At least two ministers within the government of Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley have voiced opposition to the use of taxpayer funds to support an upcoming concert that will be headlined by Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, scheduled for March 2025 in the British Virgin Islands.
Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna Smith and Minister for Communication and Works Hon. Kye Rymer publicly expressed their concerns prior to the official announcement on Saturday, October 5, that YOLO Promotions had secured Vybz Kartel for the event. The ministers raised their objections amid speculation that the government might sponsor the show.
In an interview with ZBVI Radio on Friday, October 4, Smith was firm in her stance against government involvement, emphasizing that the territory faces more pressing issues that should take precedence over entertainment investments.
Minister Rymer echoed Smith’s concerns, stating that government investment in the concert would be poorly timed. “Not at this time,” he said, adding that public funds should be directed toward more critical needs rather than entertainment sponsorships.
Both ministers’ comments come as the Virgin Islands faces ongoing debates about resource allocation and government spending priorities. Their opposition has sparked a conversation about the role of government in entertainment sponsorships, particularly during times when other areas of public interest, such as infrastructure and social services, are in need of attention.
While YOLO Promotions announced that they had secured Vybz Kartel for what would be the artist’s first performance in the territory, the question of government sponsorship remains controversial.