On the heels of his noteworthy performance in Tortola, BVI, over the weekend, dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel has announced the European edition of Freedom Street, bringing the high-energy celebration to Malta this September. Following the overwhelming success of Freedom Street Jamaica, which was credited for a significant surge in holiday tourism arrivals, the European leg promises an even bigger spectacle with two headline performances, distinct setlists, and an array of events spanning four days.
Set to take place from September 11 to 14, Freedom Street Europe will transform the Mediterranean island into a dancehall paradise with open-air concerts, club takeovers, boat parties, and afterparties. Fans from around the world will have the rare opportunity to witness Kartel deliver back-to-back performances at Malta’s premier venues, alongside other global icons of the genre. “This is going to be the biggest dancehall celebration of 2025,” organizers stated, highlighting the genre’s growing international dominance.
Kartel’s European expansion comes amid an undeniable shift in dancehall’s global recognition. The overwhelming demand for his upcoming Barclays Center concerts, where the first show sold out in hours, is proof of the genre’s increasing mainstream appeal. “To be at Barclays Center with the biggest dancehall artist in the world is epic!” said CJ Milan, CEO of Reggae Fest. “It’s about time dancehall gets the recognition it deserves.” With his Grammy nomination and MOBO Award recognition, Kartel is cementing his legacy beyond dancehall, setting a new standard for the genre’s global reach.
With pre-sale tickets for Freedom Street Europe set to launch on March 21, fans are bracing for what is expected to be another historic event. If Kartel’s recent impact is any indication, the world is finally acknowledging dancehall’s power—and the genre’s future on the global stage is just getting started.
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