Vybz Kartel Crowned King Of Dancehall At Reggae Sumfest

Vybz Kartel was officially crowned ‘King of Dancehall’ in a historic and emotional ceremony during Night One of Reggae Sumfest 2025 at Catherine Hall early Saturday morning.

Returning to the Jamaican stage for the first time since his December Freedom Street concert — and his first Sumfest performance since 2011 — Kartel’s coronation came before a roaring, sold-out crowd. The event marked another milestone in his career, just a year after his release from prison and the overturning of his 2014 murder conviction.

Kartel’s one-hour set opened fittingly with MoBay Anthem, paying tribute to Montego Bay, before rolling into a hit-packed performance that included My Scheme, Send Fi Mi Army, Love Dem, and closed on the triumphant note of God Is the Greatest.

Dressed in a black, green, and gold Jamaica football jersey, sunglasses, and gleaming jewelry, Kartel took his place on a white-and-gold throne as fellow star Spice placed a red velvet, jewel-encrusted crown on his head.

Kartel was given the choice of two crowns, each presented on a pillow, before addressing his fans with gratitude. “It’s a joy fi sit down yah suh inna mi owna country and the people a seh, ‘Worl’ Boss, yuh finally officially deserve it. Big up yuhself,” he said.

He also took the time to acknowledge the genre’s pioneers: “People, me affi big up Bounty Killa. If a never fi him, me wouldn’t deh yah. And me affi big up you the fans, cause you put me here. Big up Buju Banton, big up Ninja Man,” he added.

Kartel even nodded to his predecessor, Beenie Man — who was given the symbolic King of Dancehall title at Sumfest in 2009 — saying, “Big up to Beenie Man, the former king.”

The crowning continues Sumfest’s tradition of honoring dancehall royalty, which has previously seen Lady Saw crowned Queen in 2012, and Spice taking the matriarchal honor in 2022.

For Kartel, the coronation was, in his own words, “just a formality.”

“I’ve been the king before I went to prison, and the record is there to show,” he said in a pre-show interview. “That’s good and fine, but for me, what really is exciting for me is to perform for Jamaicans. One Jamaica, one dancehall. Never forget.”

Since regaining his freedom, Kartel has dominated stages across North America and Europe, with sold-out shows at Kingston’s National Stadium, New York’s Barclays Center, Miami, and London — where he appeared alongside Drake at the Wireless Festival.

The Worl’ Boss now heads to Reggae Fest Baltimore on July 26 and Reggae Fest Massive at the Barclays Center on August 29.