London, UK — In a historic, high-energy celebration of music, culture, and legacy, Vybz Kartel made a surprise appearance alongside Drake during the Toronto rapper’s headlining set at the 2025 Wireless Festival, held at Finsbury Park over the weekend. The appearance comes just days before Kartel’s official coronation as King of the Dancehall, a symbolic crowning by current Queen Spice set to take place at Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest this Friday.
The 20th anniversary edition of Wireless Festival was a spectacle for the ages. Drake, who headlined all three nights, curated unique, star-studded performances each evening, sharing the stage with a dynamic roster including Giveon, Bryson Tiller, PartyNextDoor, Mario, Vanessa Carlton, 21 Savage, Sexyy Red, Yeat, Dave, Rema, and a show-stopping appearance by Ms. Lauryn Hill, who performed Ready or Not and later joined Burna Boy for his long-awaited Wireless debut.
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Yet, it was the unannounced set with Vybz Kartel that sent shockwaves through the crowd and social media. Appearing on stage to a massive screen projection reading “Welcome Home OVO Worl’ Boss Vibes on Vybz,” Kartel was met with thunderous applause as fans erupted in celebration of his return to global stages after a 13-year incarceration.
Drake introduced Kartel as “The World Boss,” echoing the reverence he’s long expressed for the dancehall icon’s influence on his own musical journey. The two performed Hotline Bling and Kartel’s dancehall classic Fever, with the crowd chanting every lyric in unison. They were later joined by Popcaan for a fiery rendition of Clarks, and by Spice, who reunited with Kartel on Conjugal Visit after performing her own electrifying solo set, featuring fan favorites like Sheet and So Mi Like It.
“This is a big [expletive] ting,” Spice declared, summing up the energy that pulsed through the park as Caribbean culture took center stage.
Also on the bill were Masicka, Stefflon Don, and Ghanaian-American rising star Moliy, who delivered a high-octane set alongside Stefflon Don and Kartel. The show closed with Drake returning to the stage flanked by Kartel, Popcaan, Central Cee, and emcee Nuffy, delivering a heartfelt thank you to fans:
“On behalf of all of us, I want to let you know — you’ve changed our lives immensely… London, you are a one of one place. I will love you for the rest of my life. Thank you for three of the best days of my life.”
Kartel’s performance was his first major UK appearance since his release from prison last year, when his murder conviction was overturned by Jamaica’s Court of Appeal. Since then, he’s wasted no time reclaiming his throne — staging the Freedom Street concert in December and earning his first Grammy nomination earlier this year for Party With Me, an album recorded while behind bars. Though the award ultimately went to Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired by the Film (Deluxe), Kartel’s appearance at the Grammy Awards, alongside fiancée Sidem Öztürk, cemented his return to the global stage.
His current world tour has seen sold-out venues across North America and Europe, with stops that have included Paris, Toronto, and Berlin. But all eyes now turn to Montego Bay, where Reggae Sumfest will see the Queen crown the King.
“We will be flipping the script. This time, the queen will crown the king,” said Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of DownSound Entertainment, the producers of Reggae Sumfest. “It will be a special moment for dancehall.”
“Vybz Kartel is a new man,” Bogdanovich added. “He’s transcended into the hip hop world. They love him wherever he goes. He’s selling out big stadiums in the U.S. and Europe.”
With a renewed purpose and an unshaken legacy, Vybz Kartel’s reemergence is redefining the dancehall narrative on the world stage — and this coronation is only the beginning.
