Nearly six months after being released from prison following the overturning of his murder conviction, Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel is set to make a triumphant return to the stage.
The artist, who spent 13 years behind bars before his acquittal earlier this year, will perform a massive concert on New Year’s Eve at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. The venue, which holds around 35,000 people, will host what Kartel describes as a show-stopping event...
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“For an entire generation, this will be their first time seeing Vybz Kartel perform,” the 48-year-old artist told The New York Times. Speaking to The Gleaner, he added, “It’s giving world-class energy, like a Super Bowl halftime show 2.0. With the lighting, sound, lasers, and surprises, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.”
Known for collaborations with stars like Eminem and Rihanna, Kartel has remained a prominent figure in the music world, even while behind bars. His album Party with Me, released in May, earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
This marks Kartel’s first performance since his release in July. In 2014, he was convicted of the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, allegedly over missing guns, and was sentenced to life in prison. Williams’ body was never recovered.
In March, Kartel’s conviction was overturned by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London due to alleged juror misconduct. His lawyers argued that Kartel faced inhumane conditions in prison, citing his struggle with Graves’ disease.
In July, the Jamaican appeals court confirmed there would be no retrial, officially clearing the way for Kartel’s return to music.
