Prominent Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel (legal name Adidja Azim Palmer) is facing a substantial breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by Trinidad-based event promoter Jacho Entertainment Ltd. The legal action, submitted to the High Court of Justice on January 13, alleges the artist wrongfully canceled his headline performance at the One Caribbean Music Festival in Port of Spain despite receiving over US$1.1 million in advance payments.
The dispute centers around a performance agreement executed on November 22, 2024, which stipulated Kartel would headline the festival for a total fee of US$1.35 million. According to court documents, the event was initially scheduled for February 28, 2025, before being rescheduled to May 31, 2025, though no formal amendment to the payment schedule was executed.
Jacho Entertainment claims it had fulfilled approximately 81% of its financial obligation prior to the event date, with the remaining US$250,000 scheduled for payment upon the artist’s arrival in Trinidad. The promoter attributes the delayed final payment to temporary foreign exchange restrictions in Trinidad and Tobago, which they maintain were properly communicated to Kartel’s management team.
The lawsuit alleges that Kartel failed to board his scheduled flight to Trinidad on May 30, 2025, with his management subsequently demanding full payment before his arrival—a condition allegedly not stipulated in the original contract. The artist then publicly announced the cancellation on the day of the event through social media channels.
Jacho Entertainment is seeking significant compensation for incurred expenses exceeding TT$7.3 million covering staging, production, marketing, and logistical costs. The claim includes demands for special damages, general damages for reputational harm and lost opportunities, restitution, and interest. The filing additionally references allegedly defamatory statements made by Kartel on social media that the promoter claims falsely attributed blame for the cancellation.
Legal representatives Criston Williams and Anthea Smith are representing Jacho Entertainment in proceedings that highlight the complex financial and contractual dynamics within the international music performance industry.