Promoter Steve Parillon speaks on Vybz Kartel’s first concert since Freedom Street and first of 2025, live-streamed history in BVI, Coda collaboration, sold-out hotels and other surprises
Vybz Kartel, set to make history in the British Virgin Islands (Photo: Jamar Cleary)
Steve Parillon of YOLO Promotions, the promoter behind Vybz Kartel’s highly anticipated first official concert of 2025, is excited about the event. The dancehall icon is set to headline the Black On Black event on Saturday evening, March 15, in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
The event will also feature dancehall stars Skillibeng and Jah Vinci and will be hosted by MC Nuffy, who previously hosted the historic Freedom Street concert on New Year's Eve in Jamaica.
"After the cancellation of his Trinidad show, he became his first show in 2025, and the first outside of Jamaica in over 13 years so we're really excited," said Parillon.
Business owners across the island are eagerly anticipating the event, with many local accommodations already fully booked in preparation for the concert, highlighting its significant economic impact on the small island.
"We not only have fans from across the Caribbean, but all over the globe—passengers from California, Arizona, New York, Maryland, D.C., down to Texas, Florida, Georgia, Bahamas, Puerto Rico—we have persons from all over," he shared. "All the hotels and Airbnbs are fully booked in Tortola, so right now, we're encouraging people to take boats from the nearby islands of the BVI so they can come to the show."
Discussing the process of organizing an international show of this magnitude, Parillon elaborated, "Preparing for a show like this is something we started months ago—actually from September last year. Getting all of the logistics in place, securing the venue, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. You have to be ready for many visitors and, of course, for an artist of this caliber," he explained.
"It takes a lot, but we have a very large team handling different sections—VIP management, licensing, and all the necessary arrangements. I think we have a strong team, and we are prepared for this," he echoed.
The event will mark the first-ever live-streamed Pay-Per-View event in BVI history, brought to life through a collaboration with Coda Network. "That was the idea from the beginning. We didn’t know what to expect, and then when our show became the first show, I reached out to Kartel’s team and told them, ‘We should do the streaming,’ and they agreed, so we went ahead," Parillon explained.
"It's going to be the first global Pay-Per-View event in the history of the BVI. We not only have Vybz Kartel, but we also have two international artists—Jah Vinci and Skillibeng," the promoter stated.
"All the hotels and Airbnbs are fully booked in Tortola, so right now, we're encouraging people to take boats from the nearby islands of the BVI so they can come to the show. it's going to be the first global Pay-Per-View event in the history of the BVI".
Speaking on the collaboration, Parillon added, "Coda is very professional. Chow is a very professional individual, and she is very easy to work with. We’re very excited to showcase the beauty of our island. They will be featuring some videos of the BVI, so this is a big move for us."
As the event draws closer, Parillon shared the team’s expectations. "We’re expecting a high-energy show from start to finish, with top artists from the Virgin Islands, along with Kartel, Skillibeng, and Jah Vinci. Plus, there are a few surprise artists I can’t mention just yet, but they’ll be making appearances on stage. Trust me, this is something you don’t want to miss—it’s worth every penny," he said.
He also took a moment to acknowledge the efforts behind the production. "I want to give a big shoutout to my entire team and everyone working to make this event happen, as well as the government of the Virgin Islands for believing in this vision. Now, we’re just putting the final pieces together for what will be an incredible showcase," Parillon noted.
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