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.
Can't Get Ova Me
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nuttin bou' man enu hombre, yah hear mi?
Question, where were you when I suffering?
Don't hate on me cuz I go for it
No wayy, yea portmore
Dem can't get me down
We nuh fraid a nuh blow dem throw
God nah mek yuh win just so
Dem can't get me down
All dem a fight dem know
We nuh fraid a nuh blow dem Joe
God nah mek yuh win just so
Do a X ray look inna yuh self & tell me if
Yuh like what you see there
How can you carry so much hate in your
Heart when a love shoulda be there?
Watchy watchy, chatty chatty
Sus sus, sus sus cya stop 'e
Eva eva have a gideon inna me back pocket
Right side a mi fat matic
Dem can't get me down
All dem a fight dem know
We nuh fraid a nuh blow dem throw
God nah mek yuh win just so
Dem can't get me down
All dem a fight dem know
We nuh fraid a nuh blow dem Joe
God nah mek yuh win just so
Seh yuh wa kill me
Boy yuh affi owe me dat like me work a COK
To mi gold chain ya draw card fi yuh fren
Pop it off, unu muss a bun cocaine
Chatty chatty, roby roby
Nah rob a bank, ya rob a
Unu stink like rotten cabbage
Mi eva have a M1 inna mi cottage
(M1 inna mi cottage)
Dem can't get me down
All dem a fight dem know
We nuh fraid a nuh blow dem throw
God nah mek yuh win just so
Dem can't get me down
All dem a fight dem know
We nuh fraid a nuh blow dem Joe
God nah mek yuh win just so
God nah mek yuh win
God nah mek yuh win, win, win just so
(Just so) god nah mek yuh win
God nah mek yuh win, win, just
Where were you when I suffering?
Don't hate on me cuz I go for it
No wayy, yea portmore
Dem can't get me down
The lyrics to Vybz Kartel's song "Can't Get Ova Me" speak to his resilience in the face of adversity and the attempts of others to bring him down. The song begins with a rhetorical question, asking where these individuals were when he was suffering. Kartel asserts that he will not be deterred by their hatred and will continue to pursue his goals. He mentions Portmore, which is a neighborhood in Jamaica, emphasizing his connection to his roots.
The chorus emphasizes Kartel's indomitable spirit. He asserts that no matter how hard his detractors fight, they cannot bring him down. He is not afraid of their empty threats and will not be defeated by them. Kartel believes that God will not allow them to succeed in their endeavors against him.
In the second verse, Kartel challenges his critics to introspect and examine themselves. He questions how they can carry so much hate in their hearts instead of love. He criticizes their habit of watching and gossiping about him, suggesting that they are unable to stop their negative behavior. He asserts his own strength by mentioning a "gideon" in his back pocket, symbolizing his protection and power.
The bridge of the song depicts Kartel's response to someone who wants to kill him. He states that this person owes him, drawing a parallel to working for a corporation and receiving payment. He also implies that their friendship is flimsy and suggests that they are involved in illicit activities like cocaine. Kartel asserts that he will not engage in criminal behavior, but still possesses the means to protect himself, as represented by an M1 gun in his cottage.
Overall, the lyrics to "Can't Get Ova Me" highlight Vybz Kartel's resilience in the face of challenges and his refusal to be affected by the negativity and hatred of others. He emphasizes his unwavering determination and trust in God to protect him.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo Liquid, boy deh nuh know
Hey Liquid, this person doesn't know anything about me, you hear me?
Nuttin bou' man enu hombre, yah hear mi?
Nothing about me, man, understand me?
Question, where were you when I suffering?
Let me ask you a question: Where were you when I was going through difficult times?
Don't hate on me cuz I go for it
Don't criticize me because I pursue what I want.
No wayy, yea portmore
Absolutely not, yes, Portmore.
Dem can't get me down
They can't bring me down.
All dem a fight dem know
Everyone who's fighting against me knows.
We nuh fraid a nuh blow dem throw
We're not afraid of any attacks they throw at us.
God nah mek yuh win just so
God won't let you win just like that.
Do a X ray look inna yuh self & tell me if
Take a deep look inside yourself and tell me if
Yuh like what you see there
You're satisfied with what you see.
How can you carry so much hate in your
How can you hold so much hatred in your
Heart when a love shoulda be there?
Heart when there should be love?
Watchy watchy, chatty chatty
Always observing, always talking
Sus sus, sus sus cya stop 'e
Suspicion, suspicion, suspicion can't be stopped
Eva eva have a gideon inna me back pocket
Always have a weapon in my back pocket
Right side a mi fat matic
Right by my fat automatic gun
Seh yuh wa kill me
Saying that you want to kill me
Boy yuh affi owe me dat like me work a COK
Boy, you owe me that as if I worked for the Correctional Officers' Corps
To mi gold chain ya draw card fi yuh fren
To my gold chain, you use your friend's credit card
Pop it off, unu muss a bun cocaine
Pop it off, you all must be high on cocaine
Chatty chatty, roby roby
Always talking, always lying
Nah rob a bank, ya rob a
I'm not robbing a bank, you're robbing
Unu stink like rotten cabbage
You all smell like rotten cabbage
Mi eva have a M1 inna mi cottage
I always have an M1 rifle in my cottage
God nah mek yuh win
God won't let you win
God nah mek yuh win, win, win just so
God won't let you win just like that
Where were you when I suffering?
Where were you when I was going through hardship?
Don't hate on me cuz I go for it
Don't resent me because I pursue what I want
No wayy, yea portmore
Absolutely not, yes, Portmore
Dem can't get me down
They can't bring me down
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ΩΨ±Ψ―ΩΨ³
Yo miller 9
Weh she get too much credit from
She call me bout a thousand times (times)
Inna di morningg (morningg) inna di evening
Inna di nighttt
Eehhh
[Chorus:]
She seh she cyan get ova mi
She tell mi she cyan get ova mi
Mi see seh she cyan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
So she cyan get ova mi
Mi aks har if she wanna be
She seh no she nuh waan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
[Verse 1:]
From she leff mi she she cyan sleep
From she leff mi she seh she cyan eat
She a watch mi like police and thief
And a threaten mi seh mi nuh safe in di street
She seh she hear seh we seh she a di least
But seh mi go a new island and go pick up denise
She tell mi seh if mi don't tek har back
She a mek sure seh mi life never inna peace
[Hook:]
But mi seh mi nuh waan you back
You text mi mi nuh text you back
Mi give you all mi love when you never deserve a once that
But mi seh mi nuh waan you back
You text mi mi nuh text you back
Mi give you all mi love and you never deserve a once that
[Chorus:]
She seh she cyan get ova mi
She tell mi she cyan get ova mi
Mi see seh she cyan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
So she cyan get ova mi
Mi aks har if she wanna be
She seh no she nuh waan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
[Verse 2:]
Mi seh not not try anodda time
Mi and 3 gal a go beach line
One a dem fi not nice one fi miller 9
And the ron 9 with di pretty black skin a mine
So baby tek mi offa a yuh mind
Yuh nah see mi back again no will no time
But mek mi tell you when you might get mi back
When di world stop spin and di sun stop shine
[Hook:]
But mi seh mi nuh waan you back
You text mi mi nuh text you back
Mi give you all my love when you never deserve a once that
But mi seh mi nuh waan you back
You text mi mi nuh text you back
Mi give you all my love when you never deserve a once that
[Chorus]
She seh she cyan get ova mi
She tell mi she cyan get ova mi
Mi see seh she cyan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
So she cyan get ova mi
Mi aks har if she wanna be
She seh no she nuh waan get ov
Keevin Salaru
2022 and still canβt get over this hit π₯ Free World Boss π
John Vidale
Still one of my favourite songs to date.
Bison
Classic Kartel track! Timeless! October 2018!
Skellisha Blacks
Still a banga in 2021π₯
Yolanda France
Taking a drive and this song just came to mind... here in June 2022
REAL YOUTH GAZA/GENAHSYDE
these song will raise again
Gaza Gxrl \x/
REAL YOUTH
Lol
Kimora-Joline Rampersad
and it didπ―π―
ΩΨ±Ψ―ΩΨ³
Yo miller 9
Weh she get too much credit from
She call me bout a thousand times (times)
Inna di morningg (morningg) inna di evening
Inna di nighttt
Eehhh
[Chorus:]
She seh she cyan get ova mi
She tell mi she cyan get ova mi
Mi see seh she cyan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
So she cyan get ova mi
Mi aks har if she wanna be
She seh no she nuh waan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
[Verse 1:]
From she leff mi she she cyan sleep
From she leff mi she seh she cyan eat
She a watch mi like police and thief
And a threaten mi seh mi nuh safe in di street
She seh she hear seh we seh she a di least
But seh mi go a new island and go pick up denise
She tell mi seh if mi don't tek har back
She a mek sure seh mi life never inna peace
[Hook:]
But mi seh mi nuh waan you back
You text mi mi nuh text you back
Mi give you all mi love when you never deserve a once that
But mi seh mi nuh waan you back
You text mi mi nuh text you back
Mi give you all mi love and you never deserve a once that
[Chorus:]
She seh she cyan get ova mi
She tell mi she cyan get ova mi
Mi see seh she cyan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
So she cyan get ova mi
Mi aks har if she wanna be
She seh no she nuh waan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
[Verse 2:]
Mi seh not not try anodda time
Mi and 3 gal a go beach line
One a dem fi not nice one fi miller 9
And the ron 9 with di pretty black skin a mine
So baby tek mi offa a yuh mind
Yuh nah see mi back again no will no time
But mek mi tell you when you might get mi back
When di world stop spin and di sun stop shine
[Hook:]
But mi seh mi nuh waan you back
You text mi mi nuh text you back
Mi give you all my love when you never deserve a once that
But mi seh mi nuh waan you back
You text mi mi nuh text you back
Mi give you all my love when you never deserve a once that
[Chorus]
She seh she cyan get ova mi
She tell mi she cyan get ova mi
Mi see seh she cyan get ova mi
A di powers deh mi abova shee
So she cyan get ova mi
Mi aks har if she wanna be
She seh no she nuh waan get ov
dassa dawn
zero dislikes!! :D lets keep it that way!