Jamaican dancehall star, songwriter and record producer Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer, is set to perform in Uganda as the headline act at the Talanta Festival Africa scheduled for May 1, 2026, at the Lugogo Cricket Oval.
The Talanta East Afrika Festival is designed as a cross-border cultural event that celebrates East Africa’s music, fashion, cuisine and artistic expression, while bringing together audiences from across the region.
The regional tour will be held in three major East African cities. It will start in Uganda, then move to Rwanda on May 2, before concluding in Kenya on May 8.
Vybz Kartel rose to global fame in the 2000s and became one of the most influential artists in dancehall music. Some of his biggest hits include Clarks, Fever, and Summertime. His music and style have played a major role in shaping modern dancehall and inspiring many younger artists.
Kartel also founded the music group Portmore Empire, which helped launch the careers of several dancehall musicians.
He later attracted global attention after being convicted in 2014 over the murder of Clive Williams. Despite this, his music continued to be released while he was in prison, keeping him highly influential in the dancehall scene.
“Talanta East Afrika Festival is about creating a platform that unites East Africans through music, culture and a shared identity,” said Bushington of Tunez Records Uganda, one of the festival’s lead organisers.
“We believe the region has incredible talent and cultural energy, and this festival is designed to showcase that power to both regional and global audiences.”
