Vybz Kartel Announces First Show in Over Two Decades in Miami

Dancehall kingpin Vybz Kartel is set to perform in Miami, Florida, for the first time in over two decades on May 17 at the Amerant Bank Arena. This follows his first U.S. shows in over 20 years, taking place this weekend at the Barclays Center

Vybz Kartel, the "Comet" is coming to Miami (Photo: Jamar Cleary)

The "Miami Vice Episode" deejay made the announcement on Tuesday via his social media account. The event, powered by Live Nation, will take place at the Amerant Bank Arena, which has a capacity of over 20,000 people. This marks a long-awaited return to Miami for Kartel and his Florida-based fans.

This follows his upcoming shows at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn this weekend, April 11–12, where he will headline the "Reggae Fest – The Return of Vybz Kartel." These performances mark his first U.S. appearance in over 20 years, following the reinstatement of his visa in January. Due to overwhelming demand, the Brooklyn show was expanded to two back-to-back nights.

Since regaining his visa, The Comet has spent most of his time in the U.S., balancing a packed schedule that includes performances across the Caribbean in places like Barbados, Guyana, and more. He is also set to headline SummerJam in Germany this July before making a guest appearance during Drake’s headlining set at Wireless Festival in the UK.

Then, in September, Kartel will host his own Freedom Street Festival in Europe, featuring dancehall heavyweights like Spice, Shenseea, Chronic Law, Jada Kingdom, Skeng, Dexta Daps, Tommy Lee Sparta, and more. Kartel is scheduled to perform on two of the festival’s three main nights.