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.
Crashing Head On
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know you no more your a stranger
I never know you so ungrateful
Never know you so ungrateful
People get in your brain
Wish you all the best take care of your self
Who got to you, you really change
Don't you see that your someone else
()
It's like crashing head on
I don't really know if you love me
Right there you straight off… you lie to me
Please girl just f off
It's like crashing head on
I don't really know if you love me
Right there you straight off… you lie to me
Please girl just f off
(2)
Anything weh happen you did it to yo self
You did it to yo self, you did it to yo self
Anything weh happen you did it to yo self
You did it to yo self, you did it to yo self
Anything weh happen you did it to yo self
You did it to yo self, you did it to yo self
Anything weh happen you did it, you did it, you did it to your self
(Repeat )
(Repeat 1)
(Repeat )
(Repeat 2)
The lyrics of Vybz Kartel's song "Crashing Head On" express the artist’s anger and disappointment towards a former lover who he had given everything to, but who ended up being ungrateful and deceitful. He feels like he does not know who this person is anymore, as their personality seems to have been influenced negatively by other people, which resulted in them becoming someone else entirely. The artist's frustration is evident as he wishes the best for this person while also asking them to take care of themselves and saying goodbye in a harsh and unsympathetic manner.
The chorus of the song is particularly expressive as he likens the situation to a head-on collision, indicating the intense and painful nature of the break-up. The repeated phrase "Anything weh happen you did it to yo self" is a clear indication of the artist's belief that the other person is solely responsible for the failure of the relationship and its aftermath. Overall, the song is effectively a cathartic release for the artist, who feels betrayed by someone who was once a significant part of his life.
Line by Line Meaning
I gave you everything thing thank you girl
I was generous with you and provided you with everything you need in our relationship.
Don't know you no more your a stranger
I no longer recognize you because your attitude and behavior have changed so much.
I never know you so ungrateful
I didn't expect you to be so unappreciative of everything I've done and given you.
Never know you so ungrateful
I'm still surprised by how ungrateful you've become.
People get in your brain
Other people have influenced you and caused you to change your perspective and behavior towards me.
Wish you all the best take care of your self
I hope you're able to find happiness and wellbeing, even if it's not with me.
Who got to you, you really change
I'm wondering who or what has changed you so much, as you're not the same person I used to know.
Don't you see that your someone else
I want you to realize that you've turned into a different person and let go of our past relationship.
It's like crashing head on
Our relationship is like a car crash, as we're facing each other with opposing and destructive forces.
I don't really know if you love me
I'm not sure if you still have feelings of love for me, as your actions are contradictory and uncertain.
Right there you straight off… you lie to me
You're lying to me without hesitation or shame, which shows how little you value our relationship and my trust.
Please girl just f off
I want you to leave me alone and stop bothering me, as I'm tired of struggling to maintain a relationship that's not working.
Anything weh happen you did it to yo self
You're responsible for the consequences of your actions and choices, and you shouldn't blame anyone else for your mistakes or failures.
You did it to yo self, you did it to yo self
You caused your own problems and hardships, and you have to take ownership and learn from them.
Anything weh happen you did it, you did it, you did it to your self
You can't escape the consequences of your actions, and you have to face them and take responsibility for them.
Writer(s): Linton Timajae White, Mario Dunwell, Adidja Azim Palmer
Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@unanimusgaza105
This man is truely the best of all time! 🎵💯🙏🏾 2020 #Timeless #FreeWorlboss
@Ariana_Davis22
rediscovering this is like finding money in my pocket☺️☺️🔥
@mycollections2002
😂
@aundrehyatt9027
i sing this to my gf and its all true😢
@benji219
2020 still bangs
@trimayneagentvidol8103
I need a Guinness or two right now for this song!!
@renaegraham1016
Never gets old
@Sapphire1997
Still one a the best songs
@raheimgordon295
Fi real
@staarshiinee224
2023 and this is still a banger