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.
Hidden Track
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Society nuh see di ghetto youth a cry
So mi turn mi eyes onto di hills
And look up to di sky
Seh Selassie I, we ah bawl
Pon Jah fi help we
Thank you jah, fi fulfill mi dream
Just di love from mi family
Mi remember when a one pants mi have
Nuff nights mi go a mi bed hungry, but
Mi tell mi self seh mi nah go dead
Till mi see mi mom livin' luxury
And mi father try through di years
Mi see mi daddy shed much sweat and tears
But who God bless no man cyaa stress
Yeah though I walk through di valley
Of di shadow of death mi nah fret
Who God bless no man cyaa stress
Yеah though I walk through di valley
Of di shadow of death mi nah fret
Mi rеmember when mi father died
It hurt mi fi see when mummy cry
Sometimes it's like mi wah lose mi mind
Mummy tell me seh fi just keep tryin'
Mi promise mi self, seh one day
People ago remember my name
Mi promise mummy, she ago proud a me
See it deh now, mi fulfill mi destiny
But who Jah bless no man cyaa stress
Yeah though I walk through di valley
Of di shadow of death mi nah fret
But who Jah bless no man cyaa stress
Yeah though I walk through di valley
Of di shadow of death mi nah fret
Hey! Dem want ghetto youth fi dead
But mi stand up firm like
Di rock of Gibraltar cause
Di mount a friend mi memba
Weh police or gunman slaughter
Mi cry di living eye water
But who God bless no man cyaa stress
Yeah though I walk through di valley
Of di shadow of death mi nah fret
But who Jah bless no man cyaa stress
Yeah though I walk through di valley
Of di shadow of death mi nah fret
The lyrics to Vybz Kartel's song "Hidden Track" speak to the struggles and resilience of the ghetto youth. The song begins by acknowledging how society often turns a blind eye to the cries of the ghetto youth, causing them to turn their eyes towards Jah (God) for help. The artist expresses gratitude to Jah for fulfilling his dreams, reminiscing about the times when he had nothing but the love of his family. He remembers going to bed hungry and having only one pair of pants, but he promised himself that he would not give up until he saw his mother living in luxury and his father's efforts paying off. The chorus reinforces the idea that no one can stress or undermine those whom God has blessed, even when walking through the darkest, most challenging times. The song also addresses the pain of losing a father and witnessing a mother's tears, yet finding strength to keep trying and fulfill one's destiny. It ends with a defiant statement against those who wish to see the demise of the ghetto youth, emphasizing that the artist will stand firm and not be swayed by the violence and hardships around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Jah know Spice
Acknowledging the presence of the divine, Jah, and greeting Spice, the artist.
Society nuh see di ghetto youth a cry
Society is blind to the struggles and pain of the youth living in the ghetto.
So mi turn mi eyes onto di hills
In search of hope and guidance, I redirect my focus towards the hills.
And look up to di sky
I look upwards, towards the sky, for comfort and support.
Seh Selassie I, we ah bawl
Calling out to Selassie I, expressing our desperation and need for help.
Pon Jah fi help we
Relying on Jah to provide the assistance we desperately need.
Thank you Jah, fi fulfill mi dream
Expressing gratitude towards Jah for fulfilling my dreams.
Mi remember when, mi nuh have nutn
Reflecting on a time when I had nothing.
Just di love from mi family
Only the love from my family sustained me.
Mi remember when a one pants mi have
Recalling a time when I owned only one pair of pants.
Nuff nights mi go a mi bed hungry, but
Enduring countless nights going to bed hungry.
Mi tell mi self seh mi nah go dead
I repeatedly reassured myself that I won't give up, even in dire circumstances.
Till mi see mi mom livin' luxury
My ultimate goal was to witness my mother living a life of comfort and abundance.
And mi father try through di years
Recognizing the efforts and struggles my father endured over the years.
Mi see mi daddy shed much sweat and tears
Witnessing my father working tirelessly and shedding tears of hardship.
But who God bless no man cyaa stress
No one can undermine or cause distress to those blessed by God.
Yeah though I walk through di valley
Despite facing challenging and dangerous situations.
Of di shadow of death mi nah fret
I will not be afraid as I navigate through life's darkest moments.
Mi remember when mi father died
Recalling the painful loss of my father.
It hurt mi fi see when mummy cry
Witnessing the pain my mother experienced, grieving for my father.
Sometimes it's like mi wah lose mi mind
At times, I feel overwhelmed and on the verge of losing my sanity.
Mummy tell me seh fi just keep tryin'
My mother advises me to persevere and keep striving.
Mi promise mi self, seh one day
I make a personal promise to myself that one day...
People ago remember my name
...people will remember and recognize my accomplishments.
Mi promise mummy, she ago proud a me
I also make a promise to my mother, assuring her that she will be proud of me.
See it deh now, mi fulfill mi destiny
Finally, I have achieved and fulfilled my destined purpose.
Hey! Dem want ghetto youth fi dead
Acknowledging the desire of others to see young individuals from impoverished areas perish.
But mi stand up firm like di rock of Gibraltar
Despite the challenges, I stand strong and unwavering, like the unyielding rock of Gibraltar.
Cause di mount a friend mi memba
I remember the multitude of friends I have lost.
Weh police or gunman slaughter
Those lost to the hands of police or gunmen.
Mi cry di living eye water
I shed tears of grief and sorrow.
But who God bless no man cyaa stress
No one can cause distress or harm to those blessed by God.
Yeah though I walk through di valley
Even when faced with difficult and dangerous circumstances.
Of di shadow of death mi nah fret
I will not be afraid as I move through life's darkest moments.
But who Jah bless no man cyaa stress
No one can undermine or cause distress to those blessed by Jah.
Yeah though I walk through di valley
Even when faced with challenging situations.
Of di shadow of death mi nah fret
I will not fear as I navigate through life's darkest moments.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bubak Janneh
on Life We Living
life we living so hard
Bubak Janneh
on Ghetto Youth
some body send me this nonsese