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.
Calabria Remix
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dem ongle waan kill great people
(Me)Marcus Garvey(Malcom X), Marley Bob, Marthin Luther, Paul Bogle, George William Gordon(Nanny), Sam Sharp
Jesus Christ, Haile Selassie, Mohammad,?? Donovan Bennett(Oh!)
(Ah ahhhh)
I wanna you fi know
Prezi was a good man
(From my soul trust in you)
Dem waan mi fi go inna di cemetery
But anyway mi go mi bible deh near mi
It comin like a madda and har likkle baby
Was how Selassie I blessing protect mi
Dem waan mi go prison and inna jailhouse
But anyway mi go mi bible deh near mi
Mi been through di star Jah keep mi irie
That's why mi haffi chant Jehovia joy
Listen mi ghetto youths
Babylon nuh like wi
A just through wi black and through wi nuh Chiney
Di teacha a work di pay so tiny
Di nurse dem a work di pay so tiny
A who fraid fi talk Gaza seh bravey
Cah dat nuh working dat a my damn slavery
That's why mi tell di youth dem fi stay inna school,
Cah education alone a go save wi
De-dem waan mi fi go inna di cemetery
But anyway mi go mi bible deh near mi
It comin like a madda and har likkle baby
Was how Selassie I blessing protect mi
Dem waan mi go prison and inna jailhouse
But anyway mi go mi bible deh near mi
Mi been through di storm Jah keep mi irie
That's why mi haffi chant Jehovia joy
Di boss man a itch fi raise a bill mi
Like seh a fi him dinna alone fi taste it
Sunday you nah have mutton mi a nyam pastry
A patty and a one Cocoa Bread a tasty
Mi seh ghetto youths
It a go sound crazy
Put dung di machine nuh move so hasty
Nuh box woman nuh care she feisty
Cah Babylon?? fi wi mek a wrong move
Dem waan mi fi go inna di cemetery
But anyway mi go mi bible deh near mi
It comin like a madda and har likkle baby
Was how Selassie I blessing protect mi
Dem waan mi go prison and inna jailhouse
But anyway mi go mi bible deh near mi
Mi been through di storm Jah keep mi irie
That's why mi haffi chant Jehovia joy
(Listen mi ghetto youths)
Di system betray wi
Dem a kill wi inna practical and inna theory
Mi done tell dem yuh seh mi dont watch duppy show
Cah mi light and mi wata bill so scarey
Yuh condemn di ghetto mi seet so clearly
Mi nah be feel di pressure in body weary
Mi won't be feel di pressure all body wear mi
Di too a dem work fi gi wi a betta life
Babylon thus a kill off people pickney
Revolution mi seh da system ya sickny
A Marcus Garvey philosophy fix mi
Cah mi see dem waan hide black people history
But mi haffi seh
Ah ahhhh ahh
I wanna yuh fi know
Prezi was a good man
Be merciful to me oh Jah, be merciful to me
From my soul trust in you
The lyrics of Vybz Kartel's song Calabria Remix discusses the struggles of living under the oppressive rule of Babylon, a metaphor for the oppressive system. The system does not want greatness and aims to kill off great people such as Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Bob Marley, Martin Luther, Nanny, Sam Sharp, George William Gordon, Haile Selassie, Jesus Christ, and Mohammad. The singer acknowledges that they are being targeted by the system and are being encouraged to go to jail or die, but he will not succumb to their threats. The singer believes that their faith and belief in Jah will protect them from harm. The singer urges ghetto youths to stay in school and educate themselves to rise above the oppression they face.
The references to Selassie, a former Ethiopian Emperor and religious icon, and Jamaica's national heroes such as Nanny, Sam Sharp, George William Gordon, and Paul Bogle, emphasizes the strong cultural ties between Jamaica and Africa. It reflects the strong sense of pride and identity Jamaicans hold for their African roots. The use of biblical references to Jah and the promise of divine protection emphasizes the spiritual aspect of the Rastafarian lifestyle, which often emphasizes spirituality and moral righteousness over worldly possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
Babylon a build great people
The powers that be are creating and nurturing great leaders.
Dem ongle waan kill great people
However, they only want to destroy and kill these same great people.
(Me)Marcus Garvey(Malcom X), Marley Bob, Marthin Luther, Paul Bogle, George William Gordon(Nanny), Sam Sharp
These are some of the great people that are being built up but also being targeted for destruction.
Jesus Christ, Haile Selassie, Mohammad,?? Donovan Bennett(Oh!)
These are other leaders and figures who are respected and revered.
I wanna you fi know
I want you to understand.
Prezi was a good man
Prezi was a respected and influential individual.
Be merciful to me oh Jah(be merciful to me)
I am asking for divine mercy and protection.
(From my soul trust in you)
I have full faith in you from the depths of my being.
Dem waan mi fi go inna di cemetery
The oppressors want to take away my life and send me to the grave.
But anyway mi go mi bible deh near mi
Despite this, I keep my faith close to me and believe in the power of the bible.
It comin like a madda and har likkle baby
The strength and protection of Haile Selassie feels like a mother and her baby.
Was how Selassie I blessing protect mi
This is how I am protected by the divine blessing of Selassie I.
Dem waan mi go prison and inna jailhouse
The authorities also want to imprison and lock me up.
Mi been through di star Jah keep mi irie
However, I have been through it all and am still at peace thanks to Jah.
That's why mi haffi chant Jehovia joy
That's why I must keep singing and praising Jehova with joy.
Listen mi ghetto youths
Young people from the ghetto, please listen to me.
Babylon nuh like wi
Those in power do not have our best interests at heart.
A just through wi black and through wi nuh Chiney
We are discriminated against because of our African roots and because we are not Chinese.
Di teacha a work di pay so tiny
Teachers work for very little pay.
Di nurse dem a work di pay so tiny
Nurses also work for very little pay.
A who fraid fi talk Gaza seh bravey
Who is afraid to say they are from Gaza? Be strong!
Cah dat nuh working dat a my damn slavery
This is not working out; it is slavery.
That's why mi tell di youth dem fi stay inna school,
This is why I urge young people to stay in school.
Cah education alone a go save wi
Education will be our saving grace.
Di boss man a itch fi raise a bill mi
The boss wants me to pay more money.
Like seh a fi him dinna alone fi taste it
As if only he should benefit.
Sunday you nah have mutton mi a nyam pastry
I can only afford to eat pastry on Sundays.
A patty and a one Cocoa Bread a tasty
A Jamaican patty and a piece of bread are quite delicious.
Mi seh ghetto youths
I say to the young people from the ghetto,
It a go sound crazy
This may sound crazy,
Put dung di machine nuh move so hasty
Slow down and take your time with the machine.
Nuh box woman nuh care she feisty
Don't hit women, even if they are feisty.
Cah Babylon?? fi wi mek a wrong move
Babylon wants us to make a mistake.
Di system betray wi
The system has let us down.
Dem a kill wi inna practical and inna theory
Our people are being killed, both in practical circumstances and in theoretical ideas.
Mi done tell dem yuh seh mi dont watch duppy show
I have ignored ghost stories and not fallen for superstitions.
Cah mi light and mi wata bill so scarey
Because my electricity and water bills are so high.
Yuh condemn di ghetto mi seet so clearly
You condemn the ghetto quite clearly.
Mi nah be feel di pressure in body weary
I will not feel physically worn down by the pressure.
Mi won't be feel di pressure all body wear mi
I will not let stress consume my entire being.
Di too a dem work fi gi wi a betta life
Both the oppressed and the oppressors are working for a better life.
Babylon thus a kill off people pickney
Babylon (the establishment) is killing off young people.
Revolution mi seh da system ya sickny
I say it's time for a revolution β the system is ill.
A Marcus Garvey philosophy fix mi
The philosophy of Marcus Garvey has helped me.
Cah mi see dem waan hide black people history
I see that they are trying to erase black people's history.
Ah ahhhh ahh
A wailing sound.
Be merciful to me oh Jah, be merciful to me from my soul trust in you
I repeat my plea for divine mercy and protection and affirm my trust in Jah from my innermost being.
Contributed by Penelope Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ladyshanl
Canβt even begin to explain how LONG Iβve been looking for this shiieettt!!! π€¦πΎββοΈππΎπ THANK U! ππΎ
@ltgemini1599
We had this in zumba 100 years ago. Still vibing. Jan 2024.ππππ
@Friocuidando
Was looking for this shxt for years
@nichole1659
Me too
@hombremusic6825
Me too enno
@sallysammy7498
Me too
@JellyBeann305
Omg Me Too .
@MastaSixxYT
Sme here as well
@kikibrii9028
2023 and this song is still π₯
@22Afk
GAZA FOREVER
PLAY KARTEL