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.
Dallaz
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gone for the money a Di Teacha
Dalla lala laz dalla lala laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla la laz
Dalla lala laz
Pon the Gaza make me tell you why me hustle
Me never have tea no, a champagne a bubble
When you see me with the greens
Anuh callaloo a juggle
Fi the new year, me name Addi Mr duffle
Addi haffi stack up the chips like Ruffles
Diamond mi ears, platinum 'round mi knuckle
Me know say a ghetto me born
So me haffi tricky like the three
Card man weh a shuffle
Mi mother waan things
How me fi nuh have nothing?
Me fire mackerel and promote her to mutton
Nana nana na no skylarking
Addi anuh addi button
Me born from nothing so
Me must waan something a 7 deadly sins
Me add on one more pon it
And it a the money button so me sing
Dalla lala laz dalla lala laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla la laz
Dalla lala laz down a Big Yard
Dalla la laz dalla lala laz
If you check pon the Gaza dalla la laz
Dalla lala laz
If you a idlers, mhm mhm, me no follow clown
Go circle Sadiki for the dollar sound
A inna duffle bag my money carry 'round
From Gaza to Dela Vega to Barry Town
Hey, rice bag
One phone call send Ratty go a town
When man a chat you go nah listen dem
Me a listen some Euro inna surround sound
DJ Wayne who? Him no gyal clown
Gyal gwan, get a couple grands fi your own
Me nah love gyal more than money
Me'd prefer put a Nanny inna a
Wedding gown and married her
Dalla lala laz dalla lala laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla la laz
Dalla lala laz all Laing a Big Yard
Dalla la laz dalla lala laz
If you check Danger dalla la laz
Dalla lala laz
Pon the Gaza make me tell you why me hustle
Me love exercise mi bank account muscle
Me never have tea no, a champagne a bubble
When you see me with the greens
Anuh callaloo a juggle
Fi the new year, me name Addi Mr duffle
Addi haffi stack up the chips like Ruffles
Diamond mi ears, platinum 'round mi knuckle
Me know say a ghetto me born
So me haffi tricky like the three
Card man weh a shuffle
Mi mother waan things
How me fi nuh have nothing?
Me fire mackerel and promote her to mutton
Nana nana na no skylarking
Addi anuh addi button
Me born from nothing so
Me must waan something a 7 deadly sins
Me add on one more pon it
And it a the money button so me sing
Dalla lala laz dalla lala laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla la laz
Dalla lala laz down a Big Yard
Dalla la laz dalla lala laz
If you check pon the Gaza dalla la laz
Dalla lala laz
If you a idlers, mhm mhm, me no follow clown
Go circle Sadiki for the dollar sound
A inna duffle bag my money carry 'round
From Gaza to Dela Vega to Barry Town
Hey, rice bag
One phone call send Ratty go a town
When man a chat you go nah listen dem
Me a listen some Euro inna surround sound
DJ Wayne who? Him no gyal clown
Gyal gwan, get a couple grands fi your own
Me nah love gyal more than money
Me'd prefer put a Nanny inna a
Wedding gown and married her
Dalla lala laz dalla lala laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla la laz
Dalla lala laz all Laing a Big Yard
Dalla la laz dalla lala laz
If you check Danger dalla la laz
Dalla lala laz
The lyrics to Vybz Kartel's song "Dallaz" can be broken down into several themes. The song begins with the line "Bout me nah voice fi Don don Corleone, Gone for the money a Di Teacha," which suggests that the artist is distancing himself from being associated with the ruthless nature of mafia boss Don Corleone but instead focuses on making money.
The following lines of the chorus, "Dalla lala laz dalla lala laz, The whole Jamaica waan Dalla la laz," can be interpreted as a chant for financial success. It seems to suggest that everyone in Jamaica desires to have wealth and live a luxurious lifestyle. The repetition of the phrase "Dalla lala laz" emphasizes this desire for financial prosperity.
In the verses, Kartel discusses his hustle and determination to make money. He mentions his dedication to exercise his "bank account muscle," indicating his focus on increasing his financial status. Additionally, he highlights his preference for champagne over tea, further emphasizing his desire for an opulent lifestyle.
Kartel acknowledges his humble background and the importance of providing for his mother. He mentions his origins in the ghetto and his need to be smart and cunning to navigate life there. He expresses his desire for something more than his current situation, suggesting that he wants to escape the cycle of poverty. The reference to the seven deadly sins is a metaphorical way of implying that he wants to have access to all the pleasures in life.
The second part of the song repeats similar themes, with Kartel asserting that he prioritizes money over romantic relationships and suggesting that he would rather marry money than pursue love. He uses the line "Gyal gwan, get a couple grands for your own" to imply that he expects women to strive for their own financial independence rather than relying on him for support.
Overall, the lyrics to "Dallaz" by Vybz Kartel revolve around the themes of financial success and the desire to overcome poverty. The song represents a celebration of wealth and a declaration of ambition and determination to rise above one's circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
'Bout me nah voice fi Don don Corleone
I don't speak for Don Don Corleone
Gone for the money a Di Teacha
I'm focused on making money, that's who I am
Dalla lala laz dalla lala laz
Everyone in Jamaica wants to hustle and make money
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla la laz
The entire Jamaica wants to hustle and make money
Dalla lala laz
Hustling and making money
Pon the Gaza make me tell you why me hustle
In the Gaza (referring to his neighborhood), I'll explain why I hustle
Me love exercise mi bank account muscle
I love strengthening my bank account
Me never have tea no, a champagne a bubble
I don't settle for less, I want the best
When you see me with the greens
When you see me with money
Anuh callaloo a juggle
It's not just a small amount, but a significant sum
Fi the new year, me name Addi Mr duffle
For the new year, I'm known as Addi Mr. Moneybags
Addi haffi stack up the chips like Ruffles
I have to accumulate money like stacking chips
Diamond mi ears, platinum 'round mi knuckle
I wear diamond earrings and a platinum ring
Me know say a ghetto me born
I know that I was born in the ghetto
So me haffi tricky like the three Card man weh a shuffle
So I have to be clever like the three-card man shuffling cards
Mi mother waan things
My mother wants certain things
How me fi nuh have nothing?
How can I have nothing?
Me fire mackerel and promote her to mutton
I transform cheap things into expensive ones
Nana nana na no skylarking
No wasting time
Addi anuh addi button
I'm not someone to be messed with
Me born from nothing so
I came from nothing so
Me must waan something a 7 deadly sins
I must want something, even if it's considered sinful
Me add on one more pon it
I add one more thing on top of it
And it a the money button so me sing
And that's the money button, so I sing about it
Dalla la laz down a Big Yard
Hustling is happening in Big Yard (referring to his neighborhood)
If you check pon the Gaza dalla la laz
If you check the Gaza, you'll see people hustling
If you a idlers, mhm mhm, me no follow clown
If you're lazy, I won't follow you
Go circle Sadiki for the dollar sound
Go find Sadiki for the sound of money
A inna duffle bag my money carry 'round
I carry my money in a duffle bag
From Gaza to Dela Vega to Barry Town
From Gaza to Dela Vega to Barry Town (referring to different areas), I hustle
One phone call send Ratty go a town
With just one phone call, Ratty can be sent to town
When man a chat you go nah listen dem
When people talk, you shouldn't listen to them
Me a listen some Euro inna surround sound
I listen to European currency in surround sound
DJ Wayne who? Him no gyal clown
Who is DJ Wayne? He's not successful with women
Gyal gwan, get a couple grands fi your own
Girl, go and make some money for yourself
Me nah love gyal more than money
I don't love women more than money
Me'd prefer put a Nanny inna a wedding gown and married her
I'd rather marry wealth than women
Dalla lala laz all Laing a Big Yard
Hustling is happening in Big Yard, where Laing is located
If you check Danger dalla la laz
If you check Danger, you'll see hustling
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xperted___pt234
[Intro]
'Bout me nah voice fi Don...
Don Corleone
Gone for the money
A Di Teacha
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
[Verse 1]
Pon the Gaza
Make me tell you why me hustle
Me love exercise mi bank account muscle
Me never have tea no, a champagne a bubble
When you see me with the greens, anuh callaloo a juggle
Fi the new year, me name Addi Mr. Duffle
Addi haffi stack up the chips like Ruffles
Diamond mi ears, platinum 'round mi knuckle
Me know say a ghetto me born
So me haffi tricky like the three card man weh a shuffle
Mi mother waan things, how me fi nuh have nothing?
Me fire mackerel and promote her to mutton
Nana-nana-na
No skylarking
Addi anuh addi button
Me born from nothing so me must waan something
A 7 deadly sins
Me add on one more pon it, and it a the money button
So me sing
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
Down a Big Yard
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
If you check pon the Gaza
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
[Verse 2]
If you a idlers, mhm mhm, me no follow clown
Go circle Sadiki for the dollar sound
A inna duffle bag my money carry 'round
From Gaza to Dela Vega to Barry Town
Hey, rice bag [?]
One phone call send Ratty go a town
When man a chat you go nah listen dem, me a listen some Euro inna surround sound
DJ Wayne who? Him no gyal clown
Gyal gwan, get a couple grands fi your own
Me nah love gyal more than money
Me'd prefer put a Nanny inna a wedding gown and married her
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
All Laing a Big Yard
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
If you check Danger
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
[Verse 1]
Pon the Gaza
Make me tell you why me hustle
Me love exercise mi bank account muscle
Me never have tea no, a champagne a bubble
When you see me with the greens, anuh callaloo a juggle
Fi the new year, me name Addi Mr. Duffle
Addi haffi stack up the chips like Ruffles
Diamond mi ears, platinum 'round mi knuckle
Me know say a ghetto me born
So me haffi tricky like the three card man weh a shuffle
Mi mother waan things, how me fi nuh have nothing?
Me fire mackerel and promote her to mutton
Nana-nana-na
No skylarking
Addi anuh addi button
Me born from nothing so me must waan something
A 7 deadly sins
Me add on one more pon it, and it a the money button
So me sing
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
Down a Big Yard
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
If you check pon the Gaza
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
[Verse 2]
If you a idlers, mhm mhm, me no follow clown
Go circle Sadiki for the dollar sound
A inna duffle bag my money carry 'round
From Gaza to Dela Vega to Barry Town
Hey, rice bag [?]
One phone call send Ratty go a town
When man a chat you go nah listen dem, me a listen some Euro inna surround sound
DJ Wayne who? Him no gyal clown
Gyal gwan, get a couple grands fi your own
Me nah love gyal more than money
Me'd prefer put a Nanny inna a wedding gown and married her
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
All Laing a Big Yard
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
If you check Danger
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
@Gaza75
2023 and still sounds like it was released yesterday,big up vybz Kartel dancehall king 👑 freedom is a must 🙏🏽
@delonthomas5049
The greatest
@Gaza75
@Delon Thomas FULLYGAZA 👊🏾
@shanereid5292
You know it's a hit when you can play it yrs later.
@johnfreder738
J zzzsdzss e ps
@montanaharris
Md😮.
@kimeisha6186
2020 and I'm still listening to this song 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@xperted___pt234
[Intro]
'Bout me nah voice fi Don...
Don Corleone
Gone for the money
A Di Teacha
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
[Verse 1]
Pon the Gaza
Make me tell you why me hustle
Me love exercise mi bank account muscle
Me never have tea no, a champagne a bubble
When you see me with the greens, anuh callaloo a juggle
Fi the new year, me name Addi Mr. Duffle
Addi haffi stack up the chips like Ruffles
Diamond mi ears, platinum 'round mi knuckle
Me know say a ghetto me born
So me haffi tricky like the three card man weh a shuffle
Mi mother waan things, how me fi nuh have nothing?
Me fire mackerel and promote her to mutton
Nana-nana-na
No skylarking
Addi anuh addi button
Me born from nothing so me must waan something
A 7 deadly sins
Me add on one more pon it, and it a the money button
So me sing
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
Down a Big Yard
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
If you check pon the Gaza
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
[Verse 2]
If you a idlers, mhm mhm, me no follow clown
Go circle Sadiki for the dollar sound
A inna duffle bag my money carry 'round
From Gaza to Dela Vega to Barry Town
Hey, rice bag [?]
One phone call send Ratty go a town
When man a chat you go nah listen dem, me a listen some Euro inna surround sound
DJ Wayne who? Him no gyal clown
Gyal gwan, get a couple grands fi your own
Me nah love gyal more than money
Me'd prefer put a Nanny inna a wedding gown and married her
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
All Laing a Big Yard
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
If you check Danger
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
[Verse 1]
Pon the Gaza
Make me tell you why me hustle
Me love exercise mi bank account muscle
Me never have tea no, a champagne a bubble
When you see me with the greens, anuh callaloo a juggle
Fi the new year, me name Addi Mr. Duffle
Addi haffi stack up the chips like Ruffles
Diamond mi ears, platinum 'round mi knuckle
Me know say a ghetto me born
So me haffi tricky like the three card man weh a shuffle
Mi mother waan things, how me fi nuh have nothing?
Me fire mackerel and promote her to mutton
Nana-nana-na
No skylarking
Addi anuh addi button
Me born from nothing so me must waan something
A 7 deadly sins
Me add on one more pon it, and it a the money button
So me sing
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
Down a Big Yard
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
If you check pon the Gaza
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
[Verse 2]
If you a idlers, mhm mhm, me no follow clown
Go circle Sadiki for the dollar sound
A inna duffle bag my money carry 'round
From Gaza to Dela Vega to Barry Town
Hey, rice bag [?]
One phone call send Ratty go a town
When man a chat you go nah listen dem, me a listen some Euro inna surround sound
DJ Wayne who? Him no gyal clown
Gyal gwan, get a couple grands fi your own
Me nah love gyal more than money
Me'd prefer put a Nanny inna a wedding gown and married her
[Chorus]
Dalla-lala-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
The whole Jamaica waan Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
All Laing a Big Yard
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
If you check Danger
Dalla-la-laz
Dalla-lala-laz
@delonthomas5049
teacha Gaza the greatest
@claudefrancis9128
You skip a lil line after where it says, hey rice bag. U have one phone call send ratty go ah town. It suppose to be ( hey rice bag me measure money call pound . But thanks anyways the lyrics was good i enjoyed it