Dancehall star Shenseea abruptly pulled the plug on her Reggae Sumfest 2025 set after organisers reportedly failed to cover the full cost of her live band. This move has fuelled speculation that her cancellation was influenced by Vybz Kartel’s hefty booking fee that stunned the internet following the failed Trinidad festival.
It is believed that Vybz Kartel’s $1 million-plus booking fee for the One Caribbean Music Festival will set off a ripple effect in the industry, influencing entertainers who may now hike their own prices. While Reggae Sumfest organisers were apparently able to meet Shenseea’s personal fee, she claims they could not foot the bill for her full live band, an essential part of her performance that she refused to compromise on.
The Hit & Run singer, who is currently overseas, recently opened up to fans about her reason for cancelling during a TikTok live stream. “I’m not performing at Sumfest. They couldn’t afford to bring down my band,” she expressed, explaining that the organisers could not fly out her band.
She said her band comprises Jamaican entertainers and indicated that despite performing without a band on many occasions, she did not want to leave her band behind for this year’s staging of Reggae Sumfest.
“I wanted my band to come down to Jamaica, and dem say, ‘no’ dem just cyah manage fi bring down everybody, so I was forced to cancel Sumfest,” she continued. Shenseea explained that she wanted to deliver a top-tier performance for her fans and avoid criticism over a mediocre set.
She emphasised the importance of performing with the live band she’s been working with for the past two years, a team that is perfectly in sync with her sound and stage energy.
Meanwhile, the dates for the highly anticipated event draw nearer. Reggae Sumfest 2025 will be hosted in Montego Bay, where music enthusiasts can enjoy seven days of culture and Jamaican tunes, starting on July 13 and ending on July 19.
On July 18, dubbed ‘Festival Night 1’, a slew of dancehall stars including Vybz Kartel, Masicka, Tommy Lee, Skeng and Govana will be taking the stage. The following day, ‘Festival Night 2’, will feature international singer Toni Braxton and many reggae entertainers, such as Tarrus Riley, Protoje, Lila Iké, I Wayne, and Pressure Busspipe.
