He was born at Kingston's Victoria Jubilee Hospital, and was one of six children. Originally from Waterhouse, Kingston, he was raised in the Waterford district in the community Portmore, Jamaica. Adidja attended Calabar High School in Kingston but was expelled as a teenager. Determined to continue his education, he completed his studies at a tutorial technical school.
He was exposed to a wide variety of music from a tender age by two uncles who were themselves aspiring musicians. Every weekend he was treated to new musical offerings, on his uncle's old component set, ranging from Sam Cooke to country and western ballads to Ninja Man, who became one of his musical heroes.
At 10 his favorites included artists as diverse as Ninja Man, Papa San, Charlie Chaplin, Will Smith and KRS-1, all of whose lyrics he would study word-for-word, performing them later for friends.
He decided he wanted to be a deejay and began writing his own lyrics when he was 11. Eager to flaunt his skills, Adidja and his friends frequented the weekly Gong Talent Show at the Coney Amusement Park on the outskirts of Kingston. To their chagrin, they were always gonged off when they got a chance to perform.
Undeterred by his weekly failure to impress the talent show audience, Adidja decided to hone his skills and concentrate on winning over his own community of Waterford until he was ready for bigger things. With that goal in mind, on weekends he would practise on neighborhood sound systems Soul Signal and Electric Force.
In 1993, Adidja recorded his first single, "Love Fat Woman," for Alvin Reid's One Heart Label under the name Adi Banton, a name he chose in tribute to a role model, Buju Banton. He recorded several more tracks for local producers, perfecting his craft.
In 1996 he and two friends, Mr. Lee and a singer called Escobar, decided to form a group. One night, after watching a movie about Pablo Escobar and his infamous cartel, Adidja came up with a name for his trio: Vibes Cartel.
Vybz Kartel's new role as Killer's protege caught the attention of the public and led to a meteoric career rise, first as a ghost-writer for Bounty, Elephant Man and other members of the Scare Dem Crew, followed by collaborations with Bounty Killer, such as "Gal Clown" and "Girls Like Mine (Liquid Riddim)."
He came into his own with early hits like "Gun Clown," "Guns Like Mine (Trafalga Riddim)," "Badman (Panty Raid Riddim)," "Bus Mi Gun Like Nuttn," "Most High (Mexican Riddim)" and "War Organizer (Clappas Riddim)." He also had a string of successful collaborations with Wayne Marshall, including "New Millennium (Mad Antz Riddim)," "Why (Krazy Riddim)" and "Why Again (Good To Go Riddim)." This unprecedented debut led to Vybz Kartel being crowned 2002 Deejay of the Year at Stone Love's 30th anniversary, a feat unmatched by any new artist in dancehall.
Kartel has--aside from incredible rhymes and subtle, clever pop culture references--a unique lyrical flow all his own. It is to be noted that Kartel rarely does dance "chunes" along the lines of Elephant man or Beenie Man. Nevertheless, he has already had several high-profile collaborations with international hip-hop and pop stars, and is being touted as the next big thing in dancehall.
In terms of singles sold, he has had the second-best year on the 2003 reggae charts, outsold only by Elephant Man, and has released two albums this year for UK label Greensleeves. He was featured twice on the Def Jamaica project, and nominated for Source, VIBE and UK MOBO awards. His MOBO nominations, along with those of Beenie Man, Elephant Man and Sizzla, were subsequently withdrawn over concerns of homophobia, a common issue with dancehall reggae in general.
His video for "New Millennium/Why," with Wayne Marshall, though decidedly low-budget, has seen play on MTV. His underground following is so large that a bootleg version of, in his own words, "a very, very low budget film" made in 2001 has begun circulating. He has two albums, several mixtapes and a prolific library of singles.
In 2005, Vybz and Bountkiller fell out after Vybz preformed a song with Di Angel, Beenie's former girl, "Yuh Know Yuh Baby Father." Vybz walked out of the Alliance. Aidonia also left, because he took Vybz side, falling out with Busy Signal and making the song "Adid A Mi Daddy Who Wa Vex Wan Vex." It was said Vybz took side with Beenie by showing up at his wedding. Vybz said Beenie was his artist and would not and that's as far as it went. Afterwards, he and Movado which led to throwing of words through songs like "Movado di Failla," "Them Start War and Dead" and "Them a Pu@#* Pon di Battle." But this mis happas only made Mr.Palmer express his war side.
Vybz is the head of the territorial gangland in Portmore known as the Gaza and Mavado is the same for the Gully. Due to their feud a physical war arose between people in the two areas. Fans loyal to each artist have taken part as well. Their fan base in the youths has been seen, as entire schools claiming to be Gully or Gaza supporters have been known not just in Jamaica but in other Caribbean countries such as Trinidad to break out into physical war resulting in stabbings and street fights.
Following the 2009 Summit of the Americas the Jamaican government called a meetings between Vybz Kartel and Mavado calling on them to end the war. Since its conclusion both artists have turned away from war songs and focused on different topics, Kartel on women and Mavado on uplifting the people, although both still make songs of all types.
Following differences with record label Greensleeves, Vybz Kartel changed his name to Addi Di Teacha near the end of 2006. All new material he produces will be released under this name. Greensleeves will continue to release his older, unreleased material under the name Vybz Kartel.
He now owns the label Portmore Empire, founded in 2007, on which releases new deejays' music. To clear up why this was done he had an interview with Antony Miller. "If I had join Moffia House, I would be taking side which I said I would not do," he said.
He owns a rum called STREET VYBZ as well as a condom line called DAGGERING.
Recently, he collaborated with artists like D.I. aka Daniel and Di Angel--Beenie man's former wife. But that's another story...
In 2011 Kartel has recently come under fire for bleaching his skin, something that is frowned upon in Jamaican culture and even Kartel spoken against it in past songs. He has come under even more fire for his rumored involvement in devil worship with a satanic group known as the Illuminati, which is known to have other popular musicains such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna.
12 Gauge
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah bare riffle dem dong a get kick wid
(long time)
Worse mi go get ah new ting from liquid (wha)
Mi have a 12 gauge wey name chesta
Bus up yuh chess Sa
Nozzle ah the gun alone long like a dressa
Borderline just get a shot gun weh mek
Bulletproof tun good mesh marina
Dis Saturday night yuh must mek Sunday gleana
If mi go jail mi no get court subpoena
Which pussy ago come ah court pon a man like
Tesha Milla wey wi stab out yuh bladda
Waterhouse man kill Madda and Fatha
Mash Pen, Rivervalley step up murda saga
Jungle mek Feds nuh stand up near the borda
And Matches lane AK them nuh maaga
South and Tela work hot like Movada
Yuh back board Brackfort riffle boarda
Common AK pull you dong like a lawda
Vybz Kartel nuh live by nuh orda
Park lane man them wi shot up yuh Prada
May Pen, Jerome, adid real don dada
Skeng Don remain as the fada
Hundred lane have a ingram wey bun like lava
Big up Tivalley from top ten to Java
Prezi AK bus yuh head like guava
Delavaga that a mi bloodclaat yarda
Mi a real badman (uknow)
Buss gun anywey mi feel like (yeah)
Every ends haffi rate Kartel (rrr)
Cause them know mi nuh people wid people
(u neva know) mi a real badman (yeah)
Buss gun anywey mi feel like (rrr)
Notice da tune yah nuh rhyme (yeah)
Cause mi waan get my point across
Pateland mek the plane land
Marky ah spray man
Backto and Dela creek man dem nuh play man
Village to Mackon nuh gi boy nuh black eye
Bullet chap him up like chicken from Popeye
Cassava piece man ah the real McCoy
Grands pen glak bun dem up like hot oil
Caan dis Jah Rock lane Paula dem strap eye
Fuck when Mandeville sey ah road block eye
Back Bush, Stand Pipe, wave unno glak eye
Dis Warricka a pure riffle ah shot eye
Friendship lane have gun name bye bye
Top Range, Brandon Hill gun dem go scaldie!
Sherlock ready fi star war like Jedi
Brook valley bus it inna face if yuh redey
Rasta from Judgment yard kill a Dred eye
Diss Jungle 12 inna coffin you ah lie
The lyrics of Vybz Kartel's song "12 Gauge" contain vivid descriptions of the artist's experiences and actions as a badman in his community. The song begins with Kartel mentioning his acquisition of a new weapon, a 12 gauge shotgun, referred to as "chesta." He boasts about the power and length of the gun, likening it to a dressa (dress), suggesting its imposing size. Kartel then discusses his intent to use the gun to take out his enemies, delivering lead to their heads and bringing death upon them. He also mentions various areas and individuals associated with violence and murder, highlighting the dangerous nature of his surroundings and affiliations.
In the chorus, Kartel asserts his identity as a real badman, emphasizing his willingness to use guns wherever and whenever he desires. He notes that his reputation precedes him, and his peers consider him a formidable figure who doesn't associate with ordinary people. Kartel's intention in creating this song is to make his point clear, disregarding any concerns about rhyming or poetic structure, as long as his message is understood.
Line by Line Meaning
Yow Delly (eeeh)
Hey Delly, listen up
Ah bare riffle dem dong a get kick wid
A lot of rifles are being fired
(long time)
It has been happening for a while
Worse mi go get ah new ting from liquid (wha)
And now I have acquired a new weapon
Mi have a 12 gauge wey name chesta
I possess a 12 gauge shotgun called 'chesta'
Bus up yuh chess Sa
It will destroy your chest, sir
Nozzle ah the gun alone long like a dressa
The gun's nozzle alone is as long as a dress
Dis mi yuh dead Sa lead inna yuh head Sa
If you disrespect me, you'll end up dead with a bullet in your head
Borderline just get a shot gun weh mek
Near the border, they just acquired a shotgun that
Bulletproof tun good mesh marina
Can shoot through bulletproof vests with ease
Dis Saturday night yuh must mek Sunday gleana
If you disturb me on Saturday night, you won't live to see Sunday
If mi go jail mi no get court subpoena
Even if I am arrested, I won't receive a court summons
Which pussy ago come ah court pon a man like
Who would dare take someone like me to court?
Tesha Milla wey wi stab out yuh bladda
Tesha Milla, we will stab you in the bladder
Waterhouse man kill Madda and Fatha
Someone from Waterhouse killed their mother and father
Mash Pen, Rivervalley step up murda saga
In Mash Pen and Rivervalley, the murder situation has intensified
Jungle mek Feds nuh stand up near the borda
The Jungle area makes the police hesitant near the border
And Matches lane AK them nuh maaga
The people from Matches Lane with AKs are not weak
South and Tela work hot like Movada
In South and Tela, the conflict is intense
Yuh back board Brackfort riffle boarda
In Brackfort, rifles are readily available
Common AK pull you dong like a lawda
A regular AK will shoot you down quickly
Vybz Kartel nuh live by nuh orda
Vybz Kartel doesn't abide by any rules
Park lane man them wi shot up yuh Prada
Men from Park Lane will shoot and damage your Prada
May Pen, Jerome, adid real don dada
In May Pen and Jerome, the true dons reside
Skeng Don remain as the fada
Skeng Don continues to be the father figure
Hundred lane have a ingram wey bun like lava
In Hundred Lane, there is an Ingram that burns like lava
Big up Tivalley from top ten to Java
Shout out to Tivalley from the highest ranks to the lowest
Prezi AK bus yuh head like guava
Prezi's AK will shoot your head like a guava
Delavaga that a mi bloodclaat yarda
Delavaga, that's my bloody yard
Mi a real badman (uknow)
I am a true badman (you know)
Buss gun anywey mi feel like (yeah)
I will shoot my gun anywhere I want (yeah)
Every ends haffi rate Kartel (rrr)
Every neighborhood must respect Kartel (rrr)
Cause them know mi nuh people wid people
Because they know I don't associate with ordinary people
(u neva know) mi a real badman (yeah)
(You never know) I am a true badman (yeah)
Buss gun anywey mi feel like (rrr)
I will shoot my gun anywhere I want (rrr)
Notice da tune yah nuh rhyme (yeah)
Notice that this song doesn't rhyme (yeah)
Cause mi waan get my point across
Because I want to convey my message
Pateland mek the plane land
Pateland makes the airplane land
Marky ah spray man
Marky is shooting at people
Backto and Dela creek man dem nuh play man
The men from Backto and Dela Creek don't mess around
Village to Mackon nuh gi boy nuh black eye
From Village to Mackon, they won't hesitate to give someone a black eye
Bullet chap him up like chicken from Popeye
Bullets will tear him apart, similar to chicken from Popeye's
Cassava piece man ah the real McCoy
Men from Cassava Piece are true badmen
Grands pen glak bun dem up like hot oil
In Grands Pen, they burn them up like hot oil
Caan dis Jah Rock lane Paula dem strap eye
Don't disrespect the men from Jah Rock Lane, Paula will shoot you
Fuck when Mandeville sey ah road block eye
Forget about the roadblocks in Mandeville
Back Bush, Stand Pipe, wave unno glak eye
In Back Bush and Stand Pipe, they are ready to shoot at you
Dis Warricka a pure riffle ah shot eye
In Warricka, there are constant shootings with rifles
Friendship lane have gun name bye bye
In Friendship Lane, they have guns named 'bye bye'
Top Range, Brandon Hill gun dem go scaldie!
In Top Range and Brandon Hill, the guns are extremely hot!
Sherlock ready fi star war like Jedi
Sherlock is ready for a war like a Jedi
Brook valley bus it inna face if yuh redey
In Brook Valley, they will shoot you in the face if you're ready
Rasta from Judgment yard kill a Dred eye
Rasta from Judgment Yard kills anyone who messes with him
Diss Jungle 12 inna coffin you ah lie
If you disrespect Jungle, you'll end up in a coffin, this is not a lie
Lyrics ยฉ RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Its D
any vybz with this deep vocals is fireeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Philson Jeremiah
Straight ๐ฅ
MJ
Facts๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Shabba 7
๐ฏ
The Trinidadian Connection
This guy is a boss
P
2016 and this song still kicking big up the fucking WORL BOSS๐ฏ
A.Simz
it hit hard
Young Tracian
2020 and the 12 gauge still a buss up chest๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Marlon Mitchell
this tune is classic asf
๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฌ
Nearing the end of 2019 and this still a banger!! Gaza World