Cardi B pulls out of BZR WKND Jamaica, and ticket holders are waiting on answers

Cardi B will not headline BZR WKND Jamaica. Her representatives confirmed on 8 October 2026 that she will not perform at the festival's closing show at the National Stadium in Kingston on 18 October, a little over a week before she was due on stage. No reason was given at the time.

The Bronx rapper had been billed as the centrepiece of the weekend, which was pitched as her first headlining stadium concert in the Caribbean. Her team said she appreciates the love and support from her fans in Jamaica, and pointed questions about the festival, tickets and refunds to the organisers.

What Cardi has said

On the morning of 9 October she posted a video message for Jamaican fans. She apologised, said she had waited a long time for arrangements to come together before pulling out, and said she was sad to miss a trip that fell on her birthday weekend. She also pushed back on talk that weak sales were behind the decision, saying she understood more than 18,000 tickets had been sold, a figure ADMC has not been able to verify. She added that contract restrictions limit what she can say, so the full reason is not public, and she said she hopes to perform in Jamaica one day.

What is still unclear

As of Saturday 10 October, the organisers had not published a refund arrangement or named a replacement headliner. The ticketing page for the event, which sells through Tikkets, was still carrying Cardi's name when last reported, and its terms describe sales as final. Fans have been asking online for refunds and for help with travel costs. A Jamaican attorney has argued publicly that a no-refund notice does not automatically override consumer protection law when an advertised headliner is removed. That is commentary rather than a ruling, and what any one buyer is owed depends on their ticket terms.

The rest of the weekend

BZR WKND Jamaica is organised by Ryan Burke's team, with Campari as title partner. The four-day programme runs through the Heroes' Day holiday weekend: Yaad Ting on Friday 16 October, the Tidal Rave Beach Party on Saturday 17 October, the Sunday night stadium show, and RIDDIM: WYFL Edition on Monday 19 October.

The Sunday bill still lists R&B singer Keyshia Cole and dancehall star Spice as host. On 29 September the organisers added four dancehall names: Ding Dong, Malie Donn, Stalk Ashley and Shaneil Muir. The organisers have said more surprises are coming, though whether the lineup is reshuffled around the gap has not been confirmed.

We will update this story when the organisers say how ticket holders will be looked after.