Dancehall titan Vybz Kartel has been announced as the headliner for the 25th edition of Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival, a milestone celebration set for October 24–26, 2025, under the theme “Pulsating Rhythms.” The announcement comes as Kartel enjoys a powerful resurgence on the international stage, with his music reverberating across North America, Europe and the U.K. as part of a high-profile summer tour that’s reigniting global interest in his catalogue and cultural legacy.
Kartel’s current European run includes appearances at some of the continent’s most prestigious festivals, such as Germany’s SummerJam and the U.K.’s Wireless Festival, where he’s billed alongside global giants like Drake and Burna Boy. Tour stops in France, the Netherlands, Germany, and the U.K. are expected to be met with immense fanfare, with audiences rallying behind the Gaza General in clubs, arenas, and digital platforms alike.
This international momentum was further amplified on June 27 when his 2011 summer anthem Summer Time was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), signifying over 200,000 units sold and streamed in the U.K. Produced by Adde Instrumentals and released via Tads Records, the track remains one of dancehall’s definitive seasonal hits, racking up more than 111 million views on YouTube and enjoying annual revivals as the weather heats up. The certification marks Kartel’s second U.K. Silver plaque, further solidifying his international footprint.
On October 25, Kartel will take center stage on the second night of Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival, performing alongside regional stars like Spice, Romain Virgo, KES The Band, Asa Bantan, Gordon Henderson, and DJ MJ. The three-night event will showcase a fusion of cadence-lypso, bouyon, reggae, and dancehall, celebrating 25 years of Caribbean rhythm, resistance, and cultural pride. With early bird tickets already sold out, Tier 1 passes are now available for $50 XCD or $19 USD, as anticipation for this historic staging continues to build.
Kartel’s inclusion in this landmark festival is more than symbolic—it’s a bold statement about dancehall’s evolving place in global music. Despite legal constraints, his influence continues to cross borders and generations, proving that artistry, legacy, and impact can never be confined. His upcoming performance in Dominica isn’t just a return to the spotlight; it’s a testament to dancehall’s unyielding global pulse, with Kartel at the heart of it all.
