iPad and a makeshift studio built with pillows and mattresses.

Despite worsening health — including a 2016 diagnosis of Graves’ disease — Kartel remained a force. Then, in July 2024, his conviction was overturned due to juror misconduct. After more than a decade, he walked free into a changed world and a nation ready to celebrate him. “I wasn’t even focused on happy memories,” he reflects. “We were just fighting to be out, and now we’re out.”

Live Review: Vybz Kartel Reclaims the Crown in Brooklyn
Photos by Tizzy Tokyo

Since his release, Kartel has been on a triumphant run — making Grammy appearances, performing sold-out shows, and proposing (again) to his fiancée Sidem Öztürk with a proper ring. He’s also endured personal losses, like laying his grandmother to rest earlier this year. “You can’t stop pain,” he says. “But you can choose how you respond to it. That’s where my newfound appreciation for family and time comes from.”

Still, his sense of humor remains intact. His first day of freedom? “A limo took me to my mother’s house,” he says with a grin. “I had dinner with my mom, dad, and sons. Then I went home with Sidem and… had sex. Several times.”

Now, Kartel is set to make history again: two sold-out nights at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center — the first dancehall artist ever to do so. “Brooklyn, don’t wear no coat! We’re bringing the flames. It’s gonna be Miami,” he laughs. Presented by Reggae Fest, the shows are more than performances — they’re declarations. Kartel is back, and ready to reclaim his crown.

The night of the first show is pure chaos in the best way. Atlantic Avenue buzzes with anticipation, as fans from across the diaspora flood the arena. Dancehall blares from car speakers, and the scent of hair products and excitement fills the air.

Inside, DJ Milan warms up the crowd with classics and current hits — Popcaan’s “Family,” Bryson Messia’s “Choppa” — until the place is packed beyond recognition. As Kartel takes the stage to his “Locked Up” remix, the energy explodes. “13 years inna prison, and mi come out a general!” he roars, shedding his white fur coat to thunderous applause.

Now nearing 50 and still battling illness, Kartel’s performance is electric. He marches across the stage with military precision, unleashing bangers like “Dumpa Truck” and “It Bend Like Banana.” Tracks are rewound multiple times at the crowd’s request, lyrics shouted word-for-word.

He’s joined by a parade of special guests: Busta Rhymes brings rapid-fire bars, Rvssian plays hype man and hitmaker, and longtime collaborators Jah Vinci and Black Ryno join in for mini-sets. Ryno even trips mid-performance, caught in the adrenaline rush of being back on stage with the Worl’ Boss.

Then, the Queen herself appears — Spice. The two share a throne (literally), taking turns dancing and performing sultry anthems like “Romping Shop” and “Conjugal Visit.” “It’s giving children,” Kartel jokes after a particularly steamy moment, as the crowd erupts with laughter.

The most emotional moment comes near the end. Kartel performs “God Is the Greatest” and nearly breaks down mid-song, surrounded by his team and artists offering comfort as the audience cheers him on. It’s a rare, vulnerable glimpse of a man who’s spent years fighting to be seen and heard again.

That night at Barclays wasn’t just a concert. It was a homecoming, a rebirth, and a cultural milestone. Dancehall has never had a stage this big in New York, and for Kartel — a genre-defining pioneer — to stand at its center, after everything, was nothing short of iconic.

Whatever comes next for the Worl’ Boss, one thing is clear: he’s not done blazing trails. He’s just getting started.

-AMG Records