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.
Children Are Our Future
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
41 dead last year, jah know star
All a who rape likkle pickiny fi dead
All a who shoot likkle pickiny fi dead
All a who hurt likkle pickiny fi dead
Mi no know a wa fly up inna dem man yah head but
Teach dem well an let dem lead the way
Show dem all the beauty they posses inside
Give dem a saints of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter
Remind us how we us to be
Everyday about 10 pickiny missing
Police seh the crime scene clean like a whistle
But anybody dweet mi a beg unu fi listen
If mi ever hold unu mi naw send unu go prison
Unu grave dig already unu naw get no coffin
When mi done wid unu mi no care wa waan happen
Mummy watch yo girl when yo carry are go shopping
Daddy watch yo son likkle bwoy no fi gotten
Meck wi search up the coob fi the egg dem wa rotten
A no one man thing is a community bottle
Mi watch yo kids fi yuh, yuh watch mi kids fi mi
Call the police if yo hear nothing fishy
Big man wear yo size like lieutenant Stitchy
Don't touch the likkle girl mi no care if shi pretty
Run yuh down wid the magnum a no Scatta
When yo hear la, la, la, la, la, la, a no Mrs Kitty
I believe the children are our future
Teach dem well an let dem lead the way
Show dem all the beauty they posses inside
Give dem a saints of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter
Remind us how we us to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfilled my needs
A lovely place to be
An so I learn to depend on me
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live desirably
No matter what they take from me
They can take away my dignity
Because am greatest, the love of all
Is happening to me, it's happening to me
I found the greatest love of all inside of me
The lyrics of Vybz Kartel & Gaza Slim's "Children Are Our Future" are a powerful message conveying concern about the well-being of children in Jamaica. The song addresses the alarming rate of violence against children in the country. In the first verse, the artists paint a grim reality of the current situation where roughly 1,600 children have been killed in the past 12 years, and 41 died just the previous year. They call out those who rape, shoot, and hurt children, expressing their disbelief and puzzlement regarding what could possibly make someone harm innocent children.
The chorus of the song delivers a positive message of hope and inspiration, as the artists express their belief in the potential of children and their capacity to lead the way forward. The song encourages us to teach children well, recognize their beauty and worth, and help them build their self-esteem and confidence to face the world with courage. The second verse further highlights the urgency of the issue, stating that ten children go missing every day, and the police often find no evidence of the crime, making it challenging to bring the perpetrators to justice. The artists urge everyone to take responsibility for their children's safety and keep a watchful eye out, as well as report any suspicious behavior or abduction attempts immediately to the authorities.
Overall, "Children Are Our Future" sends a powerful message of concern, hope, and inspiration, reminding us of the critical need to protect and nurture the well-being of our children to ensure a brighter future for all.
Line by Line Meaning
1600 pickiny dem kill inna 12 year
In the past 12 years, a staggering 1600 children have been murdered.
41 dead last year, jah know star
Last year alone, 41 children lost their lives to violent crimes. It's truly heartbreaking.
All a who rape likkle pickiny fi dead
Anyone who sexually assaults a child deserves to face the ultimate punishment.
All a who shoot likkle pickiny fi dead
No mercy for those who shoot a child. It's a despicable and evil act.
All a who hurt likkle pickiny fi dead
Violence against children should not be tolerated. Those who harm them should pay the price with their own lives.
Mi no know a wa fly up inna dem man yah head but
I have no idea what goes through these men's minds to commit such heinous crimes against children.
I believe the children are our future
Our children are the most precious resource we have. They are the future of our society and we must cherish and protect them.
Teach dem well an let dem lead the way
We owe it to our children to give them the best education and guidance so that they can become the leaders of tomorrow.
Show dem all the beauty they posses inside
Children have so much to offer the world. We need to help them discover their own unique talents and beauty.
Give dem a saints of pride to make it easier
When we instill a sense of pride in our children, it makes it easier for them to overcome challenges and succeed in life.
Let the children's laughter
There's nothing more uplifting than hearing the sound of children's laughter. It reminds us of the joy and innocence of childhood.
Remind us how we us to be
Children have a way of reminding us of what's important in life. They bring us back to a simpler time when the world was full of wonder and possibilities.
Everyday about 10 pickiny missing
Every day, approximately 10 children are reported missing. It's a terrifying thought for any parent.
Police seh the crime scene clean like a whistle
The police say that the crime scenes are spotlessly clean, making it difficult to find evidence and bring the perpetrators to justice.
But anybody dweet mi a beg unu fi listen
But I'm begging you to listen to what I'm saying. We need to do whatever it takes to protect our children.
If mi ever hold unu mi naw send unu go prison
If I ever catch anyone harming a child, I won't let them go to prison. I'll ensure they never get the chance to hurt another child again.
Unu grave dig already unu naw get no coffin
Those who harm children are already digging their own graves. They won't receive any mercy in death.
When mi done wid unu mi no care wa waan happen
When I'm done with those who harm children, I won't care what happens to them. They won't be able to do any more damage.
Mummy watch yo girl when yo carry are go shopping
Mothers, be vigilant when you're out shopping with your daughters. There are predators out there who will stop at nothing to harm them.
Daddy watch yo son likkle bwoy no fi gotten
Fathers, watch over your sons. They are just as vulnerable to harm as young girls.
Meck wi search up the coob fi the egg dem wa rotten
Let's work together to uncover the root of the problem and put an end to the cycle of violence against children.
A no one man thing is a community bottle
Stopping child abuse is not the responsibility of one person. Everyone in the community needs to work together to keep our children safe.
Mi watch yo kids fi yuh, yuh watch mi kids fi mi
Let's all watch out for each other's children. We're in this together.
Call the police if yo hear nothing fishy
If something doesn't seem right, don't hesitate to call the police. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Big man wear yo size like lieutenant Stitchy
Real men stand up for what's right and protect the innocent. They don't prey on the weak and vulnerable.
Don't touch the likkle girl mi no care if shi pretty
It doesn't matter how pretty a little girl is. No one has the right to touch her inappropriately or sexually assault her.
Run yuh down wid the magnum a no Scatta
I'll come after you with everything I've got if you harm a child. There will be no mercy.
When yo hear la, la, la, la, la, la, a no Mrs Kitty
If you hear gunshots in the distance, don't assume it's just firecrackers. It could be a deadly weapon being fired at an innocent child.
Everybody searching for a hero
People are always looking for someone to look up to and admire. We should all strive to be heroes for our children.
People need someone to look up to
Having a role model to emulate is crucial for a child's development. It gives them someone to aspire to be like.
I never found anyone to fulfilled my needs
I never had a role model growing up who fulfilled all my needs. It's important for children to have someone they can rely on and trust.
A lovely place to be
Children deserve to grow up in a world full of love and kindness. We need to create that environment for them.
An so I learn to depend on me
When I couldn't find someone to depend on, I learned to depend on myself. It's a valuable lesson for children to learn independence.
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone shadows
I made a conscious choice to forge my own path in life and not follow in someone else's footsteps. Children should learn to blaze their own trails.
If I fail, if I succeed
Regardless of whether I succeed or fail, I know I did it on my own. Children need to learn that failure is just a part of the journey and they can succeed on their own merits.
At least I live desirably
I can feel proud of myself for living life on my own terms, even if I don't achieve everything I set out to do. Children should be encouraged to live their best lives.
No matter what they take from me
No one can take away the pride and dignity that comes with living life authentically. Children should be taught to be true to themselves always.
They can take away my dignity
No matter how anyone tries to break me down, I will never lose my sense of dignity and self-worth. Children need to know that they are worthy of respect and love.
Because am greatest, the love of all
I believe in myself and know that I have the power to achieve greatness. Children need to be reminded of their own limitless potential.
Is happening to me, it's happening to me
I'm experiencing the greatest love of all right now. It's a feeling of self-love and empowerment that we should all strive to achieve.
I found the greatest love of all inside of me
The greatest love we'll ever receive is the love we give ourselves. Children need to learn to love and accept themselves for who they are.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ELVIS REDWOOD, VANESSA N SADDLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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