“Real Mess”: Vybz Kartel Pulls Out of Trinidad Festival Over Promoter Missteps

Vybz Kartel withdrew from the Trinidad festival amid ongoing drama and a payment dispute, leaving fans disappointed just hours before showtime. A local insider called it “a total mess… the promoter had no money, no team, and ignored all advice.”

Vybz Kartel pulls out of Trinidad Show amid drama

Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel withdrew from the One Caribbean Music Festival in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday night, following ongoing issues with the event promoters, including repeated delays and unresolved matters—sparking major drama and headlines across the Caribbean.

In a statement, the promoters outlined the financial details, revealing that Kartel was contracted for a performance fee of USD $1.35 million. Of that amount, $950,000 was reportedly paid directly to the artist and $150,000 to his legal representative. However, organizers claimed the remaining balance could not be paid due to “legal and financial regulations in Trinidad and Tobago” that blocked the final cash disbursement.

Kartel’s withdrawal, which also led to viral sensation Moliy pulling out, left many fans shocked and disappointed just hours before the show was scheduled to begin.

The 49-year-old deejay later broke his silence in a video posted to Instagram, addressing the promoter directly: “Deadline after deadline—you just couldn’t manage a Kartel show, and that’s what you need to tell the people dem,” he said.

Kartel explained that he had advised the promoter several times on how to resolve the issues, but his guidance was ignored. He also issued an apology to the people of Trinidad and his fans, expressing regret over the outcome.

“It’s a total mess. Real mad ting. The promoter didn’t have the money or the expertise, didn’t have a team, and didn’t take any professional advice,” said a cultural insider from Trinidad. The source added that the event had been in limbo since January. “Everybody wants a piece of the cake, everybody wants to be the one to bring Kartel this year. But you have to know how to manage it. The Trinidad government has been giving him a fight for a long time, so maybe this was the best decision.”

According to reports, Kartel had an agreement to be paid over USD $1 million—making him one of the highest-paid Jamaican artists of all time. However, Kartel never compromises on standards; his performances reflect the immense demand to see him live and require production quality on par with the global music elite.

The promoter, identified by locals as "Jacko," had originally scheduled the event for Trinidad’s Carnival weekend. However, it was later postponed, and further complications arose, including strict restrictions from the government.