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.
Knock It
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In front a di officer bullet a tun dem ova
Right beside di soldier
Fi your information yuh dead front di station
Diss real badman?
Docta coulda live ina yuh pocket
From mi clap it
Ball a fire from di matic Paste
Like crazy glue deh pon it
Feds a come mi nah go panic
Rise di rifle stand up behind it and
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
More gun than Cuban mi nuh
Chat like Barbara Gloudon
New brand rifle come from Sudan reach
Me quick like Western Union
Mi nuh put none a my gun ina
Fool hand pure badman ina school and
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Mi deevn' reason from the war
Begin to season no
Mi shoot without a reason like mi
Gun them work off a Diesel
My gun dem work off a evil shot
Contagious like a Measle when man
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Diss man a yard man ago Defend it Defend it
(Pussyhole)
Diss man a broad man ago Defend it Defend it
(Pussyhole)
Ano real badman dem haffi Pretend
It Pretend it when man
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Diss man a yard man ago Defend it Defend it
(Pussyhole)
Diss man a broad man ago Defend it Defend it
(Pussyhole)
Ano real badman dem haffi Pretend
It Pretend it when man
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Seh dem a gangsta nutn dem a do
Mi use a dozen a mi rifle correl dem Avenue
Watch di whole a dem a run till
Them near to rescue mi just
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
A dat them rather from them diss di godfather
Dela Vega to ready to defend Addi saga
From mi likkle Mr manley and Seaga
Wull di border when me
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Mi crime no local check di murder total
Squaddy see mi buss it and
Him haffi wull him vocal (why?)
Like fire links a so di ting global mi
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Dat a coulda live ina yuh
Pocket from mi clap it
Ball a fire from di matic Paste
Yuh marrow pon di attic
Like crazy glue deh pon it
Feds a come mi nah go panic
Rise di rifle stand up behind it and
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
More gun than Cuban mi nuh
Chat like Barbara Gloudon
New brand rifle come from Sudan reach
Mi quick like Western Union
Mi nuh put none a my gun ina
Fool hand pure badman ina school and
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Mi deevn' reason from the war
Begin to season no
Mi shoot without a reason like mi
Gun them work off a Diesel
My gun dem work off a evil shot
Contagious like a Measle when man
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
The song 'Knock It' by Vybz Kartel talks about his violent and aggressive mentality towards those who dare challenge him. He proclaims that he will shoot anyone who disrespects him, and that he has no fear of law enforcement. He boasts about the number of guns he has at his disposal and how they are more powerful than those of others. He even goes as far as to say that he shoots without reason, promoting a violent and irrational outlook towards life. The lyrics also highlight the fact that he is willing to stand up against anyone who challenges him, including the government and those in authority.
The song has garnered controversy for its glorification of violence and gun culture. It is a reflection of the violent tendencies prevalent in some parts of Jamaican society and perpetuates stereotypes of the island being a dangerous and violent place. Additionally, the song has been criticized by some for promoting a toxic and hyper-masculine image.
Line by Line Meaning
Mi buss mi gun dem any weh you diss mi sah
I unleash my guns wherever you disrespect me.
In front a di officer bullet a tun dem ova
Even if law enforcement is present, I will show no fear in using bullets to silence my problems.
Right beside di soldier
I am not afraid to commit violent acts even near military personnel.
Fi your information yuh dead front di station
For your information, you will meet your demise right in front of the police station.
Diss real badman?
Are you really provoking a violent and ruthless individual?
Docta coulda live ina yuh pocket
Even if you have a medical professional in your pocket, it will not save you from the bullets in my gun.
From mi clap it
As soon as I fire my weapon.
Ball a fire from di matic Paste
Bullets are forcefully ejected from my gun with each pull of the trigger.
Yuh marrow pon di attic
My bullets will penetrate so deep that they will reach the marrow of your bones.
Like crazy glue deh pon it
The impact of my bullets is permanent, akin to glue holding things together.
Feds a come mi nah go panic
Even when law enforcement is closing in on me, I will not panic.
Rise di rifle stand up behind it and
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
I will stand tall with my gun and repeatedly shoot it, causing chaos.
More gun than Cuban mi nuh
Chat like Barbara Gloudon
I possess more firearms than the country of Cuba and have no time for small talk.
New brand rifle come from Sudan reach
Me quick like Western Union
I quickly obtain new guns, delivered as fast as a Western Union transaction, even if they come from Sudan.
Mi nuh put none a my gun ina
Fool hand pure badman ina school and
I will not entrust my weapon to a fool; only the most ruthless individuals are allowed to handle them.
Mi deevn' reason from the war
Begin to season no
Mi shoot without a reason like mi
Gun them work off a Diesel
My gun dem work off a evil shot
Contagious like a Measle when man
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
I am not in the business of reasoning with my enemies, nor do I wait for a reason to strike. My gun is like an unstoppable machine, evil in its intent, and contagious in its deadly outcome.
Diss man a yard man ago Defend it Defend it
(Pussyhole)
If you disrespect a Jamaican man, he will defend himself with force.
Diss man a broad man ago Defend it Defend it
(Pussyhole)
It doesn't matter where a man comes from; if you provoke him, he will react with violence.
Ano real badman dem haffi Pretend
It Pretend it when man
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Fake thugs who pretend to be hardcore will reveal their true selves when faced with a real badman and the sound of gunshots.
Seh dem a gangsta nutn dem a do
Mi use a dozen a mi rifle correl dem Avenue
Watch di whole a dem a run till
Them near to rescue mi just
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
People who talk about being gangsters are not truly carrying out actions. I use my numerous firearms to control entire streets, causing others to run away until they get close enough for me to attack.
A dat them rather from them diss di godfather
Dela Vega to ready to defend Addi saga
From mi likkle Mr manley and Seaga
Wull di border when me
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Those who dare to disrespect me and my reputation as a godfather will suffer the wrath of me and my trusted associates, who pledge to defend me. I have been involved in lawless behavior since my younger years and am unafraid to cross borders to finish my business.
Mi crime no local check di murder total
Squaddy see mi buss it and
Him haffi wull him vocal (why?)
Like fire links a so di ting global mi
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
There is no limit to my crimes; I will even cause murder. When bystanders see me shoot my gun, they have no choice but to speak up. My actions have traveled so far that it's like a movement, similar to the worldwide spread of the Fire Links sound system.
Dat a coulda live ina yuh
Pocket from mi clap it
Ball a fire from di matic Paste
Yuh marrow pon di attic
Like crazy glue deh pon it
Feds a come mi nah go panic
Rise di rifle stand up behind it and
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Even if someone whom you look up to and hold in high esteem is in your defense, it will not stop me from firing my gun and permanently wounding you. My bullets will penetrate so deeply that they will reach the marrow of your bones and appear as though they are glued to them. Even when law enforcement is closing in on me, I will stand firm with my gun, firing it repeatedly and recklessly.
More gun than Cuban mi nuh
Chat like Barbara Gloudon
New brand rifle come from Sudan reach
Mi quick like Western Union
Mi nuh put none a my gun ina
Fool hand pure badman ina school and
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
Mi deevn' reason from the war
Begin to season no
Mi shoot without a reason like mi
Gun them work off a Diesel
My gun dem work off a evil shot
Contagious like a Measle when man
Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it Knock it
A repetition of the chorus, emphasizing that I possess an abundance of firearms, have no other desire than to shoot recklessly, and that my guns are fueled by evil. This will result in getting shot, which will spread like a disease.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADIDJA AZIM PALMER, CRAIG ANDREW HARRISINGH, CRAIG SERANI MARSH, DAVID HARRISINGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tyresemoodie678
Vybz Kartel war songs will kill anything weh a play nowadays, he's an undisputed champion.
@princetaylor7411
true thing
@MrSniperific13
Facts
@mariojames9676
A it mn big up
@maroonspirit7142
Yo especially now
@joshking5986
Nh bai
@anythinggoes7881
NO ARTIST NEVER DEH PAN THE MAN LEVEL...............ALL NOW
@Kymmi_Marie_777
Mi fave Kartel tune. Flow MAD! Him siddung pon de riddim
@tyronenembhard115
Kartel mek the wickedest gun song, fuck song , fun song , vybz song and the boss defend poor people plan a different level world best artist. The show that music is art #freeworldboss
@mariegrant5457
World boss me say👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽