It was a night that fans at London’s Wireless Festival will remember for years to come. On Sunday, rapper Drake stunned the crowd by inviting Vybz Kartel to the stage-marking the Jamaican dancehall icon’s first performance in the United Kingdom in more than two decades.
“Today, I really wanted to pay my respect to the performers,” Drake told fans during his headlining set, according to Billboard. “Bringing the Worl’ Boss home to London after 20 years, making sure that he got time to headline his set.”
And headline it he did. Kartel performed a full 90-minute set, with standout moments including his hit “Romping Shop” alongside dancehall star Spice, and a fiery performance of Moliy’s “Shake it to the Max.”
The moment was particularly emotional for Kartel, who had been barred from international travel for years. “Twenty years I haven’t been here,” he told the cheering crowd. “It’s a pleasure.”
Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was released from prison in 2024 after Jamaica’s Court of Appeal overturned his conviction for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. He had served 13 years behind bars before the ruling cleared the way for his return to the international stage.
Drake’s three-night run at Wireless marked his first time headlining the festival for an entire weekend. His sets were packed with star power, featuring surprise appearances from Burna Boy, Lauryn Hill, Rema, 21 Savage, YG Marley, Central Cee, Popcaan, and Skepta.
Central Cee and Drake previewed a new collaboration set to be released this Friday. The Toronto rapper also brought back Rihanna’s “Work” into his set—despite telling fans in 2024, “I don’t sing this song anymore. You can sing it for me.”
Drake didn’t shy away from controversy either. In a subtle jab during “Nonstop,” he tweaked the lyrics to remove a LeBron James reference, rapping, “How I go from 6 to 23, no LeBron.” And when fans chanted “F*** Kendrick,” he calmly responded, “Grab me a shot. I’ll drink to that.”
After the festival, Drake posted on Instagram: “Best 3 nights of my performance career.”
Wireless 2025 will go down as one of the most talked-about festivals in recent memory—not just for the music, but for what it represented: a comeback, a celebration, and an unforgettable reunion between artist and audience.
About the Author
