Drake Announces Vybz Kartel for Toronto: Dancehall King to Headline Two-Night Canadian Takeover at Scotiabank Arena

Canadian superstar Drake continues to make headlines by announcing that the recently crowned King of Dancehall, Vybz Kartel, will perform in Toronto. The celebration will span two nights, October 26 and 27, at the Scotiabank Arena, giving fans a rare chance to witness the Worl’ Boss live in Drake’s hometown. The announcement, shared via a collaborative Instagram post, saw Drake hype up the performance, saying, “@vybzkartel DI TEACHA LIVE IN TORONTO FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER CHAMPAGNE BDAY CELEBRATIONS 🤯.” Fans have already taken to social media, buzzing with excitement, with one declaring, “Dude didn’t even take a rest before blessing the 6. Thank u”, in reference to Kartel’s relentless tour schedule this year, which included sold-out performances at New York’s Barclays Centre, Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, and London’s O2 Arena. Others joked about budgeting for tickets, while many expressed hope for even more shows across Canada. With Scotiabank Arena holding nearly 20,000 fans, both nights are expected to sell out swiftly.

The Toronto announcement comes on the heels of Kartel’s memorable appearance alongside Drake at Wireless Festival 2025 in London. In a rare display of humility, Drake closed out the festival by elevating global stars, giving Kartel a 90-minute headline set that had the crowd waving Jamaican flags and singing along to hits like “Picture This” and “Romping Shop” with Spice. Drake reflected on the historic moment, telling the crowd, “Bringing the Worl’ Boss home to London after 20 years… making sure that he got time to headline his set… was the top priority.” Since his release from prison in July 2024, Kartel has wasted no time reclaiming his crown, consistently performing for sold-out audiences around the globe. Fans have marvelled at his stamina, and his upcoming Toronto debut promises to be another milestone in a career defined by resilience and influence. With anticipation building for the OVO Fest shows, one thing is clear: the convergence of Drake and Vybz Kartel, two of the most influential voices of their generation, is set to create a historic celebration of dancehall and global music in the heart of Toronto.

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