ÐÓ°ÉÐÔ°É

Reggae Sumfest chief Joe Bogdanovich says he is in the process of hand-picking the perfect crown to place atop Vybz Kartel's head when he is officially crowned King of Dancehall at this year's festival at Catherine Hall in St James.

"I got a picture of what the crown should be," Bogdanovich, CEO of DownSound Entertainment, promoters of Reggae Sumfest, told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Bogdanovich said the 'perfect' royal jewel will be selected from a short list of three, and that he was close to making his decision.

"I just gotta choose the right one and let the crown speak for itself," he said with a laugh.

The upcoming coronation of the Worl' Boss at Reggae Sumfest is expected to reignite debate over the long-contested title of 'King of Dancehall'. Veterans Yellowman and Beenie Man -- both of whom have held the title -- have shown no willingness to give up their crowns.

Bogdanovich, when asked about the decision to crown Vybz Kartel, given the firestorm about who is king, said the Coloring This Life hitmaker has earned the title.

"Kings come and go, and that is what it is. You're a king for a little while and then you're doing something else; maybe you're even gone in another world, but this is Kartel's time for sure," Bogdanovich said.

Following his 2024 release from prison, Vybz Kartel's return has reignited global interest, with sold-out shows and major brand deals solidifying his dominance. Bogdanovich is anticipating a masterful set from the entertainer when he performs on Festival Night One of Reggae Sumfest 2025 on Friday, July 18. He said that the Vybz Kartel that was reintroduced to the world last year at his Freedom Street concert will be a total different one at Reggae Sumfest.

"This is a festival, a real festival, the real deal, and he's very well prepared because with him, you can't even try to figure it all out. But it's all just gonna be all positive, it's gonna be real good and you're gonna love it," said.