Kenyans and dancehall fans around the globe are celebrating a historic moment as legendary Jamaican artists Vybz Kartel and Mavado put their long-standing feud behind them. Once fierce rivals leading the infamous Gaza and Gully camps, the two icons were spotted chatting warmly during a recent music video shoot with Buju Banton and DJ Khaled. Their reunion has triggered waves of nostalgia, particularly among Kenyan fans who vividly remember the deep loyalties and heated exchanges that once defined their rivalry.
The past tension between the artists, marked by fiery diss tracks and lyrical battles, was among the most intense ever witnessed in dancehall history. The Gaza vs. Gully conflict split communities, classrooms, and even friends, with each artist commanding fierce allegiance from fans. The beef grew so intense that it prompted intervention from Jamaica’s political and religious leaders. In 2009, the government facilitated a public truce during a peace concert—yet the rivalry’s cultural legacy endured.
Interestingly, the feud’s impact wasn’t confined to Jamaica. In Kenya, the Gaza-Gully divide influenced youth culture so profoundly that a Nairobi-based gang named itself after the Gaza camp, leading to real-life violence. For many, the recent reunion signals hope, healing, and the transformative power of music.
Video footage shared online captured the emotional moment the two stars reconnected, smiling and laughing as dancehall veterans DJ Khaled and Bounty Killa stood nearby. Photos from the shoot suggest the artists are collaborating on a new project alongside Buju Banton, a development that has stirred massive excitement across the global dancehall community.
“This collaboration is 97% done. It’s not just a song—it’s a gift to the world. For the culture,” DJ Khaled reportedly stated in a post that has since gone viral.
Online reactions from fans have been overwhelmingly positive, with many recalling the impact of the Gaza-Gully saga on their own lives. “Legendary moment. One Gully Gad, one Gaza Don,” one user wrote. Another reflected, “The enmity we had back in high school because of these two was real.” Others expressed disbelief at how quickly the years had passed, with one commenter noting, “It has been 17 years already?”
While fans are elated by the reunion, there is also growing concern about Vybz Kartel’s health. Following his release from prison, many observed a drastic change in his appearance, with visible swelling and protruding eyes. It was later confirmed that Kartel is battling Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid and can cause muscle weakness, eye issues, and general fatigue. His time in prison reportedly worsened the condition, with limited access to proper treatment, though he is now said to be prioritizing his recovery.
As Kartel and Mavado embark on this new chapter, their reconciliation not only revives hopes for powerful collaborations but also stands as a powerful symbol of maturity, healing, and the unifying force of music. Fans are now eagerly waiting to hear the results of what promises to be a landmark project in dancehall history.
