September Reign: Vybz Kartel Writes His Own Rules from London to Malta

Vybz Kartel continues to set his own standards this year. As time flies, it’s worth reflecting on his historic arena run in the UK, the equally successful Freedom Street Festival in Malta, and his impeccable impact throughout September - making him once again Kaboom’s Artist of the Month

Vybz Kartel writes his own rules

While September may not have been a significant month across the dancehall and reggae scene, however, for one artist, Vybz Kartel, it added yet another impeccable milestone to his blockbuster Worl’ Boss Tour.

We’re already in October, and while anticipation builds for Vybz Kartel’s first-ever shows in Canada, September proved to be another historic chapter in his record-breaking Worl’ Boss Tour.

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The dancehall icon shell down two back-to-back sold out concerts at London’s iconic O2 Arena, marking a monumental milestone as the first dancehall artist to headline and sell out the venue—not once, but twice. The demand was unprecedented, with over 40,000 UK fans flooding the arena to witness the Worl’ Boss in his grand return year.

Kartel then went on to lock down the UK’s largest indoor venue, Co-Op Live in Manchester, attracting over 23,000 fans before concluding another massive show at Birmingham’s BP Pulse Live Arena.

In between these arena shellings, the dancehall powerhouse and his team staged their first flagship festival, Freedom Street, in Malta - named after his historic first post-prison concert. The four-night festival featured an all-star lineup including Shenseea, Dexta Daps, Skeng, Spice, Shaneil Muir, Jada Kingdom and more, attracting over 30,000 fans from across the globe to the Mediterranean island. With two nights headlined by Kartel himself, the team has already expressed their intention to make it an annual celebration.

He also added fiery versions of Skillibeng’s “New Gears” and Shatta Wale’s “Street Crown,” both of which skyrocketed on the charts. The year is yet to end, but it’s already clear, 2025 belongs to the Worl’ Boss, earning him another Artist of the Month pick.