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.
Drink Up
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drink some champagne
Smoke some weed
Don't judge me
For one day we will die
So lets live our life
So lets live our life
Star lights like R2 D2
Pretty girl come through in a the see through
Meet you at the gate or pree soul
Real gold S a spade fi the queens view
It means you necessary and it means boo
Gucci shirt wid mi cavany beans boo
Brand new clarks, sneakers sneak preview
(Repeat )
(2)
Tell me weh the drinks gone
Everything gone
Tell the bartender bring the bar come
Quicker than a Austraoid when the star come
Drinks everywhere now
Hand in a the air now
Like seh mi a go rob yo
But mi naw rob yo
(Repeat )
(3)
Third verse and the building a burn down
Police man seh turn the sound down
The business done have a down sound
Big up the people weh hustle down town
When wi party wi high like up town
Gaza, Baston, yow Bob Town
Craig Town
(Repeat )
The lyrics to the song Drink Up by Vybz Kartel emphasize the importance of living life to the fullest without the fear of judgement. The song encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves without holding back. Despite society’s expectations and the possibility of a finite life, the song suggests that tonight is your opportunity to live in the moment and indulge in the pleasures of life.
The first verse talks about the different elements of a party, with references to champagne, weed, and pretty girls. Vybz Kartel also talks about dressing up for the occasion, wearing Gucci shirts and brand new sneakers. The second verse references the consumption of alcohol, with instructions for the bartender to bring more drinks. The verse also includes a metaphor about a meteor, implying that the party is heating up and moving fast. The third verse mentions the possibility of encountering obstacles such as law enforcement or a downpour, but ultimately emphasizes the high energy and celebratory nature of the party.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of enjoying life today because tomorrow is not promised. It encourages listeners to let go of any inhibitions and fully immerse themselves in the joy of being alive.
Line by Line Meaning
We go party tonight
Tonight we shall attend a party
Drink some champagne
We shall consume champagne
Smoke some weed
We shall also smoke some marijuana
Don't judge me
Please abstain from criticizing me
For one day we will die
Since death is certain, let's maximize our living
So lets live our life
We ought to live our lives to the fullest
So lets live our life
We ought to live our lives to the fullest
Star lights like R2 D2
The lights are shining like R2 D2 from Star Wars
Pretty girl come through in a the see through
A lovely lady is attired in see-through clothing
Meet you at the gate or pree soul
Meet me at the entrance or gaze in tormented longing
Real gold S a spade fi the queens view
The golden object resembles a spade and is ideal for aristocratic viewing
It means you necessary and it means boo
It signifies that you're significant and of romantic interest
Gucci shirt wid mi cavany beans boo
I have both a Gucci shirt and Cavalli jeans, love
Brand new clarks, sneakers sneak preview
These new shoes from Clarks are a sneak preview of what's to come
Tell me weh the drinks gone
Pray, where have the drinks disappeared to?
Everything gone
They seem to have vanished entirely
Tell the bartender bring the bar come
Please inform the barkeep to bring everything over
Quicker than a Austraoid when the star come
This swift process is akin to the speed of an asteroid during a meteor shower
Drinks everywhere now
Now beverages are plentiful
Hand in a the air now
We raise our hands high
Like seh mi a go rob yo
It may seem as if I'm about to rob you
But mi naw rob yo
But I promise I won't steal from you
Third verse and the building a burn down
By the third verse, the structure appears to be aflame
Police man seh turn the sound down
An officer requested we lower the music
The business done have a down sound
The establishment is no longer lively
Big up the people weh hustle down town
Shout out to those who work in the city outskirts
When wi party wi high like up town
We experience a euphoric feeling similar to those who reside in affluent areas
Gaza, Baston, yow Bob Town
Shouts out to the areas of Gaza, Baston, and Bob Town
Craig Town
We also acknowledge Craig Town
Writer(s): Mario Dunwell, Adidja Azim Palmer, Linton Timajae White
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cescojamdirealest
'We gon' party tonight
Drink some champagne
Smoke some weed
Dont judge me
For one day we will die
So lets live our life
So lets live our life...'
marvellous chorus!!! this song should be the anthem of every event
@vybzkartelradio.
Star life like #r2d2
@DancehallMusiqRadio
Up
@oneknock5796
Worl great
@MrObrienneil
Tht line went ova most ppl head enuh
@xiletheartist4701
To fully appreciate Vybz Kartel music and more so his lyrical content, you have to be sophisticated and knowledgeable. Flew over many heads indeed and just was looked at as him just rhyming. He's not the teacher because it sound nice. 🐐 This song is a classic 🤧
@nuffvybzofficial5216
Bad song comment can me song🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯
@Tommie_Don
don't judge me ! for one day we will die 👏 Free WorldBossss
@dequancoutois3627
Io
@carlosoliver4653
So ture t
@princeayew
Let live or life