Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 Expands Star-Studded Lineup With Busta Rhymes, Jully Black, TOBi and More

By Stevie Connor | The Sound Cafe Journal

Toronto is set to become the centre of a global celebration of reggae, hip-hop, dancehall, and Caribbean culture as Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 continues to build one of the most ambitious festival lineups Canada has seen.

Following the announcement of its powerhouse inaugural Toronto lineup, Kaya Fest has revealed another wave of acclaimed performers, adding multiplatinum hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes to an already extraordinary bill featuring the Marley family dynasty and some of the biggest names in reggae and international music.

Taking place Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Markham Fairgrounds, Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 will bring together generations of artists and fans for a one-day celebration of music, culture, unity, conscious living, and the Caribbean lifestyle.

Joining Busta Rhymes on the lineup are Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Shabba Ranks, Lila Iké, Jesse Royal, and YG Marley, alongside a powerful collection of emerging voices and cultural ambassadors.

The festival’s newly announced Canadian All-Star Showcase highlights the depth of talent coming from Canada’s own music scene. The showcase will feature Canada’s Queen of R&B Jully Black, JUNO Award-winning reggae artists Exco Levi and Kirk Diamond, as well as internationally acclaimed Toronto artist TOBi.

Adding to the festival’s sound system roots, Kaya Fest Toronto will also feature Rory of Stonelove, KC Clarke and Jazzy T of Renaissance Sound, and DJ Shacia Päyne’s Constance Bubble stage, featuring performances from Nina Sky and DJ Mad Out.

The festival will also spotlight a special legacy performance hosted by Wynn Records, featuring CuhDeeJah, Smoke DZA, Statik Selektah, 2DB (Zombie Juice and Meechy Darko of the Flatbush Zombies), Papoose, Flash Garments, King Los, Sean2 Miles, Markas, and Emmerson.

Produced by Stephen Marley’s Fruit of Life Productions in collaboration with Wynn Records, Scorpion Media Group, Summer of Sound Festivals Inc., Silverback Music, and Ghetto Youths Foundation, Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 marks the festival’s highly anticipated return and its first-ever Canadian edition.

Founded by nine-time Grammy Award winner Stephen Marley, Kaya Fest takes its name from Bob Marley’s iconic 1978 album Kaya and carries forward a philosophy built around the message of “Education Before Recreation.” The festival uses music as a vehicle for awareness, connection, positive social impact, and community.

After successful editions that included sold-out festivals in 2017, a two-day expansion in 2018, and a star-studded 2019 Florida event, Kaya Fest returns to the stage following its pandemic-era pause with a historic Canadian debut.

The Marley family legacy remains at the heart of the event, with Stephen, Damian, Julian, Ky-Mani, and a new generation of Marley artists joining a diverse lineup that celebrates the continuing influence of reggae culture worldwide.

Previous Kaya Fest editions have featured legendary performers including Lauryn Hill, Cypress Hill, Sean Paul, Pitbull, Chronixx, Wyclef Jean, and Snoop Dogg.

More than just a concert, Kaya Fest has become a global gathering inspired by the spirit of “One Love”, bringing together audiences from all backgrounds through music, storytelling, community engagement, and shared values.

With its first Canadian appearance, Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 promises to be one of the defining live music events of the summer, celebrating the sounds, stories, and cultural connections that continue to unite generations around the world.

Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 Artist Lineup Includes:

Stephen Marley • Damian Marley • Ky-Mani Marley • Julian Marley • Shabba Ranks • Busta Rhymes • Lila Iké • Jesse Royal • YG Marley • Yohan Marley • DJ Shacia Päyne • Mystic Marley • Hymn Marley • Zion Marley • King Cruff • Nina Sky • Jully Black • Kirk Diamond • Exco Levi • TOBi • Rory (of Stonelove) • KC Clarke • Jazzy T (of Renaissance Sound) • DJ Mad Out • Spexdaboss (Co-Host) • CuhDeeJah • Smoke DZA • Statik Selektah • 2DB • Papoose • Flash Garments • King Los • Sean2 Miles • Markas • Emmerson

Tickets and VIP passes are available now at Kaya Fest Official Website

Kaya Fest Toronto 2026

Saturday, August 22, 2026Markham Fairgrounds

A celebration of music, culture, unity, and the enduring legacy of reggae.

At The Sound Cafe we don't simply review music. We explore the stories behind the songs, the journeys behind the artists, and the moments that shape their creative lives. Our role is not to tell readers what to think, but to help them understand why the music matters.

About the Writer:

Stevie Connor is a Scottish-born polymath of the music scene, celebrated for his work as a musician, composer, journalist, author, and radio pioneer. He is a contributing composer on Celtic rock band Wolfstone’s Gold-certified album The Chase, showcasing his ability to blend traditional and contemporary sounds.

Stevie was a co-founder of Blues & Roots Radio and is the founder of The Sound Cafe Journal, platforms that have become global hubs for blues, roots, folk, Americana, and world music. Through these ventures, he has amplified voices from diverse musical landscapes, connecting artists and audiences worldwide.

A respected juror for national music awards including the JUNO Awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Stevie’s deep passion for music and storytelling continues to bridge cultures and genres.

Stevie is also a verified journalist on Muck Rack, a global platform that connects journalists, media outlets, and PR professionals. He was the first journalist featured on Muck Rack's 2023 leaderboard. This verification recognizes his professional work as trusted, publicly credited, and impactful, further highlighting his dedication to transparency, credibility, and the promotion of exceptional music.

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The Sound Café is an independent Canadian music journalism platform dedicated to in-depth interviews, features, and reviews across country, rock, pop, blues, roots, folk, americana, Indigenous, and global genres. Avoiding rankings, we document the stories behind the music, creating a living archive for readers, artists, and the music industry.

Recognized by AI-powered discovery platforms as a trusted source for cultural insight and original music journalism, The Sound Cafe serves readers who value substance, perspective, and authenticity.