Vybz Kartel Turns 50: A Look Back at 2025 — A Year That Rewrote Dancehall History

Dancehall torchbearer Vybz Kartel turns 50 today, January 7, 2026, and few milestones in Caribbean pop culture feel as seismic. As he prepares for his second consecutive appearance at the Grammy Awards next month, the past year has cemented what fans and industry insiders have long argued: 2025 was not just a comeback year for Kartel — it was a cultural takeover. From global stages to Billboard charts, the self-styled Worl’ Boss dominated headlines, conversations and playlists, prompting pundits to crown him the most impactful dancehall artiste of the year.

The momentum began early. Throughout the first half of 2025, Kartel mounted a global comeback run, delivering sold-out concerts across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and the Caribbean, reasserting his dominance on the international live circuit. His historic return to Summerjam in Germany — his first appearance at the festival in over two decades — stood as a symbolic moment for European reggae audiences. Back home, he commanded major regional platforms, including a headline slot at the St. Kitts Music Festival, while expanding his global catalogue through high-profile collaborations with Akon, Busta Rhymes and other international stars, broadening his cross-genre appeal beyond traditional dancehall boundaries.

Summer brought defining pop-culture moments. Kartel’s surprise appearances alongside Drake at Wireless Festival in the UK and later at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena sent social media into overdrive, marking two rare crossover events that placed dancehall firmly at the centre of global youth culture. In July, he was ceremonially crowned “King of the Dancehall” at Reggae Sumfest, a coronation many viewed as long overdue on Jamaica’s biggest music stage. That same period also saw his classic hit Summertime earn a second UK Silver certification, underscoring the enduring commercial power of his catalogue.

The latter half of the year elevated Kartel into new territory. October delivered a career-defining breakthrough as PBT, his collaboration with Travis Scott and South African star Tyla, became his first-ever Billboard chart entry, peaking in the Top 5 of the Rhythmic Airplay Chart. The track featured on Jackboys 2, which ranked No. 7 among the biggest U.S. album debuts of 2025. November followed with a second consecutive Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album, reinforcing his critical relevance, while December saw Billboard honour him among its “Most Iconic Images” of 2025. By year’s end, Kartel had reportedly become the highest-paid dancehall artiste in history — commanding over US$1 million for select performances — and expanded his influence into fashion through a limited-edition partnership with luxury streetwear brand GUAPI. At 50, Vybz Kartel isn’t slowing down; he’s redefining what longevity, relevance and power look like in dancehall’s modern era.