Vybz Kartel declares himself Kenyan during Reggae Land 2026 performance in UK
By William Muthama, August 3, 2026Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel thrilled fans at Reggae Land 2026 in the United Kingdom after declaring himself Kenyan during his headline performance.
The “World Boss,” born Adidja Azim Palmer in Portmore, Jamaica, made the statement during his headline performance on Sunday night, August 2, before more than 60,000 fans at the Milton Keynes National Bowl, with his set running into the early hours of Monday, August 3.
Addressing the crowd, Kartel acknowledged the strong African presence at the festival, mentioning South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Malawi and Kenya before saying: “I was born in Jamaica, but I’m actually Kenyan.”
The lighthearted remark was met with loud cheers and quickly spread across social media, particularly in Kenya, where the dancehall icon has cultivated one of his most loyal fan bases.
Longstanding bond with Kenya
Although Kartel is Jamaican by birth and nationality, he has repeatedly expressed admiration for Kenya over the years. He has referred to himself as both Kenyan and Jamaican, worn Kenyan-themed apparel, and used Swahili phrases while interacting with fans.
Nairobi remains one of Kartel’s top streaming cities, reflecting the enduring support he enjoys in Kenya. Even during his years of incarceration, Kenyan fans continued to champion his music, helping maintain his popularity across East Africa.
His influence extends beyond music. Kartel’s style has shaped Kenya’s dancehall scene and inspired elements of the Gengetone movement, including slang, fashion and youth culture. Some Nairobi street groups even adopted the “Gaza” name in homage to his famous crew.
Headline performance
Kartel closed the third and final day of Reggae Land 2026 with a 90-minute headline set, marking his debut appearance at the festival’s biggest edition to date.
He made a dramatic entrance beneath a towering crown-shaped stage before performing a string of hits including Fever, Summertime, and Wine to the Top.
He also joined Shenseea for the first-ever live performance of their collaboration Panic, drawing huge cheers from the crowd.
The festival also featured performances by Shaggy, Beenie Man, and Morgan Heritage.
During the performance, Kartel also appeared to reveal that his fiancée, Sidem Öztürk, is pregnant with their first child together.