"Toronto stays winning": Fans react excitedly as Drake joins Vybz Kartel for his first-ever show in Canada 

Drake surprised his fans by joining Vybz Kartel on stage for his first-ever live show in Canada. The event was held at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2025.

The Canadian rapper and Kartel share a strong connection built on mutual respect and admiration. Drake has been an ardent fan of the Jamaican DJ’s music. During his teenage years, the Know Yourself singer would hand out flyers standing outside Escape Nightclub, just to lose himself in Kartel’s music.

This was not the first time that the duo performed together. Previously, Drake invited Kartel to perform at London's Wireless Festival in July this year. It marked Kartel’s first performance in the UK after spending 13 years behind bars.

When fans came to know of their recent performance in Canada, they took to X to react with their opinions. A fan wrote on X,

"Vybz Kartel’s first show in Canada and Drake is on stage with him? Toronto stays winning."

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Netizens react as Drake joins Vybz Kartel in Canada

Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer, is a renowned and controversial dancehall artist based in Jamaica. He is often referred to as Worl' Boss, Teacha, and King of Dancehall.

Here is how the fans have reacted as Drake joined Kartel for his first-ever performance in Canada.

“This the guy the industry convinceda bunch of losers to go against: Drizzzzzzy Drake a gracious host and he ain’t even have to do it.” A user wrote on X.

“Drake stay showing love to real ones” Another added.

“Industry Controlla and World Boss…ts so.” A third wrote.

However, some other users had a negative reaction towards Drake siding with Kartel, who was previously incarcerated for murder.

“Drake thinks celebrating murders and killers, gives him street cred. Then we wonder why black folks have bad role models.” A user noted.

“vybz kartel murdered people and served jail time, how does Canada let this guy into the country?” Someone else commented.

“I definitely won't be purchasing his overpriced tickets!” A person commented.

Vybz Kartel was seen in a Blue Jays gear during his first-ever show at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena. In the meantime, Drake wore a military green jacket and trousers. He then told the crowd:

“Look at all these people right here, how much time we’ve spent with this man’s music right here. We’ve been waiting to see you our whole [expletive] lives. Welcome home — we’re so happy to have you.”

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Kartel rose to fame in the early 2000s as a solo artist after gaining attention as part of a group called Vibes Cartel. His breakthrough came with the release of songs such as Guns Like Mine, Badman, and Most High.

He was reportedly jailed in 2014 for the murder of his associate Clive Williams. It was one of the longest trials in the history of Jamaica, lasting 65 days. He was freed from prison in 2024 when his murder conviction was overturned by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London due to juror misconduct during the trial.

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