Nuffy says Kartel was dancehall’s ‘missing piece’

MC Nuffy says Freedom Street concert proved that Vybz Kartel was the "missing piece of dancehall".

"The 'king' is here. Yuh have to be spontaneous ... duh di most interviews, share the love with the fans and he's one of that person. And that was the missing piece of dancehall weh mi a tell dem seh lock up inna jail and dem nuh undastand. Kartel nuh rest all now, from July 31 him come out him deh pon di Internet. Even di night before him show him deh a Meca. Him nuh hide from di people dem and yuh affi give dis man props," Nuffy told THE WEEKEND STAR just minutes after Freedom Street ended.

"Vybz Kartel nuh inna no more competition. Yuh see di levels weh Buju deh? That's where Vybz Kartel is at. Buju is the 'King a Reggae', Kartel is the 'King of Dancehall' 'cause a him a reign, suh him can't compete wid di likkle youth dem. A di youths affi tek dem time to fi come up to dah level deh because dat tek decades [of work] fi reach dah level deh. Katel inna a lane by himself," Nuffy opined while praising the Comet artiste for his outstanding performance at Freedom Street. The live stage show saw a combination of various creative pieces, from live juggling sessions to dancers adding their unique moves, incorporated with props and a storytelling form of deejaying from Vybz Kartel.

With a strong line-up of artistes with members from the 'Gaza camp' such as Popcaan, Sheba, Spice, Jah Vinci, Gaza Indu and Lisa Hyper, fans were treated to a special throwback session of their greatest hits, rekindled bond, and a great sense of musical strength that was displayed on stage.

Adding to the list of top-tier performers were Bounty Killer, Tommy Lee Sparta, Chronic Law, Skillibeng and international acts, Busta Rhymes and Shatta Wale. Dancehall young giants Nhance and Skeng, Eddy G Bomba and Ishawna also made cameo appearances at the event.

Looking back on the performances, Nuffy said he is now satisfied with the way Jamaicans are consuming music at live events.

"Di Jamaica weh mi a think bout and weh mi know, duh dah supmn deh weh mi a ask fah - dem kinda puddung di phone [and] gi yuh di energy. Suh Jamaica back to di energy weh mi a tell dem bout," said Nuffy. The MC, who was previously booked to 'bring the energy' to Sting 2024, also expressed sadness that it was postponed.

"Mi feel bad and mi feel ashamed too [and] hurt and mi shed tears [because Sting] a weh mi train. Mi hurt man because Sting a mi training grung - a deh mi guh hard. Suh how mi fi waah disrespect it? Wi feel a way because Sting is the madda and fadda fi reggae and dancehall," an emotional Nuffy shared. Despite opining that Sting should have been rescheduled due to Freedom Street, he insisted he was not disrespecting the show.

"Nobody cyaah get mi disrespect [Sting founder Isaiah] Laing [nor] Sting. Mi love Sting to mi heart but ... me know when yuh fi pull up from when yuh fi go forward. With [Freedom Street] at this energy ... is not like seh Sting couldn't keep but me [did] know seh it [wouldn't] mek nuh sense," he added.

When asked if he is now open to host Sting at its next staging, tentatively set for February, he replied:

"Well, yuh know, I'm di highest paid MC enuh and I'm dealing with business these days ... suh yes, because business a business".