Vybz Kartel's first concert a huge success, would Premier Wheatley be vindicated?
Vybz Kartel, born Adijah Azim Palmer, made his triumphant return to the stage in Jamaica on Tuesday night, December 31, 2024, where his Freedom Street Concert drew a capacity crowd to Kingston’s National Stadium.
The much-anticipated concert, saw fans relishing the chance to see the ‘World Boss’ perform live after 13 years, with reviews inherently suggesting that the stinging rebuke against Dr Wheatley appears to have been premature.
Major economic impact for Jamaica
This as initial reports suggest that the immediate economic impact alone for Jamaica was estimated at around 1.5 billion Jamaican Dollars or 9, 580, 377.00 U.S dollars in revenue.
The Freedom Street Concert was expected to generate temporary employment for 500 to 700 individuals, boosting the job market.
On the tourism front, the promoters targeted an additional 1,000 to 2,000 international visitors, further stimulating the local economy with domestic businesses—including hotels, restaurants, and transportation services—also benefiting from increased patronage.
The success of the New Year's Eve concert has since brought to the fore the economic and cultural value such events bring, again questioning whether the VI is strategically positioning itself to efficiently capitalise on the artist’s regional tour, given the public outcry following announcements of the planned concert for March this year.
Critics, including two senior government ministers, had publicly vehemently expressed their concerns over prioritising the event amid pressing national issues.
Another critic was the queen of hate speech Ms Cindy R. Rosan who criticized with no foundation but many believe were attempts to get at the Premier.
Others were quick to label the Premier’s decision as frivolous, with reports claiming the government was “squandering funds on partying.”
These accusations were subsequently thoroughly debunked by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
Premier Wheatley has also made it clear that he will continue to support entertainment tourism in the VI as he has done for so many other activities.
Government is not directly involved
YOLO Promotions had publicly clarified that the government is not directly hosting the concert but merely providing sponsorship, as it has done for numerous other private-sector-driven events such as the One VI Music Festival, Anegada Lobster Festival, and BVI Spring Regatta.
Mr Steve E. Parillon of YOLO Promotions called out the false claims, stating, “A lot of things have been said that are not factual; the figure we received was $220,000, not the exaggerated amounts being circulated.”
According to the promoter, the process of securing the sponsorship was far from straightforward and involved significant dialogue with the Premier, who was aware of the potential backlash but recognised the long-term benefits of supporting the entertainment industry.
Public criticism from members of government
Among the loudest critics were former Deputy Premier Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE (AL), and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), who both publicly opposed the decision, citing urgent national priorities such as infrastructure and environmental clean-up, supporters of the initiative see it as a strategic investment.
Mr Parillon argued that the event would inject much-needed life into the stagnant economy, benefitting sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and small businesses.
“This concert will mean money for car rentals, flights to the BVI, hotels, barbershops and salons, ferry services, and so many other areas,” he said.
Further defending the promotion, he had publicly fired back, positing that the VI’s hosting of Vybz Kartel, a globally celebrated artist, would elevate the territory’s profile and serve to attract regional and international visitors.
Qualifying this position he pointed, “Other countries like Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados are booking him; if we didn’t act, we might have missed this golden opportunity.”
Many have anecdotally concluded that the sponsorship debacle had exposed divisions within the government.
The success of the Freedom Street Concert has reignited the debate on whether critics were too hasty in their judgment or did the debacle highlight a deeper disconnect between government priorities and the expectations of the public.
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72 Responses to “Vybz Kartel's first concert a huge success, would Premier Wheatley be vindicated? ”
This is the same artist where a woman was kneeling down on stage at one of his concerts, banana by his private parts while she pretended she was doing the act.
Premier holding hands with the devil but trying use God when it suits him.
Nice story though.
The government’s decision to spend public funds on a private concert amidst the pressing needs of the BVI is a glaring example of mismanagement and misplaced priorities. With crumbling infrastructure, environmental neglect, and urgent social issues, allocating $220,000 to subsidize entertainment is not just irresponsible—it is a blatant dereliction of duty.
Premier Wheatley’s defense of this expenditure as a “strategic investment” is laughable when weighed against the dire the possible economic boosts from tourism pale in comparison to the immediate and tangible improvements those funds could provide for healthcare, education, and public works.
This decision signals a troubling disconnect between the government and the people it serves. Instead of addressing the real issues facing the BVI, the administration has chosen to prioritize frivolous endeavors that amount to little more than a vanity project. The residents of the BVI deserve leadership focused on meaningful progress, not distractions masquerading as strategy.
Think back on what was said in the interview that got the Premier to bend.
The public are not in the event management business. The government has no business or legal authority spending our tax dollars on this.
They STILL haven't reported financials from the last concert debacles, so why would we have any confidence in this?
Kartel's success has no bearing on the government's or the Premier's success, authority, or responsibility to the public.
Politically speaking (typing), if number 1, the BVI public voters, wants number 2, government Leaders, to change their mindset, then number 1, the BVI public voters, must first change their mindset. Until then repetition will continue, probably with few subtle minor altercations here and there.
If the majority of the people of the BVI truly expect to experience a prosperous 2025, positive thinking follow by positive speaking, proactive and present action must become the norm, not the exception or random flip flops.
Let God our Creator (Almighty) be true (Truthful) and every man ( human kind) a liar (most of the times). Amen.
$1.5 Billion Jamaican Dollars = >$10 Million USD. Jamacia's National Stadium (where the concert was held) has a stated capacity of 35,000 people. $550M USD would make it the highest impact concert of all time, worldwide, and represent 2.5% of Jamaica's GDP. Can we get a correction to the story?
These news sites really need byline's (Authors Names).
Ah shame messon, ah shame
Kartel got a good crowd as he is a great promoter no debate there. However his personal performance was carry-your-own key worthy. He was aided by the other artistes who shared the stage with him but his personal performance was not worthy of the hype. Not that he was agreat performer to begin with but what he was and still is a great promoter. Some critics are calling for him to hang it up and work on promoting and writing for other artistes as his performance ability is not up to par. Persons who said they enjoyed the show or performance probably lying cause they are embarrassed that they spent that amount of money for a sub- par performance. I have real doubts on his ability to command a show by himself and I believe enthusiasm will now wane as clips of his performance start to circulate.
Add to that he is performing with a DJ not even a band yet he is charging 400k to perform why? 200k is just the deposit. Unbelievable waste of money.
There is nothing that can justify this waste of taxpayers money on a washed-out artiste, convicted murderer who has a new release about *&^% you mother along with his multiple vulgar pieces in his collection. Why are we promoting and investing in this nonsense is beyond comprehension. Shame on you Sowande.
What many errors?
Conviction was quashed on jury tampering not on the facts of the case. His defense claimed one of the jurors was trying to bribe the others to come with a 'not guilty' verdict. The Judge at the initial trial erred in continuing with the same Jury pool despite the allegations instead of dismissing the Jury pool and ordering a retrial. The conviction was quashed on the final appeal and the Jamaican court of appeal decided not to retry him due to passage of time, availability of witnesses and evidence an his declining health. Fact is he was convicted primarily.
https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/why-uk-privy-council-quashed-kartels-murder-conviction-3
Check out the facts laid out in the trial that the two men Clive Williams aka Lizard and Lamar Chow were given unlicensed firearms by Kartel which they failed to return and they were summoned to Kartel's house in 2011 where they were both attacked. Lamar escaped and the last thing he saw was Williams' on the ground motionless. The house was burnt down and Williams' body was never recovered. The man is a Murderer who got off on jury tampering which he clearly orchestrated.
He was also charged for the murder of Barrington Burton but that was dismissed for lack of evidence. How many times a Man must get charged and convicted for murder to know he is a Murderer?
I will never do any type of business with YOLO. Hate to say it but I hope the whole thing is a flop. Start getting the tomatoes and rotten eggs ready to start pelting Mr. YOLO. I would agree, CLOUT CHASER. I want my TAXPAYING MONEY BACK. WOWWWW LOOK HOW THE PREMIER HAND OVER $250,000 and the cost is rising to PAY A CRIMINAL that they call WORLD BOSS. THE ONLY WORLD BOSS IS GOD.
Bye to the Current Administration
Not a Vote of Confidence
The focus have to shift
Need a new 13 serious boys & girls
I believe that was Movado. I was there and i think that was the late Neil Mr Melee's show? I actually rate him over Vybez Kartel in terms of lyrical content, production and performance even though Movado not a big performer. Vybes is just a great promoter.
There pon d Gully side.
Mostly wanna be gangs going attend no decent ppl going to listen that man songs and he’s no artiste to me don’t sing nice best buju did make a comeback with Beres and others