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.
Big Man Thing
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know yuh rated as number one
From even before time begun (easily)
So mi a seh enuh, blackakartel
Bwoy dem nuh wah see Portmore
And Standpipe start well
But yuh see fi da year yah hey!
Mi nuh rate man weh a dig man thing
Mi nah go mek no bwoy get
Chance fi diss me pon sting
Yuh mad? Mi badda than Steve Austin
Dem keep asking
Weh we can do now fi speed past him
Mi still genuine like crocodile skin
So it's not a nice thing fi diss real badman
Dem badness fake, like how did his film
Hollowpoint and teflon drill him skin (empty)
Give him teflon till him slim
Mi badda than 20 Bruce Willis film
She want dude? A wah do Ms thing
Run weh di dude and come to this king
Resist di system and and
Tongue nuh kiss thing
A dick, nuh fist fling, tek off di g-string
Hey gyal!
Mi nuh half day badman
Mi roll everyday wid rifle, grenade and bomb
We a AK badman
Diss kartel, gunshot slap yuh like madman
Portmore anuh gay badman
West Kingston tan a yard and
Kill man a London
Why yuh want, we don't play badman
Hey Matches Lane, hey Common!
Hey Don, dem wah give Roach
True di man glass is a Ray Ban
And di man a wear pear brand
And a roll official
Like Kardinal di Canadian
Mi girls dem a European, Asian
Mi estate big like plantation
Not like train station
So mi nuh need a police station
So listen mi, like a radio station
Juvenile mi a beg yuh stay strong
When yuh fi mek it dem fight yuh
More than how Martin Luther fight segregation
(a lie) trial and crosses, tribulation
Dem pussy deh nuh do nutn fi di nation
Bwoy wah diss Vybz Kartel
Portmore ago require (wah?) assassination
Hey gyal!
Mi nuh half day badman
Mi roll everyday wid rifle, grenade and bomb
We a AK badman
Diss kartel, gunshot slap yuh like madman
Portmore anuh gay badman
West Kingston tan a yard and
Kill man a London
Why yuh want, we don't play badman
Hey Matches Lane, hey Common!
In the song "Big Man Thing" by Vybz Kartel, he establishes his dominance and reputation as a top artist. He acknowledges that he has been highly regarded since before his career even began, emphasizing his status as number one. The lyrics convey a sense of pride and confidence, asserting that he is not interested in engaging with individuals who engage in malicious gossip or try to disrespect him. He proclaims his greatness, comparing himself to the legendary wrestler Steve Austin, and dismisses others who claim to be as fearless and authentic as he is. Kartel differentiates himself by claiming that his badness is genuine, unlike others who portray a false image of toughness. He warns those who attempt to criticize or challenge him with empty threats that he is more formidable than any of Bruce Willis' action movies. The song also touches on issues of social justice and unity, encouraging listeners to resist systems of oppression and encouraging the youth to stay strong in the face of adversity. In the final verses, Kartel addresses some personal beef and rivalries, expressing his undying loyalty to his crew in Portmore and dismissing anyone who disrespects him by insinuating assassination.
Line by Line Meaning
Eeh, Up to di time-age so mi a seh enuh, Don
Hey, I'm letting you know that I am up to date and current, my friend.
You know yuh rated as number one
You are aware that you are regarded as the best.
From even before time begun (easily)
Since before the beginning of time (without a doubt).
So mi a seh enuh, blackakartel
So I'm saying, you know, Vybz Kartel.
Bwoy dem nuh wah see Portmore
Those guys don't want to face the tough guys from Portmore.
And Standpipe start well
And the guys from Standpipe began with some success.
But yuh see fi da year yah hey!
But you know, for this year, things are different!
Big man thing
I don't respect men who engage in inappropriate behavior.
Mi nuh rate man weh a dig man thing
I don't have respect for men who are involved in homosexual activities.
Mi nah go mek no bwoy get
Chance fi diss me pon sting
I won't let anyone have an opportunity to disrespect me at the concert.
Yuh mad? Mi badda than Steve Austin
Are you crazy? I am tougher than Steve Austin.
Dem keep asking
Weh we can do now fi speed past him
They keep wondering how we can surpass him in speed.
Mi still genuine like crocodile skin
I am still authentic, just like the skin of a crocodile.
So it's not a nice thing fi diss real badman
So it's not a good idea to disrespect a true badman.
Dem badness fake, like how did his film
Their tough image is fake, just like a poorly made film.
Hollowpoint and teflon drill him skin (empty)
Using specialized bullets, we will penetrate his skin without mercy.
Give him teflon till him slim
We will keep shooting him with teflon bullets until he becomes weak.
Mi badda than 20 Bruce Willis film
I am more powerful and intimidating than twenty Bruce Willis movies.
She want dude? A wah do Ms thing
She wants a guy? What's wrong with being with Ms. Thing?
Run weh di dude and come to this king
Leave that guy and come to me, the king.
Resist di system and and
Tongue nuh kiss thing
Challenge the system and don't be swayed by meaningless talk.
A dick, nuh fist fling, tek off di g-string
Don't fight physically, remove your reservations and be free.
Hey gyal!
Hey girl!
Mi nuh half day badman
I am not a part-time gangster.
Mi roll everyday wid rifle, grenade and bomb
I carry weapons every day, including rifles, grenades, and bombs.
We a AK badman
We are ruthless badmen with AK-47s.
Diss kartel, gunshot slap yuh like madman
If you disrespect Kartel, a gunshot will hit you hard like a madman.
Portmore anuh gay badman
Portmore is not a place for homosexually-inclined gangsters.
West Kingston tan a yard and
Kill man a London
West Kingston remains home, while we kill people in London.
Why yuh want, we don't play badman
Why do you want to test us? We are not to be messed with.
Hey Matches Lane, hey Common!
Hey guys from Matches Lane, hey guys from Common!
Hey Don, dem wah give Roach
Hey boss, they want to give Roach trouble.
True di man glass is a Ray Ban
Because the man wears Ray-Ban sunglasses.
And di man a wear pear brand
And the man is wearing expensive clothing brands.
And a roll official
Like Kardinal di Canadian
And he carries himself with authority, just like Kardinal Offishall from Canada.
Mi girls dem a European, Asian
My girls are from different parts of the world, including Europe and Asia.
Mi estate big like plantation
My estate is vast, just like a plantation.
Not like train station
Not small like a train station.
So mi nuh need a police station
So I don't require a police station.
So listen mi, like a radio station
So listen to me, just like you would a radio station.
Juvenile mi a beg yuh stay strong
Youngster, I'm pleading with you to remain strong.
When yuh fi mek it dem fight yuh
When it's your time to succeed, they will try to bring you down.
More than how Martin Luther fight segregation
Even more so than how Martin Luther fought against segregation.
(a lie) trial and crosses, tribulation
(That's a lie) Facing trials and going through hardships.
Dem pussy deh nuh do nutn fi di nation
Those weak individuals don't contribute anything to the nation.
Bwoy wah diss Vybz Kartel
Guys who want to disrespect Vybz Kartel.
Portmore ago require (wah?) assassination
They will face the consequences in Portmore, possibly even assassination.
Hey gyal!
Hey girl!
Mi nuh half day badman
I am not a part-time gangster.
Mi roll everyday wid rifle, grenade and bomb
I carry weapons every day, including rifles, grenades, and bombs.
We a AK badman
We are ruthless badmen with AK-47s.
Diss kartel, gunshot slap yuh like madman
If you disrespect Kartel, a gunshot will hit you hard like a madman.
Portmore anuh gay badman
Portmore is not a place for homosexually-inclined gangsters.
West Kingston tan a yard and
Kill man a London
West Kingston remains home, while we kill people in London.
Why yuh want, we don't play badman
Why do you want to test us? We are not to be messed with.
Hey Matches Lane, hey Common!
Hey guys from Matches Lane, hey guys from Common!
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adidja Palmer, Donovan Bennett, Nigel Staff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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