Gaza vs Gully 2026 @ The O2 Review

Gaza or Gully? At The O2, picking a side felt secondary to enjoying two dancehall GOATs under one roof. Vybz Kartel and Mavado brought their heavyweight catalogues to London for an occasion loaded with history, nostalgia and plenty of opportunities to test how many lyrics you remembered. We came ready for a good night and certainly had fun getting stuck into the celebrations.

Few rivalries have left such a lasting impression on dancehall. Kartel and Mavado helped define an era, with their music travelling far beyond Jamaica and becoming essential listening at parties across the UK. Seeing the former rivals share the spotlight gave this London gathering its significance. The competitive spirit behind Gaza and Gully remained part of the story, but celebration was the order of the evening.

With catalogues this deep, nostalgia was always going to do some heavy lifting. These are artists whose records come attached to memories, from packed dance floors to somebody passionately explaining why their favourite could never lose a clash. Bringing that legacy into an arena made the occasion feel special, with the music offering plenty of reasons to leave the serious faces at home.

Spotting familiar faces from across the UK scene added to the enjoyment. There was almost as much people watching as stage watching, giving the evening the feel of a musical reunion. Everyone had their own connection to the artists, but sharing the space made that appreciation feel collective.

An event carrying this much history naturally comes with enormous expectations. For us, though, the biggest takeaway was straightforward: we enjoyed ourselves. Watching Vybz Kartel and Mavado, catching familiar faces and celebrating dancehall in London made for a memorable outing. Whether you arrived waving the Gaza flag or backing Gully, there was real pleasure in witnessing these two giants together.