Parillon confirms ‘minor’ BVITB sponsorship for Vybz Kartel concert
Event promoter Steve Parillon of YOLO Promotions has confirmed that the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission (BVITB) provided a small financial contribution toward the upcoming Vybz Kartel concert scheduled for Saturday, March 15.
In a recent interview with BVI News, Parillon clarified that contrary to public reports, the BVITB’s contribution was less than $10,000—significantly lower than some claims.
“We got a small fund from the Tourist Board. Everything that’s being reported—those numbers are so inaccurate,” Parillon stated.
He emphasised that BVITB sponsorships are a common practice for major local events.
“The BVITB is a sponsor, and they have always been a sponsor of our events,” he added.
Other sponsors
Parillon also acknowledged other sponsors, including: Liat 2020, Cane Garden Bay Resorts and Hotels, Roadtown Wholesale (RTW), Frozen Imports, Vivid Streaming, Fish Mobile, and central government.
The $220,000 contribution from Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley, announced in October, remains a key point of debate. While the Premier previously stated that his sponsorship would be the only government contribution, questions arose at a press conference and on the Talking Points radio show recently about whether additional public funds were provided through the BVITB.
In response, Dr Wheatley maintained that no additional government funds were allocated, though he acknowledged that the BVITB funds events independently as part of its mandate.
Premier defends funding
Defending his near-quarter-million-dollar sponsorship, Dr Wheatley argued that Vybz Kartel’s presence could have a positive impact despite concerns in the BVI.
Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was released from a Jamaican prison in 2024 after serving 13 years. His murder conviction was overturned by the UK’s Privy Council. Meanwhile, the BVI Christian Council (BVICC) issued a statement on Friday, March 7, strongly criticising the government’s financial support of the concert.
The BVICC acknowledged that it was too late to stop the event, but stated that they had urged the Premier to avoid financially supporting similar events in the future.
“We informed the Premier, in no uncertain terms, of our disappointment in the government’s financial support of the Vybz Kartel concert, as the messaging of this activity directly contravenes our Christian principles and greatly impacts our cultural and moral trajectory,” the BVICC stated.
Promoter highlights concert’s regional impact
Parillon, however, insisted that the concert would be hugely beneficial to the BVI, as it marks Kartel’s first performance in over 13 years outside of Jamaica.
He also revealed that the event will feature other international acts, including Skillibeng and Jah Vinci, along with surprise guest performances.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
You seem to believe that people are against you, but big man, you keep biting more than you can chew. I would have understood if you wanted an event like a music festival like SK, but you rushed to secure it and did this massive lavish promotion with people’s money. No one is excited about this event, no matter how you try to spin it. You have failed the community with the way you did this.
Next time, save your own money and get more reputable sponsors on your side. Stop acting like Tola Drake.
Just because you fat and unattractive don’t ruin fun for everybody else. Since nobody interested go find a good ticket to the show now.
Don’t forget west sponsor guys
We just can’t announce it like tola radio lol
no lies told, he was who sponsor the difference, including the stage.
@ wash it up if this true Parrillon swimming in the Altantic ocean with the sharks the last investment that West did the fat man had to sell his ferry boat and all his beautiful red safari trucks what parrillon promise look trouble.
Steve jump straight into the shark filled waters with the alligators circling and we know how dangerous sharks and alligators are. If a business man is running a business one of the number rules is if you don’t have funds to cover the check, don’t write the check. If it starts bad, it will end bad. Dude, you got in over your head as they say trying to clout chase and floss. Is it really worth it Steve? Come Saturday night the real flip or flop will reveal itself.
No wonder the promoter was with his drill building the stage for the S..t show because no one wanted to be involved in the mess. I read it somewhere on a blog where a blogger said they wound not be surprise if arrangements is being made to sneak WB out of the prison to watch the show and watch his investment that he put towards the show. Don’t get mad with WB, Steve went to him. I would appreciate it if Steve tell let the artist know not to let his woman know she cannot light up no joint and passing it to her man while he is on stage. This is not Jamaica. Weed is illegal in the BVI.
So hold up!! Why would a promoter stoop that low to get money from a man that is in prison to sponsor a concert? Where is the prison man money coming from? Sounds to me like money washing and cleaning. This needs to be investigated.
How is it legal for a man that is sitting in jail give/lend a promoter money to help sponsor a concert. Isn’t that illegal? correct me if you may. The promoter is way in over his head and he knows that rather than out here telling lies and twisting things. News Flash!! EVERYONE KNOWS THAT YOU ACCEPT MONEY FROM WS THE FAMOUS PRISONER UP ON THE HILL TO SPONSOR A CONCERT. WOOWWWWW MIND BOGGLING. WHAT IS WB PAYMENT IN RETURN?
WB been out long time. Check your sources.
Did West put up money to help sponsor the concert? It ain’t no secret.You see all the confusion lies and deceit you caused Steve? You let down your Community in a big way Steve.
If the surprise guess is nasty mouth crazy Popcaan.
popcaan is the surprise guest, I better get my ticket!
Well it’s a wash ppl! Dirty $ in, cleaned out. Since FIA and other agencies have agents working for the opps; no investigations into the finances funding these events. No accountability of tax payers funds that are commingled
Oh yeahhhhhhhhh. The rinse cycle is getting tired .
Only a matter of time, bruh!
no more doggone lies
The adjectives we use for other people’s $$$ is always interesting to me.
The point remains that this is a poor job of fiscal management by all parties involved and this could only happen due to citizens’ tax dollars and that is not what tax dollars are used for. The disrepect shown to the tax payer is astounding. I am all for the show if a private promter who could afford it was doing it but we have a clout chaser paying more for hype, because that’s what they value, and a finance minister who wants people to be entertained rather than get value for their $$$. That being said I hope the show does well and that guests come and enjoy it.
I could use a minor sponsorship for nonsense where is the application form?
I just want this S t0 hurry up and be over and done with. After all this bad publicity I don’t know how people is willing to pay money to come down here for a VYBZ concert. Hope they enjoy the pot holes and the lack of proper running water to take a proper bath or shower. Heard the tickets is around $1,400 when he have his show in NYC.
This whole thing smell fishy and it aint from the fish you sellin pardna.
how basic comfort care for hospital patients is unable to be paid for but tax money go to from gov and tourist board for this? The Trini people spoke up and demanded cancel this for carnival because it didn’t fit trini culture? What we doing BVI?
The thieves and crooks is going to be out hunting to see who they can rob. Y’all know people here is on a stealing frenzy. Down to people pets they are stealing. I don’t even leave my dog unattended in the yard. Someone steal my dog everyone on the Island is going to pay the price.The innocent will suffer for the guilty
Is it is only a tiny additional amount of cash like less than $10k, THEN WHY DID YOU NEED IT? Government fine done spent $300kx and West done spent another $300k! So why you need $10k more? Done broke and the show ain’t start yet! Watch the bills and people who won’t get paid after this! Steve going right back to bed for more sponsorship from govt. he does the same thing for every show he does!
So government partnered with a criminal enterprise under investigation (W*). to put on a show featuring a known murderer????