TORONTO – When Drake was a young person, he’d stand outdoors Toronto’s long-gone Escape Nightclub handing out flyers simply to get inside and lose himself in Vybz Kartel’s music. On Sunday night time, he got here full circle, recalling that reminiscence on stage as he welcomed the dancehall star for his first-ever Canadian live performance at Scotiabank Enviornment.
Kartel, dressed head to toe in Blue Jays gear, kicked off night time one among three sold-out Toronto exhibits on the venue, turning into the primary Jamaican artist to attain the milestone.
“Have a look at all these folks proper right here, how a lot time we’ve spent with this man’s music proper right here,” Drake instructed a frenzied crowd.
Moments earlier, the Toronto rapper made a shock look, performing a string of hits — together with 2016’s “Controlla” and this yr’s “Nokia” — from a balcony within the area’s decrease degree.
“We’ve been ready to see you our complete [expletive] lives. Welcome residence — we’re so blissful to have you ever,” Drake instructed Kartel earlier than asking permission to play some songs.
The Toronto exhibits, offered by Drake’s firm OVO, have been long-awaited by Canadian followers. Born Adidja Palmer, Vybz Kartel is one among dancehall’s most influential — and controversial — figures. He rose to prominence within the early 2000s with hits mixing dancehall and hip-hop, and continued releasing music even after his 2014 homicide conviction and life sentence. A number of albums, together with 2016’s Billboard-charting “King of the Dancehall,” had been recorded covertly from jail.
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Kartel’s conviction was overturned in March 2024 because of juror misconduct, and he was launched final yr. Since then, the 49-year-old has earned a Grammy nomination, launched into a world tour and launched a gradual stream of latest music.
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Drake has lengthy credited Kartel as one among his largest influences, referencing him in interviews and on social media. Drake invited Kartel to hitch him on stage at London’s Wi-fi Pageant over the summer season, and their collaboration continued on Canadian soil Sunday.
The group thundered when Kartel took the stage to his remix of Akon’s 2004 hit “Locked Up,” wielding a baseball bat and carrying a powder-blue Blue Jays jersey with “Worl’ Boss” — one among his nicknames — stitched on the again.
“Canada, we’re right here!” he declared. “Yo, large up Blue Jays.”
Regardless of pushing 50 and battling Graves’ illness, Kartel’s power was turned to 11 for all the present. Pumping his knees and bounding down the stage like a one-man parade, he unleashed hits together with “Romping Store,” “It Bend Like Banana” and “Go Go Wine,” the viewers gyrating and belting alongside to each phrase.
At one level, Kartel grew to become emotional whereas recounting touchdown in Toronto earlier within the day.
“I inform you, tears got here to my eyes as a result of I’ve by no means been right here earlier than and I do know the folks need to see me,” he shared.
“I actually cried. Me, a grown-ass man. I stated God is the best.”
A number of attendees stated they by no means thought they’d see the day Kartel carried out in Canada.
Daniella Mcleary stated she’s been listening to the dancehall star since “earlier than I used to be sufficiently old to be listening to him,” and scrambled to get tickets when the exhibits had been introduced.
“I believe everybody that’s Caribbean was attempting to get right here at the moment. Toronto has such a giant Caribbean neighborhood, particularly Jamaican, so we’re all going to return collectively and vibe,” she says.
“He might have bought out the Rogers Centre, too, simply.”
Brittney Sinclair, who was born in Jamaica, says Kartel is embedded in Caribbean tradition.
“I view him as a nationwide hero, and I believe it’s a miracle he’s right here at the moment,” she says, noting that it’s all of the extra outstanding given his time behind bars.
Sharda Persaud says she’s been ready for Kartel to play Canada for so long as she will bear in mind.
“I really feel like each reminiscence in highschool goes again to a Kartel track,” she says.
“His music additionally immediately transports me to Caribana. It’s every part.”
Sherry Singh credit “Romping Store” for bringing her and her accomplice collectively.
“It was taking part in at a membership and it led to some good loving,” she laughs. “15 years later, we’re nonetheless grinding to it.”
Nonetheless, she believes dancehall has been neglected by the Canadian mainstream, regardless of its significance to the Caribbean neighborhood.
“To see Vybz right here, on our residence turf, means lots,” she says.
“This can be a good first step, however we have to see extra.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Oct. 27, 2025
© 2025 The Canadian Press
