During his headline performance at Reggae Land 2026 in the UK, Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel surprised fans by proclaiming a strong connection to Kenya, stating, "I was born in Jamaica, but I'm actually Kenyan." The declaration came before a crowd exceeding 60,000 at Milton Keynes National Bowl on August 2.
Kartel’s affinity for Kenya is reflected in his digital footprint, with Kenyan viewers accounting for over 90 million YouTube streams of his music, surpassing the 85 million streams from his native Jamaica. This impressive online engagement highlights Kenya as one of his most significant fan bases worldwide.
Adding to the buzz, Kartel posted a video wearing the Kenyan national football jersey while lip-syncing to a speech by Kenyan lawyer PLO Lumumba, further endearing himself to Kenyan fans.
Kenyan Fans Embrace Vybz Kartel
The Kenyan online community has warmly received his claim, with many humorously suggesting traditional Kenyan names such as Mwangi and Onyango for the artist. However, some fans have also expressed curiosity about when he might perform in Kenya.
Highlights from Reggae Land 2026
- Vybz Kartel shared personal news by introducing his fiancée, Sidem Öztürk, and announcing they are expecting their first child.
- The performance featured a surprise collaboration with Shenseea on their hit track "Panic," thrilling the audience.
