The Dancehall Renaissance: New Gen, Same Fire

When Vybz Kartel announced he would finally be returning to the states to perform, the internet was in a frenzy. Two shows in New York for the first time in over 20 years — demand was absolutely through the roof. You know that saying, “run, don’t walk”? The girls sprinted for those tickets. Making history, he sold out both shows and sent an unparalleled energy all through Barclays — twice. 

For those who don’t know, Vybz Kartel is an internationally known Jamaican dancehall artist, responsible for hits like ‘Summer Time’, ‘Fever’ and ‘Romping Shop’. In 2014, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, but maintained his innocence. After serving 13 years (he had been in jail since 2011), the conviction was overturned in 2024 due to juror misconduct.

This NY return was for the fans that grew up partying to his music, but never got the chance to see him perform live. This was for the true lovers of dancehall and its culture. Most importantly, this was the reset the genre needed. 

Stay with me here. In recent years, dancehall has been experiencing a shift. New artists entered the scene experimenting with different styles and sounds. Riddim culture (creating a beat for several artists to make a song to) took a back seat to a more individualistic approach. Some people even argued that artists weren’t making as many party songs as they once did. The essence of it remained the same, but the genre was evolving. Here’s the thing, while dancehall tried to find its place again, other international sounds, like afrobeats, began to take up more space on the global stage. 

Then came Freedom Street – a New Years Eve concert to celebrate Vybz Kartel’s homecoming after serving 13 years in prison. Fans and artists alike traveled from all over to attend. It was such a historic moment. A pivotal celebration of Kartel’s freedom and dancehall culture. A few months later New York got the chance to experience that same electric energy. 

Two sold out shows at the Barclays sent a clear message: the influence and impact of dancehall is undisputed. Since the Vybz Kartel shows several other dancehall artists have returned to the stage, bringing the same unmatched energy fans love so much. There’s even been an increased presence of dancehall artists on platforms like “On The Radar” showcasing their hottest songs. Dancehall is reclaiming the spotlight.

There’s a Jamaican saying, “we likkle, but we tallawah”, which basically means we’re small, but mighty. It describes the culture perfectly — a small island with a global impact. Dancehall needed that reminder and quite frankly, so did the world. 

So if you’re not already, get familiar with the sound: