Cardi B Cancels BZR WKND Jamaica Set: 'It Wasn't Me'

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Cardi B will no longer headline BZR WKND Jamaica. Her representatives told Billboard on Thursday, October 8, that the rapper would not perform at the festival on October 18, 2026, at Kingston's National Stadium. A day later she addressed fans directly, apologising and insisting the cancellation was out of her hands. "However, ooh, I can't talk. I can't talk due to contracts. But just know, it wasn't me," she said in a video quoted by the Jamaica Gleaner. The statement "Cardi B will not be performing at BZR WKND Jamaica on October 18, 2026," her reps said in the statement to Billboard. "Cardi appreciates the love and support from her fans in Jamaica and hopes to see them in the future." The statement directed questions about the festival's status and ticketing to the organisers, and said any information about Cardi B's future performances would come only through her official channels. Billboard said organisers had not returned its request for comment at press time. "I waited and I waited" In her video, Cardi B explained why the cancellation came so late. "First things first, I want to really, really apologise to Jamaica and to my Jamaican fans," she said, according to the Gleaner and the Jamaica Observer. "The reason why I cancelled so late is because when I say I tried my best and I waited and I waited and I waited for things to get in place and together, but it didn't." "I waited this long because I was trying to give chances over and over and over and over and over again, and things didn't meet to the point," she added, as quoted by the Gleaner. She also rejected claims that weak sales were the reason. "For the haters, not the Jamaicans, but for the haters talking about little ticket sales, it was never that, because I heard there were over 18,000 tickets sold," she said. A birthday trip that won't happen Both Jamaican papers report that she had planned to stay on in Jamaica with friends and family after the show, a trip that coincided with her birthday. The Gleaner says the appearance would have been her first performance in Jamaica. "I really, really, really wish that I could come and perform in Jamaica one day because I really love you guys. I have amazing families out there, and I'm sorry, and I love y'all," she said. Key facts Festival: BZR WKND Jamaica, a four-day festival of music, culture, food, tourism, fashion and entertainment (Billboard) Cancelled set: Cardi B, Sunday, October 18, 2026 Venue: National Stadium, Kingston Announced: Thursday, October 8, via her reps to Billboard Host: Spice Other performers: Keyshia Cole, Malie Donn, Ding Dong, Stalk Ashley, Shaneil Muir and DJ MAC Organisers ask for patience The BZR WKND team responded on social media on Friday. "We are aware of the recent developments surrounding BZR WKND Jamaica 2026," it said, as quoted by the Jamaica Observer. "We understand the excitement and anticipation surrounding this event, and we recognise that fans and ticket holders are looking for clarity." The organisers said they were working through the latest developments and would share an official update once more details were confirmed. No refund plan or replacement headliner had been announced in the reports. The rest of the bill Billboard reported on September 28 that dancehall star Spice would host this year's festival, with Keyshia Cole, Malie Donn, Ding Dong, Stalk Ashley, Shaneil Muir and DJ MAC also performing. The outlet notes that the National Stadium is the venue Vybz Kartel sold out for his comeback concert on New Year's Eve 2024. Cardi B's year Billboard says her Little Miss Drama Tour grossed more than $70 million and sold 453,000 tickets between February 11 and April 18, according to Billboard Boxscore. She won a Moon Person at the 2026 VMAs for "Safe," and told The Breakfast Club she is working on a third album she expects to release next year. For more on that VMAs night, see our report on Taylor Swift's VMA record . What's next All eyes are on the BZR WKND organisers for an update on the October 18 show, refunds and any replacement act. Cardi B says she still hopes to perform in Jamaica one day. Explore reggae , rap and more events on Entzopedia. Sources: Billboard | Jamaica Gleaner | Jamaica Observer