Hip-Hop Icon Busta Rhymes and Canadian Music All-Star Showcase Added to Kaya Fest Toronto

Following the announcement of its powerhouse inaugural Toronto lineup, Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 has added another wave of acclaimed performers. Multiplatinum hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes joins Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Shabba Ranks, Lila Iké, Jesse Royal, YG Marley, and many more for what is shaping up to be one of Canada’s biggest celebrations of reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, and Caribbean culture taking place on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Markham Fairgrounds. Tickets and VIP passes are on sale now at www.kaya-fest.com.

A newly announced Canadian All-Star Showcase will feature four celebrated artists: Canada’s Queen of R&B Jully Black, JUNO Award-winning reggae artists Exco Levi and Kirk Diamond, and internationally acclaimed Toronto artist TOBi. The event will also feature Rory of Stonelove, KC Clarke and Jazzy T of Renaissance Sound, and DJ Shacia Päyne’s Constance Bubble stage with performances by Nina Sky and DJ Mad Out.

In addition, Wynn Records will host a legacy performance 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 long-awaited return and promises a powerful one-day celebration of music, culture, unity, conscious living and cannabis lifestyle.

Founded by 9x Grammy Award winner Stephen Marley—singer, songwriter, producer, and son of the legendary Bob Marley—Kaya Fest is named for Bob Marley’s iconic 1978 album, Kaya, and is built around the guiding principle of “Education Before Recreation,” using music as a platform to inspire connection, awareness, and positive social impact.

Following sold-out festivals in 2017, a two-day expansion in 2018, and a star-studded 2019 edition in Florida. Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 represents a historic moment in Canadian music culture as the globally recognized festival officially returns for the first time post-pandemic, and debuts in Canada for the first time ever.

Taking place at the Markham Fairgrounds, the festival will feature an extraordinary multi-generational lineup led by members of the Marley family alongside internationally celebrated reggae and dancehall artists.

Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 Artist Lineup

• 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 (Zombie Juice and Meechy Darko of the Flatbush Zombies)

• Papoose

• Flash Garments

• King Los

• Sean2 Miles

• Markas

• Emmerson