KINGSTON, Jamaica— If there was ever a doubt Vybz Kartel’s global reach, it was easily shattered on Tuesday night as fans from across the world flocked the National Stadium to witness his historic return to the stage after more than a decade in prison.

Fans from as far away as Paris, France and Accra, Ghana flew thousands of miles across continents to be front and centre to witness the deejay perform for the first time in 13 years.

Observer Online spoke to a few fans inside the venue who shared that despite so many other events happening across the globe on New Year’s Eve, Freedom Street is where they wanted to usher in 2025.

Two sisters who identified themselves as the Gaza Twins, said they travelled from New York City to Kingston to celebrate Vybz Kartel’s official return to freedom.

“I am representing for Vybz Kartel and there was nowhere else in the world that I would rather be tonight than here in Kingston to celebrate his freedom with him,” Gaza Twin Production said. “We’re here to celebrate new life. He can back out a new man and I’m just happy I’m here to witness his return.”

“I’m a Gaza girl and from I was little I wanted to see him perform. I’m 28 and the moment is here and this is where I wanted to spend my New Years,” her sister, DJ Gaza said. “My bucket list is checked.”

Their friend, Cha Cha who travelled from Florida with the Gaza Twins said Freedom Street was her event of choice because she wanted to celebrate the deejay’s redemption. Dressed in bright orange, she said the colour was symbolic as it represents freedom.

“I feel blessed and highly favored to be a part of history and that’s why I’m dressed in my orange tonight. It signifies freedom and I’m on the Freedom Street to celebrate just that,” she said.

-Shereita Grizzle