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More than 20 years into his career, Vybz Kartel did not merely return to relevance — he redefined what a modern dancehall peak looks like. From a historic New Year’s comeback concert in Kingston to a globe-spanning tour that touched North America, Europe, and the Caribbean, Kartel authored a year no Jamaican artist — past or present — came close to matching.
Vybz Kartel is World Music Views’ 2025 Artist of the Year.
The January Moment That Changed Everything
Every defining year has a spark. Kartel’s came in January, on Freedom Street in Kingston, when he staged his first major concert since regaining his freedom in July 2024. It wasn’t simply a comeback show — it was a cultural reset.
The performance recalibrated dancehall itself. The energy in Kingston felt global, broadcast instantly across social media, streaming platforms, and newsrooms worldwide.
Kartel wasn’t easing back in, he was reclaiming space and within weeks, the momentum accelerated. Kartel secured his U.S. work visa, moved operations to Florida, and formally established Adijaheim Records stateside — positioning himself not just as an artist, but as an executive architect of his next era. All of this unfolded against another unprecedented backdrop: Kartel had just become a first-time Grammy nominee for Party With Me, an album recorded entirely while incarcerated — a first for any Jamaican artist. Even Billboard had him as a leading contender. Ultimately he didn’t win the trophy, but he didn’t need to. When Kartel walked the red carpet in Los Angeles, the media surge told its own story.
Dancehall had arrived at the conversation’s center and Kartel’s MOBO Impact Award was confirmation of his reach.
On The Breakfast Club, Kartel explained: Florida offered the logistical freedom to fly anywhere in the world. The World Boss was thinking globally again — and building a rapport with hardline US media like Charlamagne The God.
The message was unmistakable: Kartel was back, and the genre was once again moving at his speed.
World Boss on the World Stage: The Worl’ Boss Tour
What followed separated Kartel from every other dancehall act in 2025.
In April, he headlined two sold-out nights at Barclays Center — an unprecedented achievement for a dancehall artist. Together, the shows grossed $8.4 million, the highest concert gross in dancehall history and outperforming the highest selling Reggae Act Stick Figure.
Then came the run:
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Florida
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Atlanta
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Atlantic City, New Jersey
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Baltimore
He covered Caribbean spot dates in the Bahamas, Dominica, Guyana, and beyond, before embarking on a European arena run never before seen in dancehall.
He headlined Wireless Festival alongside Drake, delivered back-to-back shows at London’s O2 Arena, and trekked solo across Amsterdam, Germany, and France. After eight months on the road, Kartel returned to Jamaica to collect his crown at Reggae Sumfest, officially sealing his reign as King of the Dancehall.
And still, the year wasn’t done.
In August, Kartel returned to Barclays Center, becoming the first — and only — dancehall act to headline the venue three times, let alone in a single year. He then crossed another boundary: three headlining shows at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, marking his first-ever performances in Canada.
At every stop, the message was the same: dancehall could fill arenas — if Kartel was leading the charge.
Charts
In 2025, Kartel also stood alone on the charts.
He became the only dancehall artist to place a project released this year on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart with:
Viking (Vybz Is King) 10th Anniversary chart debut at No 10 in January.
The year also saw Kartel cross genre lines seamlessly. He entered the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart on DJ Khaled’s You Remind Me, featuring Bounty Killer and Buju Banton, and later joined Travis Scott and Tyla on PBT — further proof of his global relevance.
Streaming, Culture, and Command
Beyond touring and charts, Kartel’s presence saturated the culture in 2025.
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Continued YouTube dominance in Jamaica
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A second UK Silver Certification for Summertime, surpassing 200,000 units, according to the BPI
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Viral concert moments, festival clips, and cross-generational engagement online
While others chased singles, Kartel controlled the ecosystem. His music soundtracked parties, street culture, festivals, and international playlists at the same time — a balance few artists ever achieve, and even fewer sustain.
Why No Other Dancehall Artist Came Close
In 2025:
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No other dancehall act matched his global touring scale
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No other Jamaican artist released a Billboard-charting reggae album
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No one else commanded arenas, festivals, and digital charts simultaneously
This wasn’t competition. It was separation.
English (US) ·