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Dancehall kings Vybz Kartel and Mavado are set to headline concerts this year with a set made immortal by the 2008 Sting clash, which culminated an era of hardcore dancehall hits between the two stars.
Already confirmed are two sold-out shows in Malta this September. Mavado returned to Jamaica last year after more than a decade away and has yet to perform on the island. There has not yet been an announcement on whether he will headline Reggae Sumfest 2026 this July.
The deejay, born David Brooks, was set to headline Reggae Fest last December, but the event was cancelled at the last minute following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October.
Mavado’s manager Julian Jones Grifiths hinted at the headliners for Reggae Sumfest in a tweet saying, “…Sumfest won’t be in Mobay and will be headlined by 2 Artists who broke over 20 years ago…”
Vybz Kartel, on the other hand, headlined Reggae Sumfest last year, where he was crowned King of the Dancehall in front of a sold-out crowd.
Reggae Sumfest could serve as the launchpad for a global tour featuring the two, as they reignite one of the genre’s most legendary rivalries: Gaza vs. Gully.
Reggae Sumfest director Robert Livingston did not confirm whether they will be on this year’s show, but he shared his thoughts on the buzz surrounding Vybz Kartel and Mavado potentially touring together.
“Kartel is a guy who is very creative. He’s always trying to advance himself in terms of what he gives to the audience.”
He believes the pairing would benefit the entire industry.
“Mavado and Kartel together—people love to see that because they created a culture and a movement.”
Beyond entertainment, Livingston sees it as a powerful business move.
“Big artists know they can join together and go out there and make money together without egos.”
He added that the tour will likely extend worldwide.
“Anywhere in the world they can touch. Toronto, Montreal, London, New York—it’s a given.”
But he expects surprises as well.
“They’re going to surprise people in other cities.”
Billed as “18 years in the making,” the Malta event will feature two nights of performances by Vybz Kartel and Mavado.
Taking place September 10–13, 2026, in Malta, the four-day festival culminates in back-to-back showdown nights at the Ta’ Qali Concert Area:
• Saturday — Round One: Gaza vs. Gully
• Sunday — Round Two: Gaza vs. Gully
Both nights will feature Kartel and Mavado headlining, with additional artists still to be announced.
Vybz Kartel rose to prominence in the early 2000s with sharp lyricism never before seen in dancehall. Then in 2005, Mavado emerged with a breakthrough hit “Dreaming(Gansta For Life)” that introduced a melodic, emotionally charged style and interpolating Tupac.
The feud between the two started after Kartel left Bounty Killer’s Alliance in 2006 and a lyrical warfare escalated into intense fan division and, at times, real-world street violence inclining school children who picked sides. Authorities intervened, leading to a public peace declaration in 2007. The rivalry resurfaced and peaked at Sting 2008 before both artists again called for peace in 2009 at Champions In Action and followed with a press conference at the Office Of The Prime Minister.
Despite official truces, the conflict lingered with lyrical jabs thrown here and there at each other over the years splitting the dancehall fan base into two ideological camps: Gaza (Kartel) and Gully (Mavado). Those camps are set to be under one roof at several concerts all year.
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