Days after receiving the green light from Trinidadian authorities to perform at the One Caribbean Music Festival, controversial entertainer Vybz Kartel abruptly withdrew from the event hours before it kicked off late Saturday (May 31).

The Jamaican deejay, born Adidja Palmer, claimed that his no-show was the culmination of several ‘ineptitudes’ on the part of the organiser, Jacho Entertainment Limited, who he said failed to honour contractual agreements made.

It was the second high-profile no-show of the night as Ghanaian-British hitmaker MOLIY also announced her withdrawal from the festival being staged at Queen’s Park Savanah.

As irate Trinidadians voiced their disapproval with the sudden withdrawal, Jacho Entertainment counterargued that Kartel was paid a substantial sum “in good faith” and met challenges to compensate the dancehall recording artiste with the remaining balance.

According to the organising team, US$940,000 was paid directly to Vybz Kartel out of the initial US$1.35 million and another US$150,000 was dispensed to Palmer’s legal rep.

Organisers further allege that it was informed of Kartel’s no-show from media reports and contended it received no formal communication from the self-proclaimed ‘Worl’ Boss’ or his management team that he would not perform.

Issuing an apology to patrons, Jacho Entertainment insisted the concert would continue as planned and thanked the public for their continued support.

FULL STATEMENT

“The organisers of the One Caribbean Music Festival (OCMF) wish to issue a sincere and heartfelt apology to fans of internationally renowned dancehall artiste Adidja Palmer, professionally known as Vybz Kartel, following a press statement issued today by local advertising agency Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi, on behalf of his international management team, confirming that the artiste will no longer be performing at the highly anticipated event tonight.

Vybz Kartel was formally contracted to perform at OCMF 2025 for a total sum of USD$1.35million. To date, USD$950,000 has been paid directly to the artiste, while an additional USD$150,000 was disbursed to his legal representative.

Earlier this week, OCMF organisers were asked by Kartel’s management team to adjust his travel itinerary by rescheduling his flight to Friday, which was accommodated in good faith. The remaining balance due was made available in full; however, due to legal and financial regulations in Trinidad and Tobago, the organisers were unable to disburse the final amount in cash.

Despite all efforts made by the OCMF team to ensure the artiste’s comfort and full payment, it was through a media report on CNC3 that organisers were informed of the cancellation of his performance-mere hours before the event.

While this sudden and disappointing development is beyond the control of the organisers, OCMF 2025 will proceed as planned. With all licenses, permits, and personnel in place, and with key performers already on the island—including Malie Donn, Chronic Law, Rvssian, and The Ruffcut Band-alongside headliners Moliy and Sizzla Kalonji en route to Trinidad, fans can rest assured that the show is still on.

The One Caribbean Music Festival will commence at 9:00 pm tonight at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early and come out to enjoy an unforgettable night of Caribbean music and unity. The OCMF team thanks the public for their continued support and understanding, and remains committed to delivering a world-class entertainment experience.”

Kartel offers different story

Kartel, in a nearly two-minute Instagram rant, slammed festival organisers for putting him at “loggerheads with the government”—a move he said initially led to him being banned from media interviews and school visits, which were ‘not part of the deal’, according to the ‘Unstoppable‘ hitmaker.

“Promoter fi di Trinidad show…’memba a years mi know yuh. Remember the money you talking about [re] the legal team a outta my money it fawud because ‘memba yah bawl and mi seh ‘TJ, mi know him long time, gi him a bly’. Yuh miss deadline after deadline [and] me beg fi yuh….” said Vybz Kartel.

“Yuh bring mi now inna loggerheads with the Government of Trinidad—mi neva tell yuh mi wah do nuh school! My job is to perform for the people. Me is a entertainer, mi get pay to entertain,” he added.

Kartel mused that Jacho Entertainment purportedly wanted to host the One Caribbean Music Festival during Carnival festivities in February, to which he told organisers not to “mess with the culture”.

Facing the camera and hinting at unrealistic expectations, Kartel told Jacho Entertainment to admit to the people of Trinidad that they “couldn’t manage” a stage show of his calibre.

“Deadline after deadline, crying after crying…yuh just couldn’t manage a Kartel show and a dat yuh need fi tell di people dem. End of discussion,” the deejay asserted.

“My only regret in this situation is that the Trinidad people, a dem yuh rob out of a chance fi see Kartel after so many years. Yuh see me? A positivity me a deal wid, and good energy, so mi apologise to the people. Big up the Government of Trinidad. And mi blame miself in some way because mi shoulda know seh anuh every promoter can manage Vybz Kartel…it take a lot,” he concluded.