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.
Dark Shades
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give thanks fi the life weh mi get
Long life, suck yo mother mister death
Build a spliff but mi nuh bathe yet
Suh mi step in a the bathroom fi go hold a fresh
Then step out fi board the benz jet
Light it up that is the next step
Let's check... that mi did a expect
Dark shades like Ray Charles
High grade weed fi mi breakfast
Mi love girls weh nuh wear draws
Yo too fast and yo ears hard
Dark shades like Ray Charles
High grade weed fi mi breakfast
Mi love girls weh nuh wear draws
Yo too fast and yo ears hard
Gyal a gimmi like seh shi in a dept
Mi collect like seh mi wi a bet
Skirt fly like seh it in a jet
Sweat a run like seh it in a crep
Boots burst, this a bigger man
Shi a fret, hold a cigarette
Buss a juice, Guinness a the best
Weh the sess? Grabber to the chest
Listen mi, mi know seh yo have a man
Yeah mi si you have a pretty wedding band
Waan ride the riddim, reggae band
When yo left yah belly haffi band
Stretch it out, rubber band
Bomb it up like a Taliban
Have a girl fi give Badadon
Portmore ever in a brand
Every woman, every man
My type a girl have a clean skin
No underwear, not a jeans string
Look like seh shi get a beas sting
Well chrome out like cheese tin
Some a dem black, some bleaching
Some cyaa come, some reaching
Tattoo, tattoo increasing
Mi nuh pree man, mi nuh see him
Look wa mi a wear
The lyrics of Vybz Kartel's "Dark Shades" express his appreciation for life and the luxuries that come with it. He begins by acknowledging the gift of another day and expressing his desire to live a long life. He then goes on to defy death, taunting it by saying "suck yo mother mister death." He also describes smoking marijuana as a daily ritual, even before bathing, and then boarding his luxurious private jet.
Vybz Kartel then boasts about his love for women, particularly those who do not wear underwear. His sexual prowess is evident in his ability to collect women as if he were placing a bet. He describes a sexual encounter with a woman who sweats profusely, with her skirt flying like a jet, and her boots bursting off her feet. He emphasizes his preference for clean-skinned women and finishes by describing his clothing, which includes dark shades like those worn by the late Ray Charles.
Overall, the lyrics suggest an appreciation for living life to the fullest, regardless of societal norms or expectations. It also highlights the importance of living life on one's own terms, without regrets or limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up, take a breath
Start the day with a deep breath in and a relaxed attitude.
Give thanks fi the life weh mi get
Be grateful for the life you have, the opportunities and experiences you gain.
Long life, suck yo mother mister death
Refuse to be taken by death and live in the moment as long as you have the chance.
Build a spliff but mi nuh bathe yet
Roll a joint, but no need to shower just yet.
Suh mi step in a the bathroom fi go hold a fresh
Take a quick shower and freshen up.
Then step out fi board the benz jet
Head out the door to get into a luxurious car to start the day.
Light it up that is the next step
Get ready to light up the joint and start the day off right.
Let's check... that mi did a expect
Confirm that everything is going according to plan.
Pon the Gaza
Referring to the music ensemble that he is associated with.
Dark shades like Ray Charles
Wearing sunglasses that hide his eyes.
High grade weed fi mi breakfast
Starting the day off with high quality cannabis.
Mi love girls weh nuh wear draws
He loves women who choose not to wear any underwear.
Yo too fast and yo ears hard
Speaking to someone who is too impulsive and doesn't listen to what others say.
Gyal a gimmi like seh shi in a dept
Getting attention from women who seem to be financially struggling.
Mi collect like seh mi wi a bet
Collecting women as if he's placing bets.
Skirt fly like seh it in a jet
A woman's skirt flies up as if she were on a jet.
Sweat a run like seh it in a crep
Sweating profusely as if he's running a race.
Boots burst, this a bigger man
His boots exploded, or he got a new pair because he is improving himself.
Shi a fret, hold a cigarette
A woman is anxious and smoking a cigarette.
Buss a juice, Guinness a the best
Drinking juice or Guinness beer, which he prefers.
Weh the sess? Grabber to the chest
Asking where the cannabis is, while placing his hand on his chest to show it's a necessity.
Listen mi, mi know seh yo have a man
Starting to talk to a woman knowing that she is already in a relationship.
Yeah mi si you have a pretty wedding band
Noticing that the woman he's flirting with is already married.
Waan ride the riddim, reggae band
Wanting to dance and enjoy the reggae music.
When yo left yah belly haffi band
Her belly will be bigger after leaving him, referring to their sexual relationship.
Stretch it out, rubber band
Having sex so hard that it feels like stretching a rubber band.
Bomb it up like a Taliban
Engaging in sexual activity with fervor and enthusiasm.
Have a girl fi give Badadon
Having a girl to give badadon, or oral sex.
Portmore ever in a brand
The place he's from is always present within him.
Every woman, every man
He enjoys being around everyone.
My type a girl have a clean skin
He prefers women with clear skin.
No underwear, not a jeans string
He prefers women to avoid undergarments and to not wear thongs.
Look like seh shi get a beas sting
She looks like she's been stung by a bee.
Well chrome out like cheese tin
Having on chrome, or expensive jewelry, that shines bright like a can of cheese.
Some a dem black, some bleaching
Commenting on the different skin tones of the people around him.
Some cyaa come, some reaching
Not everyone can get close to him; some are unreachable.
Tattoo, tattoo increasing
Getting more tattoos, which he enjoys.
Mi nuh pree man, mi nuh see him
He doesn't pay attention to other men or acknowledge their existence.
Look wa mi a wear
Showing off his expensive clothes.
Writer(s): Adidja Azim Palmer, Collin Demar Edwards, Linton Timajae White
Contributed by Joshua N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bubak Janneh
on Life We Living
life we living so hard
Bubak Janneh
on Ghetto Youth
some body send me this nonsese