“Defrosting his Jamaican accent”: Netizens react as Drake joins Vybz Kartel on stage at his show in Toronto

Drake joined Vybz Kartel on stage during the latter's show at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, on Sunday, October 26. The two artists also performed together at the Wireless Festival in July this year during Drizzy's headlining act. Kartel performed in Canada for the first time on Sunday, October 26. He has another show at the same venue on Monday.

Additionally, due to high demand, an extra show was added for October 30. Drizzy's company, OVO, is presenting the show, and the rapper also appeared on stage on Sunday. He performed a couple of songs and said:

"We were just talking about how much time we've spent with this man’s music right here."

Fans online have reacted to this, as one X user wrote:

reese

@reese2603

Drake defrosting his Jamaican accent for Vybz Kartel

Many others echoed the same sentiment and criticized Drake:

The Mad Rapper

@RappMaddd

@Kurrco H*e a*s always wanting to be the center for attention!

Ryän Williäms

@rwilliams832

@Kurrco Dude is cringe

Some fans, however, were excited to see the duo together:

In My Prime 🦉

@U_Peaked

@Kurrco Drake stay showing love to real ones 🫡

motionzoi

@motionzoi

How can people question Drake about the culture? He used to hand out the flyers just to get in the club to hear the music. He’s just like the rest of us. Don’t let those fake activist in Los Angeles get you confused.

Calvin | Kiwi

@Kiwiuh

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

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Vybz Cartel opens up on performing with Drake and his collaboration with OVO

Wireless Festival 2025 - Day Three (Image Source: Getty)

Vybz Cartel, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer, performed in Canada for the first time this month, with his shows hosted by OVO. In an interview with The Star, published on October 25, the rapper explained how his partnership with the company came about. He said:

“The partnership came about when I was at the Wireless show [in London in July], because Drake literally took over Wireless and brought me out. We were talking backstage and he was like, ‘I’m going to see what I can make happen.’ I was like, ‘Hey, I’m ready.’ And trust me, it was so quick.

"Big up to Drake. He doesn’t waste time. What I saw from [the reaction to] these first three shows, I know I’ll be back there again next year. [Regarding future OVO partnerships] I mean, if it’s not broken, why fix it?” he added.

Kartel also opened up on his experience of performing with the Hotline Bling rapper, and said:

“When you get to experience the power which is Drake live on stage, and you get to see how the fans react to him, you see how he’s loved. He’s so iconic. I’m looking in amazement, like, ‘Oh, wow.’ I’ll never forget that.”

Kartel also confirmed that he and Drizzy are working on a collaboration, mentioning that three artists are involved. Since being released from prison in July 2024, Kartel has had an eventful time. In 2014, he was convicted of murdering an associate, Clive Williams, and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 35 years in Jamaica.

However, the U.K. Privy Council in London overturned the decision in March 2024 amid alleged juror misconduct, leading to his release in July last year. After his release, Kartel featured on Travis Scott's track, PBT, which was released in July this year. Meanwhile, Drizzy brought him out, along with other rappers, during his headlining set at the Wireless Festival 2025.

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