Kartel Delivers Historic Return at Barclays Center, Brings Out His Mother, Stars, and Tears
- Akeeile Harris
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Dancehall icon Vybz Kartel wrapped the first of two sold-out nights at Reggae Fest inside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, drawing major industry names like Cardi B, Stefflon Don, Buju Banton and Spice, among many others
Vybz Kartel rocked an all-white ensemble for his first night at the Barclays Center
Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel wrapped the first of two sold-out nights at Reggae Fest inside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center—marking his first performance in over 20 years in the Big Apple.
Dressed in an fresh fit, Kartel captivated a crowd of over 20,000 fans (despite the venue’s official capacity of 17,732) with a powerhouse set blending timeless anthems like “Clarks” and “Fever.” The most emotional moments came when he performed his iconic track “Mama,” bringing his mother, Theresa Palmer, on stage, and again during his recent hit “God Is The Greatest”—both times visibly moved to tears.
A king’s chair was brought to the stage in homage to the dancehall king himself. Kartel even brought out Spice during his set, and the two lit up the stage with their iconic duet “Romping Shop,” along with other joint hits. Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes also made a surprise appearance with a powerful set of his own.
Later in the night, Kartel changed into a Brooklyn Nets jersey—paying tribute to the home team that plays at the very same venue—and kicked off that segment with his anthem “Brooklyn Anthem.”
Former Gaza members Jah Vinci and Blak Ryno were also in attendance, making a long-awaited reunion and surprising fans with cameo performances on stage.
The night attracted major names from across the music industry, including Cardi B, who shared videos of herself dancing during the show. British-Jamaican rapper Stefflon Don, Spice, Chronic Law, Dexta Daps, Elephant Man, and D’Yani were among the notable guests, while top producers like Rvssian, Notnice, and Jiggy D were also spotted in the crowd.
he reunion with Ryno and Jah Vinci made the night even more symbolic, marking their first public moment together since Kartel’s release.
