On Saturday, July 19, Vybz Kartel and Mavado will be headlining a historic celebration of dancehall at Plantation Cove, St Ann.

A Taste of Reggae Sumfest will not just be about seeing Vybz Kartel and Mavado on the same stage; it will involve hearing the songs that defined one of dancehall’s most legendary eras. From hard-hitting diss tracks to international crossover hits and timeless party anthems, both deejays have more than enough material to keep the crowd thoroughly engaged.

Whether they lean into nostalgia, revisit the musical warfare that captivated dancehall, or celebrate the global hits that elevated their careers, Kartel and Mavado have produced enough hits to fill an all-night show.

Still, no matter what they choose, somebody’s favourite will be left out. Nevertheless, the Jamaica Observer has attempted to put together a set list for one of the most highly anticipated showcases in dancehall history. Let us know if you spot your favourite track:

VYBZ KARTEL

Few artistes in dancehall can rival the depth of Vybz Kartel’s catalogue. Some fans may be eager to hear newer favourites while others will be craving the lyrical potency of the “black Kartel”. Either way, there are certain songs that are guaranteed to trigger deafening singalongs.

With Freedom Street, in December 2024, still fresh on replay, Vybz Kartel may be pondering a different opening. With Reggae Sumfest expected to draw a huge international crowd, the artiste may very well decide to draw on one of his biggest global hits. The obvious choice would be either Fever or Summer Time (we are in that season). Nevertheless, his catalogue is so expansive, he could channel the energy from his dancehall genesis in the early 2000s or something completely new from either of his Grammy-nominated albums.

Crowd-pleasers such as Dollar Sign, Clarks, Any Weather, and Colouring Book could also end up on his set list.

Kartel knows the local crowd has missed his raw energy and so Street Vybz, Bicycle, Dumpa Truck, Ramping Shop, Unstoppable, and Touch A Button are also a few of the tracks that may end up reverberating through speakers across Plantation Cove.

MAVADO

Mavado has not performed in Jamaica in almost a decade, and the cancellation of his December return, due to Hurricane Melissa, left local fans starving for his presence. His set list is expected to be emotionally charged, raw, confident and authentic.

The entertainer will want to acknowledge his long absence. The most likely start to his set will feature tracks such as
On the Rock, Gully Side, So Special, and Star Boy.

To compensate for all his years away from the local stage, the entertainer must satisfy the appetites of his hard-core fans. He must therefore lean heavily into his dark, iconic early catalogue pulling out songs such as Real McKoy, Gangster Life, and perhaps, Delilah.

No conversation about Kartel and Mavado is complete without acknowledging the rivalry that once consumed dancehall. The clash produced some of the genre’s most memorable lyrical exchanges. Realistically, Saturday’s performance is expected to celebrate unity rather than reopen old wounds. But even a brief nod to that era — whether through a snippet, an instrumental, or a surprise verse — would undoubtedly send long-time fans into a frenzy.

Here are some of the tracks we think fans would want to hear from that iconic clash era:

Mavado.

• Nuh Bleach Wid Cream (Mavado)

•Broad Daylight (Vybz Kartel)

•Weh Dem A Do (Mavado)

•Mafraudo (Vybz Kartel)

•Informa (Mavado)

•Empire Army (Vybz Kartel)

•Real Killa (Mavado)

•Last Man Standing (Vybz Kartel)

•Top Shatta Nah Miss (Mavado)

•Weh Dem Feel Like (Vybz Kartel)

•Chat Too Much (Mavado)

•Nah Go Nuh Weh (Vybz Kartel)

•Warn Dem (Mavado)

•Real Badman (Vybz Kartel)

They simply don’t have enough time to perform everything supporters will want to hear. The excitement will be on and off the staff, and that’s exactly the kind of problem every dancehall fan will be happy to have.