Downsound executive Skatta Burrell has indicated that Vybz Kartel’s first concert since his release from prison will take place on New Year’s Eve, December 31.
On Friday, August 16, Skatta shared images of Kartel with Downsound CEO Joe Bogdanovich, where they appeared to be signing a contract, followed by a handshake and an embrace. In the background, the line “Hey Joe, mek mi tell yuh how mi grow” from Kartel’s 2015 Downsound Records-produced song ‘How Mi Grow’ plays repeatedly.
“See you in Jamaica December 31,” were the words superimposed on the video, which Skatta captioned: “This New Year’s Eve countdown is going to be one for the books. @vybzkartel @downsound_entertainment.”
A venue has not yet been disclosed. Kartel was released last month after his murder conviction was overturned by the UK’s Privy Council.
A few days ago, Kartel hinted at his collaboration with Downsound Entertainment’s Joe Bogdanovich and Skatta Burrell to stage his event when he shared a video asking his fans to suggest names for his upcoming Freedom concert. According to Kartel, Skatta had asked him for a title, but he decided to delegate the task to his fans.
The Freedom Concert date announcement comes just days after Supreme Promotions founder Isiah Laing asserted that while Sting, will be unaffected by Kartel’s upcoming December concert, the ‘Fever’ artist’s choice of date and potential appearance at his Boxing Day show will reveal if he genuinely has the event’s interests at heart.
“He has been away for so long, mek him come get him glory. But don’t come pon my pathway in December. Him shouldn’t choose December because when him duh dat now, is like him a look war,” Laing had stated, adding among other things that: “The history weh mi and Kartel have, a mi duh di greatest things pon dis Earth ya fi him [such as] signing his very first contract”.
Laing also said during the interview that while he was happy for Kartel’s release, he wished the ‘Any Weather’ artist should slow down and make wise decisions as he readjusted from prison life.
His son Tajhheer also said he was willing to give Kartel a full night in concert rather than postponing Sting with a 70/30 percent profit split.
Although an annual one-night Boxing Day show, Sting 2024 is scheduled to be a three-night festival spanning December 26 to 28 with the stage show set for December 26 at JamWorld, a street dance and sound clash on the 27th on the Kingston Waterfront and a beach party on the 28th at Fort Rocky.
As for Joe Bogdanovich, he and Kartel have shared a deep and fruitful musical relationship over the years.
Vybz Kartel’s ‘How Mi Grow’ was the lead track on Downsound Records’ Farr Out riddim which was released in 2015 and featured Ishawna’s ‘Long Fingernail’, Chi Ching Ching’s ‘Weh Dat Aguh’, Harry Toddler’s ‘Use To’ and Kirk Thuglas’ ‘Energy’.
Interestingly, Joe played a significant role as an actor in the music video for ‘How Mi Grow’, where he is portrayed taking notes from Kartel during a prison visit. The video features a Kartel look-alike sharing details over a prison phone, while the Downsound boss attentively listens and meticulously takes notes as Kartel recounts the hardships he faced growing up.
