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.
Luxury Love
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know say, it's been a while
Been watching your lifestyle, and (really?)
I see you chopping, sax (name brands)
I see you with the diamonds, pearls
But I know something missing
Baby, you know I can be that link ha ha
Me a call you and tell you what I think
You have the luxury life, the glamour life
But it nuh deceive me
Me know say you no happy and it grieve me
Girl believe me the mansion fi the living
Maybach fi do the speeding cyah counteract
The beating and the bleeding
Me know you try fi leave him and
Him friend you with the vanity
Tek you go the skiing
Never seeing love is all you need
Like a human being love, run both way
But you stressed out most days
And a try hide the
Tears underneath Versace shades
Check Addi, I'm the bliss
Him buy you that, him buy you this
Ice out your wrist, but at the
Same time him a beat you, that nuh criss
Rule you with an iron fist
That's when the feelings take a twist
Him need fi hug you when you're lonely
Surprise you with a kiss
Hey what you been missing, baby girl
I need to find (mi nuh know)
You should be happy but instead
Me see you cry (mi nuh know)
You should be running to these
Open arms of mine remember love has eyes
Nuh mek him tell you love is blind (no)
What you been missing, baby girl
Ah it me have (mi nuh know)
Then if him love you
Then why the hell you look so sad?
(Mi nuh know) then if him love you
Why him treating you so bad?
Hey, me love you more, as a God
You have the luxury life, the glamour life
But that mek it harder
Fi know you have it all but still
Nuh love and that you rather
You feeling like a child without
A mother or a father
Late at night me know you cry till
Tear drops wet up your Prada
King-size bed with silk sheet
But you alone at night-time
My double bed can still dweet
But you a moan at night-time
You don't need champagne, from this vine
Try my wine
No box stage VIP, when we a roll
You a join line
No Bentley with nuh chauffeur
With nuh leather seat and AC
A cabby with a 94 Nissan from Halfway Tree
Vanity nuh phase we
Weh nuh make we cyah break we
Me treat you like a goddess
(goddess) and mi love you like lady
Hey what you been missing, baby girl
I need to find (mi nuh know)
You should be happy but instead
Me see you cry (mi nuh know)
You should be running to these
Open arms of mine remember love has eyes
Nuh mek him tell you love is blind (no)
What you been missing, baby girl
Ah it me have (mi nuh know)
Then if him love you
Then why the hell you look so sad?
(Mi nuh know) then if him love you
Why him treating you so bad?
Hey, me love you more, as a God
Baby, I told you, it's just me, nothing fancy
Nothing high-class
You know how all I got is love for you
I can take you to places in
The world without a Visa
I can let you travel without a passport
I can let you come to me without moving
See me a say now baby
You know it's Addi, I'll be your daddy
You naffi guh ah di lost and found again
In Vybz Kartel's song "Luxury Love," the lyrics narrate the perspective of the singer, who has been observing the luxurious lifestyle of the person he is addressing. He acknowledges the material possessions that surround her, such as name brand clothes, diamonds, and pearls, but recognizes that something is missing. The singer believes that he can be the missing link, providing her with genuine love and happiness.
The lyrics depict the dichotomy between the external appearance of a luxurious life and the internal emotional state of the person living it. Despite all the material wealth, the singer perceives that she is not truly happy and feels saddened by this realization. He mentions her living in a mansion and riding in a Maybach, but these lavish belongings cannot counteract the emotional pain she endures. The singer understands that she has tried to leave her partner, but vanity and materialism have influenced her decision-making, leading her to participate in superficial activities like skiing instead of prioritizing love.
The chorus further highlights the disconnect between her luxury lifestyle and her emotional state. The singer emphasizes that she should be happy but instead witnesses her crying. He questions why she appears so sad if her partner loves her, implying that their treatment of her contradicts their claimed affection. The singer presents himself as an alternative source of love and support, offering open arms and expressing his love for her.
Line by Line Meaning
So me a say now, baby (me a say)
I'm telling you right now, baby
You know say, it's been a while
You know that it's been a long time
Been watching your lifestyle, and (really?)
I've been observing your way of life, and (are you serious?)
I see you chopping, sax (name brands)
I see you buying expensive things (name brands)
I see you with the diamonds, pearls
I see you wearing diamonds, pearls
But I know something missing
But I know something is missing
Baby, you know I can be that link ha ha
Baby, you know I can be that missing part
Me a call you and tell you what I think
I'm calling you to tell you what I think
Gyal, hear me
Girl, listen to me
You have the luxury life, the glamour life
You live a luxurious and glamorous life
But it nuh deceive me
But it doesn't fool me
Me know say you no happy and it grieve me
I know that you're not happy and it saddens me
Girl believe me the mansion fi the living
Girl, believe me, the mansion is for show
Maybach fi do the speeding cyah counteract
Driving a Maybach fast can't compensate for
The beating and the bleeding
The abuse and the pain
Me know you try fi leave him and
I know you've tried to leave him and
Him friend you with the vanity
He lures you with material possessions
Tek you go the skiing
Takes you on skiing trips
Never seeing love is all you need
Never realizing that love is all you need
Like a human being love, run both way
Love, like a human being, goes both ways
But you stressed out most days
But you're stressed out most days
And a try hide the
And you're trying to hide the
Tears underneath Versace shades
Tears beneath your Versace sunglasses
Check Addi, I'm the bliss
Listen to Addi, I'm the happiness
Him buy you that, him buy you this
He buys you that, he buys you this
Ice out your wrist, but at the
Diamonds on your wrist, but at the
Same time him a beat you, that nuh criss
At the same time, he is beating you, that's not right
Rule you with an iron fist
He controls you with extreme authority
That's when the feelings take a twist
That's when the emotions take a turn
Him need fi hug you when you're lonely
He needs to hug you when you're lonely
Surprise you with a kiss
Surprise you with a kiss
Hey what you been missing, baby girl
Hey, what have you been missing, baby girl
I need to find (mi nuh know)
I need to find (I don't know)
You should be happy but instead
You should be happy but instead
Me see you cry (mi nuh know)
I see you cry (I don't know)
You should be running to these
You should be running to these
Open arms of mine remember love has eyes
My open arms, remember love can see
Nuh mek him tell you love is blind (no)
Don't let him tell you love is blind (no)
What you been missing, baby girl
What have you been missing, baby girl
Ah it me have (mi nuh know)
It's me who has it (I don't know)
Then if him love you
Then if he loves you
Then why the hell you look so sad?
Then why do you look so sad?
(Mi nuh know) then if him love you
(I don't know) then if he loves you
Why him treating you so bad?
Why is he treating you so badly?
Hey, me love you more, as a God
Hey, I love you more, like a God
But that mek it harder
But that makes it more challenging
Fi know you have it all but still
To know that you have everything but still
Nuh love and that you rather
Not love and that's what you prefer
You feeling like a child without
You feel like a child without
A mother or a father
A mother or a father
Late at night me know you cry till
Late at night, I know you cry until
Tear drops wet up your Prada
Tears wetting your Prada
King-size bed with silk sheet
A king-size bed with silk sheets
But you alone at night-time
But you're alone at night-time
My double bed can still dweet
My double bed can still do it
But you a moan at night-time
But you moan at night-time
You don't need champagne, from this vine
You don't need champagne from this vine
Try my wine
Try my wine
No box stage VIP, when we a roll
No VIP treatment, when we're out
You a join line
You're joining the queue
No Bentley with nuh chauffeur
No Bentley without a chauffeur
With nuh leather seat and AC
Without leather seats and air conditioning
A cabby with a 94 Nissan from Halfway Tree
A taxi driver with a 1994 Nissan from Halfway Tree
Vanity nuh phase we
Vanity doesn't faze us
Weh nuh make we cyah break we
What doesn't make us can't break us
Me treat you like a goddess
I treat you like a goddess
(goddess) and mi love you like lady
(goddess) and I love you like a lady
Baby, I told you, it's just me, nothing fancy
Baby, I told you, it's just me, nothing extravagant
Nothing high-class
Nothing high-class
You know how all I got is love for you
You know that all I have is love for you
I can take you to places in
I can take you to places in
The world without a Visa
The world without a Visa
I can let you travel without a passport
I can let you travel without a passport
I can let you come to me without moving
I can let you come to me without moving
See me a say now baby
See, I'm saying now baby
You know it's Addi, I'll be your daddy
You know it's Addi, I'll be your daddy
You naffi guh ah di lost and found again
You don't have to go to the lost and found again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
StreetfrassMusic
Here's a throwback from Vybz Kartel "The Teacher's Back" Album ^^
Maggie Edwards
what a shocking blazing track of livity,fly the banner high!!! Vybz Kartel,brap. Vybz Kartel Teach.,
roy francico arrieta jay
GAZA FOR EVER
BG TV
🔥🔥🔥🔥Gaza
Shavar Garvey
world best.... addi do teacha
Kim Antoine
u make we say teacher
Julian Bruce
Vybz you keep England rocking ..Do you ever fail satisfy..No sah .. England love you.. GAZA mi sey
Grind Time Entertainment
1 of the realest
PAKISS VEVO
big up de Worldboss everytime
Tyquan Henry
free mi boss nah stp say gaza