Ishawna Turns Up the Heat at Reggae Sumfest 2025

Montego Bay, St James (McKoy’s News) — Dancehall diva Ishawna brought pure  fire to the Sumfest stage on Friday night, leaving tongues wagging and fans begging for more with her bold performance and steamy collaboration with Vybz Kartel.

The controversial entertainer made her entrance just after midnight during Festival Night 1 at Catherine Hall, dressed in a daring outfit that had patrons cheering before she even sang a note. She wasted no time diving into her hits, including Equal Rights, New Child, and Everybody Needs Somebody.

But it was her surprise appearance alongside incarcerated deejay Vybz Kartel — via pre-recorded vocals and on-screen visuals — that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Together they performed their raunchy hit WOOF, with Ishawna owning the stage and showing why she remains one of dancehall’s most talked-about artists.

“Big up di World Boss same way! WOOF an’ bark if yuh bad!” Ishawna teased the crowd, who barked and roared in response.

Patrons could be seen waving rags, taking out phones, and shouting her name as she closed her set with Legendary, while the bass rattled the venue and the energy reached fever pitch.

Festival organizers praised her performance as one of the most exciting of the night, calling it “unapologetic, confident, and unforgettable.”

Reggae Sumfest 2025, which runs from July 13–19, continues with its second concert night on Saturday, featuring reggae stalwarts and more surprise acts.