Rick Ross has ignited fresh global conversation around dancehall’s place on the biggest stage in sport, publicly naming Vybz Kartel as his dream headliner for the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show. Appearing on the Late Run Podcast, the Miami rap mogul made the bold declaration while discussing the historic 2026 staging, instantly reframing debates about which artistes deserve to lead what is poised to be one of the most-watched musical moments in history. With the final set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, his endorsement arrives as Kartel’s presence on charts and digital platforms continues to intensify.
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show for the first time, curated by Chris Martin in collaboration with Global Citizen. The initiative forms part of a wider push to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, blending entertainment with global impact. During the podcast, the hosts echoed Ross’s sentiment, calling the idea “fire” as the rapper playfully tapped into Jamaican patois, highlighting the cultural weight of the genre.
Meanwhile, Kartel’s current momentum strengthens the case. His latest collaboration with Shenseea, Talk To Me Nuh, last week stormed to No.1 on the U.S. iTunes Reggae Songs Chart within hours of release, while amassing hundreds of thousands of YouTube views and entering Jamaica’s Trending chart. The track follows the success of Panic, which has already surpassed 4.3 million views in three weeks, underlining the duo’s growing synergy and Kartel’s streaming power.
Beyond collaborations, the dancehall icon also occupied five spots within Jamaica’s YouTube Top 30 Trending Music Chart, including Disgrace, Onslaught, and SYM. The surge reflects a sustained demand for his catalogue and a widening global reach. As anticipation builds for the World Cup’s halftime debut, Ross’s co-sign may prove to be more than just talk, positioning dancehall for a potential breakthrough on football’s grandest stage.
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