Kartel & Mavado Take Historic Gaza vs Gully Showdown to The O2 Arena

More than two decades after their legendary rivalry shaped a generation of dancehall, Kartel and Mavado brought Gaza vs Gully overseas for the first time, drawing approximately 20,000 fans to The O2

Mavado and Vybz Kartel make history at the O2 Arena (Photo: Stony Johnson)

More than 20 years after their rivalry helped define a generation of dancehall, Jamaican giants Vybz Kartel and Mavado made history once again, taking their iconic Gaza vs Gully showdown overseas for the first time and packing The O2 Arena in London.

The longtime rivals reunited on stage for another chapter in their lasting impact on the genre, delivering more than 90 minutes of music and trading hit after hit in front of approximately 20,000 fans inside the iconic venue.

Vybz Kartel and DJ Khaled during the set (Photo: Stony Johnson)

Kartel & Mavado create history for dancehall at the O2 Arena (Photo: Stony Johnson)

Making their entrance to the militant sounds of the iconic Anger Management Riddim, Kartel and Mavado dug deep into their catalogues, delivering classics including “Real McKoy,” “Broad Daylight,” “So Special,” “Gangsta for Life,” “Nuh Fraid,” “Set Fi Mi Army,” “Real Badman” and “Nuh Bleach Wid Cream.”

The dancehall giants also welcomed UK rappers Digga D and Chip, along with acclaimed producer DJ Khaled, as special guests. Another highlight saw the pair perform their recent collaboration “Hype Life,” taken from Kartel’s latest album, God and Time.

For Kartel, the historic Gaza vs Gully staging marks another major milestone at The O2, following his back-to-back sold-out shows at the London arena last year. Both dancehall stars are now set to continue their reunion in Malta for Freedom Street Europe this coming weekend.