Nothing but love between Gully-Gaza at Sumfest

When Vybz Kartel and Mavado shared a stage almost two decades ago, their performance was lyrical, fiery and tense, leaving their supporters and the security team at JamWorld on edge.

Their lyrical battles were insulting and fierce, which led to a major division between their fans, seemingly splitting the country between Gully Side (Mavado) and Gaza (Vybz Kartel). But early Sunday morning, when the duo took centre stage again, their performances were just as fiery but one filled with unity and a showcase of brotherhood. Entering A taste of Reggae Sumfest’s stage minutes after 2 a.m., both artistes took their fans down memory lane with a slew of hits from their catalogues. And although the lyrics were the same, the impact was different. Dressed in his signature black from head to toe, Mavado churned out the lyrics to songs like War Is The Air, Weh Dem a Do, Gangsters Life, and Nuh Bleach With Cream. Vybz Kartel responded with songs including Broad Daylight, A Wah Do Dem, Nah Go Nuh Weh, Real Deal.

Between performances the two legends hugged each other several times and cracked a few jokes and even borrowed each other’s lyrics during their set. Their chemistry on stage was unmatched and probably even a bit emotional, as they recalled instances of struggles and setbacks. A few minutes of their sets were shared with fellow dancehall artistes Stacious and Gaza Indu. The unity on stage clearly marked the end of an era and the beginning of a friendship that will be spoken about by generations to come.

Still firing ‘blanks’ in the air as he exited the St Ann venue minutes to 4 a.m., Christopher Thompson said his money was well spent.

“I was looking to see good performances and I got just that. I wanted especially the young people to be impacted positively after watching Kartel and Mavado and the man dem make that happen. Nuff a the youngster dem who was here only hear about the war that divide a whole heap a people back inna the past, but now when the two legend dem come and show say dem mature and music is not about violence, then things can only get better. No war never gwan and show sell off,” he said.

Another patron told THE STAR that she had been bracing herself for a stampede and possible ‘’war”, but was pleased that never happened.

“Everybody just stand up one place and enjoy dem self and that is because the energy on the stage was filled with joy and love. Mi was always a Gaza fan but mi feel like mi would carry home Mavado too. The two man dem gwan with themselves and it come like mi not did memba say a so much gal song Gully side did have. It was a good show,” she said.

Prior to the Gully-Gaza reunion, A Taste of Sumfest featured other standout acts, including Shawn Storm. For the entertainer, his return to the Sumfest stage was nothing short of amazing.