Sumfest to crown Kartel 'King of the Dancehall'
Published:Friday | May 30, 2025 | 1:34 PMAdrian Frater/Gleaner Writer -
Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel is to be crowned 'King of the Dancehall’ by Reggae Sumfest.
Joe Bogdanovich, chief executive officer of DownSound Entertainment, teased the 'coronation' at the Montego Bay launch of Reggae Sumfest on Wednesday, referring to Kartel as the "current dancehall king" while listing the line-up for the 32nd staging of the festival.
A source close to DownSound Entertainment, who is not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, later confirmed that Kartel would be officially crowned during this year's event.
With Kartel slated to headline Festival Night One of Reggae Sumfest 2025 on Friday, July 18, it is expected that the honour will take place on the opening night of performances inside the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay, St James.
Dancehall veteran Beenie Man was named 'King of the Dancehall' at Reggae Sumfest in 2009.
Kartel made his long-awaited return to the Jamaican stage in December 2024, following his release after 13 years in prison for a crime he was acquitted of by the Court of Appeal that July. He last appeared at Reggae Sumfest in 2011.
The 2025 line-up for Reggae Sumfest includes R&B superstar Toni Braxton, Masicka, Tarrus Riley, Protoje, Lila Iké, Tommy Lee Sparta and Skeng, among others.