‘Bizarre’ twist Cardi B reportedly pulls out of BZR WKND

Fans of Grammy Award-winning rapper Cardi B were looking forward to her “bringing a likkle drama to Jamaica”.

However, nine days before the concert, the superstar is apparently no longer set to perform. The rapper’s team announced via a statement to Billboard that she will not appear for the highly anticipated performance, and fans are calling it bizarre. Persons who had excitedly secured tickets for the October 18 BZR WKND (Bizarre Weekend) event, scheduled for the National Stadium in St Andrew, are now on social media asking about refunds. It would have been the superstar rapper’s first-ever performance in Jamaica, as well as her first time headlining a Caribbean stadium.

Billboard had run an exclusive on August 14 that Cardi B was headlining BZR WKND, and by August 21, early bird tickets, starting at US$69.99 (approximately J$11,045), were available online only. Tier 2 tickets went on sale by August 28, with the promoters stating at the time that there was “an overwhelming demand” and that “ticket purchasers have been put in a queue to receive their official tickets”.

Subsequently, ticket prices were revealed as follows: Skyview and Cabana suites WKND pass ranged from US$5,000 to US$12,500 (approximately J$789,000 to J$1.98 million); the Cardi B VVIP Zone US$369.99 (approximately J$58,390); and at the low end were the grandstand tickets for US$129 (approximately J$20,357) and bleachers for $79.99 (approximately J$12,623), both of which were sold out. The main event on October 18 was billed as Cardi B & Friends, Cardi B ‘Likkle Miss Drama’.

On Thursday afternoon, however, Billboard was the source of another type of drama with an article stating that “Cardi B will not be performing at BZR WKND Jamaica on October 18, 2026 reads a statement from Cardi’s reps to Billboard”.

The quote further stated: “Cardi appreciates the love and support from her fans in Jamaica and hopes to see them in the future. For information regarding the status of BZR WKND Jamaica, ticketing, or other event-related matters, please contact the event organisers directly. Any information regarding Cardi B and her future performances will be communicated exclusively through Cardi B’s official channels.”

No specific reason was given by her representatives for the withdrawal. Promoters and publicists did not return requests for comment up to press time. Calls and text messages were unanswered.

“Maybe they are scrambling to find a replacement,” a source close to the team who did not wish to be named told THE WEEKEND STAR.

The four-day BZR WKND festival is scheduled to run from October 16–19, and also features host Spice, Keyshia Cole, Malie Donn, Ding Dong, and other local and international acts.