In a headline-grabbing twist to what was expected to be one of the Caribbean’s most high-profile music events of the year, Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has ordered a formal investigation into the foreign exchange used to pay Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel—an astonishing USD$950,000—despite the artist failing to perform at the One Caribbean Music Festival (OCMF) last weekend.
Kartel, along with Sizzla Kalonji, Malie Donn, Rvssian, and Ghanaian-American singer Moliy, pulled out of the festival just hours before showtime, citing “contractual issues.” The sudden exit has raised red flags not only among disappointed fans but also within T&T’s government, as the country continues to grapple with a foreign currency crunch. “I am intrigued by the amount of foreign exchange being mentioned,” Minister Tancoo told the Trinidad Guardian, adding that the probe is a fact-finding mission, not an accusation. “We will share the results of this inquiry when we get same.”
According to Jacho Entertainment Ltd, promoters of the event, Kartel’s total fee was USD$1.35 million, of which USD$950K went directly to the artist and another USD$150K to his legal team. In a defiant Instagram video, Kartel addressed the promoter: “TJ [my manager] reluctantly give you a bligh. You missed deadline after deadline… You just couldn’t manage a Kartel show.” Despite the drama, the artist said his greatest regret was letting down his Trinidadian fans, who haven’t seen him perform in over a decade.
The controversy has also drawn attention from law enforcement, with Acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin indicating the Financial Intelligence Bureau may step in due to a pending criminal charge against one of the promoters. As investigations unfold, questions surrounding accountability, artist payments, and the management of international entertainment ventures continue to swirl—underscoring the high-stakes nature of modern Caribbean showbiz.
