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.
Miami Vice Episode
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gyal in a bikini
Everybody got a red cup
In a the pool party
Like a scene from a movie
Staring everybody
Ohh, ohh, ohh
Ohh, ohh, ohh
A miami voice episode
Wi a star and a fi wi show
Hey gyal I wanna gi yo more
Girl its for every if you wanna
It's forever if you wanna
Pretty girls in a the pool all day
Beach ball fi the ladies play
We have a bar beside the DJ
And a one class clown yo know the ceechae
Mi feel nice, mi spliff drop
A in a the wrizzla a deh the gift wrapped
So mi, so mi pull out a next one
Like ZJ Rush remix that
(Repeat)
I love the beach vibes
Up in a the club, up in a the club nice
Mi love pool party
Come yah pretty girl come wine paw mi
I love the beach vibes
Up in a the club, up in a the club nice
Mi love pool party
Come yah pretty girl, come yah pretty girl, come yah pretty girl
(Repeat)
The lyrics to Vybz Kartel's song "Miami Vice Episode" describe a wild pool party in Miami where everyone is having the time of their lives. With the gyal in bikinis and red cups in everyone's hands, it feels like they are all in a scene from a movie. The song encourages the ladies to come and dance with the men and have a good time. The line "It's forever if you wanna" suggests that this is a moment that will stay with them forever.
The song captures the fun and carefree atmosphere of Miami, where people come to have a good time and forget their worries. The reference to Miami Vice, a famous TV series from the 1980s, adds to the nostalgic ambiance of the song. This song is, therefore, not only about partying but also about enjoying the moment and making unforgettable memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Put yo put yo hands up
Encouraging everyone to raise their hands in excitement.
Gyal in a bikini
Referring to the girls wearing bikinis at the pool party.
Everybody got a red cup
Noticing everyone has a red cup to drink from at the party.
In a the pool party
Emphasizing the setting of the song for the audience.
Like a scene from a movie
Comparing the party atmosphere to a scene from a movie to emphasize the excitement.
Staring everybody
Noticing and appreciating everyone's presence at the party.
Ohh, ohh, ohh
An expression of excitement and enjoyment.
A miami voice episode
Referring to the song as a representation of a Miami party episode.
Wi a star and a fi wi show
Indicating that they are the stars of this party and it's their show.
Hey gyal I wanna gi yo more
Expressing a desire to give more party experience to the ladies present.
Girl its for every if you wanna
Emphasizing that everyone is welcome to participate and enjoy the party.
It's forever if you wanna
Implying that the good times and memories from this party will last forever if wanted.
Pretty girls in a the pool all day
Observing that there are many pretty girls enjoying the pool party all day long.
Beach ball fi the ladies play
Noticing that the ladies are playing with a beach ball at the party.
We have a bar beside the DJ
Explaining that they have a bar situated near the DJ at the party.
And a one class clown yo know the ceechae
Identifying that there is a fun and entertaining person present at the party who always keeps everyone entertained.
Mi feel nice, mi spliff drop
Admitting to feeling good and relaxed, making the artist's spliff fall from their mouth.
A in a the wrizzla a deh the gift wrapped
Referencing a type of rolling paper called 'wrizzla' where the weed is wrapped in, and calling it a gift.
So mi, so mi pull out a next one
Continuing to smoke and pull out another spliff from their supply.
Like ZJ Rush remix that
Comparing pulling out the next spliff to a DJ pulling out a new remix on their set.
(Repeat)
Repeating the hook of the song.
I love the beach vibes
Expressing an appreciation for the atmosphere present at the beach party.
Up in a the club, up in a the club nice
Acknowledging a positive atmosphere at the club, and the singer's enjoyment of it.
Mi love pool party
Loving the party that is currently going on.
Come yah pretty girl come wine paw mi
Inviting a girl to come over and dance intimately with the singer.
(Repeat)
Repeating the hook of the song again.
Writer(s): Adidja Azim Palmer, Jevaughni Raymond Williams
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ghanziseuss
"me feel nice, me spliff drop" totally relatable 😂😂
@bellawilliamson3361
🤣🤣
@jackieh4252
Respect to all the rest of Dancehall but Vybz Kartel come like Michael Jackson. Man is a living legend. There will never be another Vybz. Glad to have lived during his era even with the good and the bad. The man was made for music.
@samu3xl179
Fi real dawgy Free Up di WorldBaws
@worlboss837
U r soo right
@chosen1tv9797
real talk
@peterkiarie8145
jackie h big up yourself
@eunicamiller820
amen to this comment
@beastkuntah
2020 Still A Miami vice
@linforddurrant196
2021 listening how Teacha caresses the rythm 💯