Vybz Kartel, Mavado Reunite Years after Heated Gulley, Gaza Beef
- Kenyans are thrilled by the long-awaited reunion of dancehall giants Vybz Kartel and Mavado, whose past rivalry once sparked tension even in Nairobi
- The two icons, once leaders of opposing camps, Gaza and Gully, were seen chatting warmly at a music video shoot with Buju Banton and DJ Khaled
- Their reunion stirred nostalgia among Kenyan fans, many recalling the intense loyalty and drama that once defined the feud
Kenyans are over the moon following the reunion of two of dancehall music’s biggest stars, Vybz Kartel and Mavado.
Source: Instagram
How did Mavado and Vybz Kartel's beef end?
The beef between the Jamaican stars was one of the most influential and intense rivalries in the genre’s history.
Kartel’s side was Gaza, while Mavado’s was Gully, and it was marked by a series of diss tracks, lyrical battles, and deep fan loyalty that divided communities and even schools across Jamaica.
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The rivalry thrust the two into the spotlight and raised concerns about escalating tension among youthful fans.
Jamaica’s political and religious leaders were forced to intervene and call for peace.
Did Mavado and Vybz Kartel reconcile?
In 2009, Kartel and Mavado publicly made up at a concert organised by the Jamaican government.
The feud was also felt in Kenya and even took a dangerous trajectory. A group of Nairobi youths christened themselves Gaza and terrorised city residents.
Footage shared on social media captured the moment the two icons reunited.
Vybz and Mavado excitedly chatted as Bounty Killa and DJ Khaled looked on.
Other photos from the scene indicated that the two former rivals were shooting a music video alongside Buju Banton.
“Historic collaboration alert. Unity is strength!
This collaboration is 97% done, working on the final part. I don’t want this to be a secret; this will be more of a gift to the world. This is for the culture,” Khaleed wrote.
Dancehall music fans in Kenya celebrated the move, with some of them reliving the old rivalry. Here are the reactions:
mungai_bryan:
“Legendary moment. One Gully Gad, one Gaza Don.”
law__ 2h:
“Making peace is everything.”
msungu_ke:
“Full definition of dancehall.”
wanjiku_sha:
“Gaza for life.”
jillian_stellar:
“It has been 17 years already? I have become those people who say 'back in the day.'”
angiemukami:
"The enmity we had back in high school because of these two."
What is ailing Vybz Kartel?
Source: Instagram
In other news, Kartel’s prison release sparked renewed attention to his battle with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid.
His noticeably swollen face, bulging eyes, and weakened physical state prompted concern among fans, who immediately noticed the drastic change in his appearance.
Graves’ disease causes the thyroid to produce excess hormones, causing the immune system to attack healthy tissues mistakenly.
Common symptoms include fatigue, heat sensitivity, muscle weakness, and pronounced eye protrusion.
Kartel’s condition had worsened during his time behind bars, where he was hospitalised multiple times.
Although surgery is one form of treatment, it was reportedly not accessible to him in prison. He said he was prioritising his recovery post-release.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
