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.
Dead Already
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man cyaa bun a spliff
But a life a the greatest gift
Give thanks fi the day when Jah, Jah
Blow breath inna mi new lungs
Enter the life of a new thugs
Born inna sin and iniquity, inner city life
A no supn weh mi too love
God know seh mi could a dead already
Jah, Jah, must a never ready
Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already
Man ever ready whole a firm steady meddy
Mi witness nuff a my friend dead
Mi could a dead already
Jah, Jah, must a never ready
Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already
Man ever ready whole a firm steady meddy
Mi witness nuff a my friend dead
Nuff time mi vision mi self inna coffin
But a voice tell mi no a no now it a go happen
Yo youth inna the boat a depend pon the captain
So mi seh mi haffi dweet before mi bone rotten
Bright light tell mi seh life too short
Cause a bay young youth him a berry an it pain him heart
Casha park to shadago park
The gun thing a dead thing listen teacher talk
God know seh mi could a dead already
Jah, Jah, must a never ready
Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already
Man ever ready whole a firm steady meddy
Mi witness nuff a my friend dead
Mi could a dead already
Jah, Jah, must a never ready
Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already
Man ever ready whole a firm steady meddy
Mi witness nuff a my friend dead
Weh day mi go a my dog funeral
Mi a tell yuh seh the feeling never normal
Mi seh mi haffi squelchy go one side go ball like a gyal
When mi si him likkle son name Hal
Laugh if yo waan but mi seh mi a cry fi the ghetto youth
No fi government official
Youth inna class an yo pants tight an yo skin cool
Mi a beg yuh no drop out a school
God know seh mi could a dead already
Jah, Jah, must a never ready
Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already
Man ever ready whole a firm steady meddy
Mi witness nuff a my friend dead
Mi could a dead already
Jah, Jah, must a never ready
Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already
Man ever ready whole a firm steady meddy
Mi witness nuff a my friend dead
Nuff time mi vision mi self inna coffin
But a voice tell mi no a no now it a go happen
Yo youth inna the boat a depend pon the captain
So mi seh mi haffi dweet before mi bone rotten
Bright light tell mi seh life too short
Cause a bay young youth him a berry an it pain him heart
Casha park to shadago park
The gun thing a dead thing listen teacher talk
God know seh mi could a dead already
Jah, Jah, must a never ready
Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already
Man ever ready whole a firm steady meddy
Mi witness nuff a my friend dead
Mi could a dead already
Jah, Jah, must a never ready
Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already
Man ever ready whole a firm steady meddy
Mi witness nuff a my friend dead
In Vybz Kartel's song "Dead Already," the lyrics offer a reflection on the dangers of living in the inner city and the potential for violent death. The song provides an insight into the harsh realities of life in the ghetto as he raps, "Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already, man eva ready whole a firm steady meddy," which means he has seen and experienced the shedding of blood in the ghetto, and people are always prepared for the worst.
The song's main theme seems to be life's fragility and the need to make the most of it while one still has it. According to Kartel, life is the greatest gift, and one should always be thankful for another day. He realizes that he could have already been dead and expresses gratitude for every breath he takes, which Jah, Jah (God) gives him. The line "Born inna sin and iniquity, inner-city life, a no supn weh mi too love" portrays the difficulties of life in the inner city, where one is prone to crimes and sins.
Furthermore, the lines "Nuff time mi vision mi self inna coffin, but a voice tell mi no a no now it a go happen," illustrate his recurring thoughts of death, and the voice tells him it is not yet time. This voice is his conscience, reminding him that his life's path is in his hands and telling him to do something before his time is up. The song's central message, therefore, is to seize every moment because one might not get another chance.
Line by Line Meaning
Crime get stiff
The consequences of committing a crime are severe.
Man cyaa bun a spliff
Drug use is frowned upon and often punished by the law.
But a life a the greatest gift
Life is the most valuable thing one possesses.
Give thanks fi the day when Jah, Jah
Thankful for the day when God breathed life into the artist.
Blow breath inna mi new lungs
Being born anew with a fresh start.
Enter the life of a new thugs
Starting a new life with a criminal mindset.
Born inna sin and iniquity, inner city life
Growing up in a poor, crime-ridden area.
A no supn weh mi too love
The lifestyle of crime and violence is not something the artist enjoys.
God know seh mi could a dead already
Acknowledging that the artist could have already died.
Jah, Jah, must a never ready
Grateful to still be alive, the artist believes it may not have been his time to go.
Ghetto mi live mi si blood shead already
Having already witnessed violence and bloodshed in the artist's neighborhood.
Man ever ready whole a firm steady meddy
The artist makes it clear that he is always prepared for whatever may come his way.
Mi witness nuff a my friend dead
The artist has unfortunately lost many friends to violence in the past.
Nuff time mi vision mi self inna coffin
The artist has imagined his own death many times.
But a voice tell mi no a no now it a go happen
The artist has had hope given to him that his time is not up yet.
Yo youth inna the boat a depend pon the captain
The youth are depending on the artist's guidance and leadership to make the right decisions.
So mi seh mi haffi dweet before mi bone rotten
The artist knows he needs to make good use of his time before it's too late and he is too old.
Bright light tell mi seh life too short
The artist has had a realization that life is short and must be lived to the fullest.
Cause a bay young youth him a berry an it pain him heart
The loss of a young individual affected the artist greatly.
Casha park to shadago park
The artist describes various places in his hometown.
The gun thing a dead thing listen teacher talk
The artist believes that gun use is a dead end and that it is important to pay attention to what teachers say.
Weh day mi go a my dog funeral
The artist recently attended the funeral of a close friend.
Mi a tell yuh seh the feeling never normal
The artist expresses the pain and grief felt at the funeral.
Mi seh mi haffi squelchy go one side go ball like a gyal
The artist felt so much emotion that he cried like a girl.
When mi si him likkle son name Hal
The artist was moved upon seeing his friend's young son named Hal.
Laugh if yo waan but mi seh mi a cry fi the ghetto youth
The artist takes pride in caring for and feeling for individuals in his community.
No fi government official
The artist believes that it is his responsibility to care for his community, not the government's.
Youth inna class an yo pants tight an yo skin cool
Addressing youth attending classes with stylish clothing and appearances.
Mi a beg yuh no drop out a school
The artist pleads with the youth to not drop out of school and waste their potential.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ADIDJA PALMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thee-content-creator
He went so hard on this.
@thee-content-creator
This is definitely one of my favorite songs ever.
@differentbcm4739
2019?!
@JDAPA08
This different enuh dawg....Bumboclaat!!...sorry for the profanity. Kartel this bad yuh fuck....all the years mi a listen this mi never a pree how da song ya rass bad!!!!! Big up world boss! I wish yuh all di best.
@webking25
I remember jah Kno the boss have so many songs it ridiculous
@ChosenVessel10
Me fi tell u deh ya a listen some a dem ya now
@shadieshadz368
De boss coming down wicked on that riddim dere
@bushead7479
Real song vybz kartel
@PinkWeightLoss1
its a hit for sure
@kart3l20
This song is timeless for our life time