Vybz Kartel Becomes First Dancehall Artist to Headline and Sell Out O2 Arena

Dancehall megastar, Vybz Kartel is set to make history as the first dancehall artist to sell out London’s O2 Arena, one of the world’s most prestigious venues, with back-to-back shows in September; Kartel will be crowned “King of the Dancehall” at Reggae Sumfest 2025

Vybz Kartel sets new standard for dancehall (Photo: Linkz Notnice)

Vybz Kartel is set to write a new chapter in dancehall history as the first artist from the genre to headline and sell out London’s iconic O2 Arena.

With all 20,000 tickets already sold for the September 4 show and the back-to-back date on September 5 also now sold out, Kartel has achieved a historic double, two nights at full capacity in one of the world’s most prestigious venues.

“It’s never been done,” an inside source at the O2 confirmed. “No dancehall artist has EVER played a headline show at the O2,” the source emphasized, underscoring the historic significance of Vybz Kartel’s upcoming back-to-back, sold-out concerts.

While multiple artists have performed at the smaller Indigo at The O2 (2,700 capacity), which operates under the same management, and others have headlined venues like the OVO Wembley Arena (12,500 capacity)—including Alkaline with his "New Rules" concert in April, and Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, and Cham last year—none have reached this level. Popcaan’s Unruly Fest at Crystal Palace Bowl drew an impressive 13,000 fans, but Vybz Kartel is now the first-ever dancehall artist to headline and sell out the main O2 Arena, the largest indoor arena in the UK.

By selling out the O2 Arena, Vybz Kartel adds another milestone to his legacy, following his back-to-back sold-out nights at the Barclays Center in March.

Meanwhile, at the Reggae Sumfest 2025 launch held Wednesday night at the Iberostar Hotel in St. James, Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Entertainment, announced that this year’s staging will mark the official crowning of Vybz Kartel as the “King of the Dancehall.”

Beenie Man famously received the title at Sumfest in July 2009. Now, 16 years later, Kartel is reportedly set to receive the same honor, solidifying his legacy in dancehall history.

It joins a tradition of special honors that Reggae Sumfest has presented to outstanding artists over the years. In 2023, reggae icon Freddie McGregor received the Red Stripe Living Legend Award, while in 2024, dancehall artist Nigy was recognized with the Silver Montego Bay Sumfest City Award by the St. James Municipal Corporation.