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.
My Money
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good ova evil hahaha
Money green (Green green)
Me wah million US inna my jeans
Dat a real high screen
Yeah, yeah mi think bout dat
Suh me talk to di ghetto
Haha, yuh head get hot
Me nuh know if coffin fit you
But it don't fit me
Every black man born fi mek dollars
Ey, if me bruk last year
Dis year me nah fail
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
Buy out di world if di world for sale
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
See di thugs dem dis a fi di female
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
Bare money, bare money
Me wah weigh money, weigh money, weigh
My bankbook fi weigh hundred million pound
Sterling, time fi me earning, earning
God show me a sign seh me a go get rich
Me hand it burning, it burning
Dem seh rich man a go hell inna di Bible
We done go and returning
Ghetto youth affi see di table turning
A Addi Di Teacha higher learning
Ey, if me bruk last year
Dis year me nah fail
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
Buy out di world if di world for sale
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
See di thugs dem dis a fi di female
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
Bare money, bare money
Me wah weigh money, weigh money, weigh
Ey, a nuh likkle bit a try my daddy try
A nuh likkle bit a cry my mommy cry
Why black people affi dead and go heaven
Fi get dem salvation inna di sky
Me wah mind pon earth me nah satisfy
Rhyno buy car how dat is fly
How me fu wait til me go dead
Fi a fly with angel (ehem) a di wackest fly
Mansion inna di hill me fi occupy
High grade me fi smoke til me rocket high
Thousands a woman my ego fi gratify
Panty dem affi fly dat da weh me proficy
Chinci, sing inna me head like la la-bye
Convict me to money proverty me ally buy
If me youth hungry me cry like smaddy die
Di youth dem a Portmore seh dem nah get poor
If me bruk last year dis year me nah fail
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
Buy out di world if di world for sale
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
See di thugs dem dis a fi di female
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
Bare money, bare money
Me wah weigh money, weigh money, weigh
Money green (Green green)
Me wah million US inna my jeans
Dat a real high screen
Yeah, yeah mi think bout dat
Suh me talk to di ghetto
Youth dem inna my Scheme
Haha, yuh head get hot
Me nuh know if coffin fit you
But it don't fit me
Every black man born fi mek dollars
If me bruk last year dis year me nah fail
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
Buy out di world if di world for sale
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
See di thugs dem dis a fi di female
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
Bare money, bare money
Me wah weigh money, weigh money, weigh
Money green (green, green)
In Vybz Kartel's song "My Money", he talks about the importance of money and the ambition to have a lot of it. He starts by saying that good triumphs over evil, and then proceeds to talk about his desire to have a million US dollars in his jeans. He refers to this as a "real high screen" and mentions that he thinks about it a lot.
He then talks to the youth in his community (Scheme) and says that he doesn't know if being buried in a coffin will fit them, but it won't fit him because he was born to make money. He talks about how he won't fail this year because he learned from his mistakes last year, and he wants to buy out the world if it's for sale. He mentions that he wants to weigh his money on a scale to see how much he has.
Kartel talks about his desire for material possessions like a mansion in the hills, smoking high-grade weed, satisfying his ego with thousands of women, and having designer underwear. He also acknowledges that he understands that he needs to work hard to make that money and is willing to do what it takes. He wants the youth in his community to see the power of money and to understand that they too can be financially successful.
Line by Line Meaning
Money green (Green green)
Referring to the color of money, Vybz Kartel expresses his desire for riches.
Me wah million US inna my jeans
Vybz Kartel desires to have one million United States dollars in his pockets.
Dat a real high screen
Having a million dollars in his pocket is the ultimate goal for Vybz Kartel and he considers it an impressive feat.
Yeah, yeah mi think bout dat
Vybz Kartel is constantly thinking about his desire to have a million dollars in his possession and what he could do with it.
Suh me talk to di ghetto
Vybz Kartel uses his music to speak to the less fortunate individuals living in poverty, in hopes of inspiring them to strive for success.
Youth dem inna my Scheme
The young people in Vybz Kartel's community are part of his plan to achieve success.
Haha, yuh head get hot
Vybz Kartel is aware that his music might provoke a reaction from people, but he still remains steadfast in his pursuit of wealth.
Me nuh know if coffin fit you
Vybz Kartel makes it clear that his aspiration for money is not shared by everyone, and he does not care about others’ opinions.
But it don't fit me
For Vybz Kartel, being broke and unable to attain wealth is not an option or a desirable fate.
Every black man born fi mek dollars
According to Vybz Kartel, every black person is born with the potential to make money and achieve financial success.
Ey, if me bruk last year
Vybz Kartel refers to his past financial struggles and how he wants to overcome them.
Dis year me nah fail
This year, Vybz Kartel aims not to fail in his quest for financial prosperity.
Me wah weigh my money pan scale
Vybz Kartel wants to measure his success by weighing his money on a scale.
Buy out di world if di world for sale
Vybz Kartel sets his sights on investing his wealth in owning the world, should it ever be up for sale.
See di thugs dem dis a fi di female
Vybz Kartel observes that women gravitate towards men with wealth and power.
Bare money, bare money
Vybz Kartel repeats that he wants a lot of money.
My bankbook fi weigh hundred million pound
Vybz Kartel wants his bankbook to have a balance of one hundred million pounds.
Sterling, time fi me earning, earning
Vybz Kartel is determined to earn a significant amount of money in British pounds sterling.
God show me a sign seh me a go get rich
Vybz Kartel prays for a sign from God indicating that he will become wealthy.
Me hand it burning, it burning
Vybz Kartel's desire to hold large sums of money is so strong that his hands burn with anticipation.
Dem seh rich man a go hell inna di Bible
There is a saying that rich people go to hell, but Vybz Kartel disregards this and still wants to be wealthy.
We done go and returning
Vybz Kartel believes that successful people can come from humble beginnings and still return with wealth and prosperity.
Ghetto youth affi see di table turning
Vybz Kartel wants other poor, ghetto youth to be inspired by his success and believe that they can achieve the same.
A Addi Di Teacha higher learning
Vybz Kartel refers to himself as the 'Teacha' who educates people about the importance of earning a lot of money for oneself.
A nuh likkle bit a try my daddy try
Vybz Kartel believes that his father tried hard to earn money, and he does not plan to give up easily.
A nuh likkle bit a cry my mommy cry
Vybz Kartel's mother probably cried out of frustration because of poverty, and he wants to make sure that he can take care of her and not have her cry over money again.
Why black people affi dead and go heaven
Vybz Kartel highlights the idea that black people should not have to die in order to experience heaven or a good life.
Fi get dem salvation inna di sky
Vybz Kartel believes that black people should not have to wait until they die to receive salvation or be financially stable.
Me wah mind pon earth me nah satisfy
Vybz Kartel wants to remain on this earth long enough to achieve all his financial goals and not be content with merely surviving.
Rhyno buy car how dat is fly
Vybz Kartel talks about a successful friend who recently bought a car, and how impressive it is to him.
How me fu wait til me go dead
Vybz Kartel does not want to wait until he dies to experience wealth and prosperity; he wants it now.
Fi a fly with angel (ehem) a di wackest fly
The idea of dying in order to 'fly like an angel' is not significant to Vybz Kartel, and he believes it is a weak aspiration.
Mansion inna di hill me fi occupy
Vybz Kartel wants to own a mansion and occupy it on top of a hill to showcase his wealth and success.
High grade me fi smoke til me rocket high
Vybz Kartel also desires to spend his wealth on expensive weed and get so high that he feels like he is in a rocket.
Thousands a woman my ego fi gratify
The idea of being with thousands of women is not an ambition for Vybz Kartel, but rather a way to fulfill his ego and prove his success to others through his interactions with women.
Panty dem affi fly dat da weh me proficy
Vybz Kartel wants to be so rich that women are throwing their underwear at him, a sign of how famous and successful he has become.
Chinci, sing inna me head like la la-bye
A woman named Chinci has a hypnotic effect on Vybz Kartel, and he thinks of her often like a lullaby.
Convict me to money proverty me ally buy
Vybz Kartel is fiercely committed to earning and spending his money on the best possible products without succumbing to poverty.
If me youth hungry me cry like smaddy die
If Vybz Kartel sees underprivileged youth in his community who are hungry, he is moved to tears and considers it a significant issue.
Di youth dem a Portmore seh dem nah get poor
In Portmore, a community where Vybz Kartel has many fans, the youth are determined never to experience poverty and aspire to be successful like him.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielvillalobos8552
Yo Merital
Laugh off a bad mind hehehe
Laugh off a dem again hehehehe
Weh dem grudge yuh fa fi fren
Tru you have a bank load a money fi spen
A wah do dem
Dem have money problem
Laugh wi a laugh an a solve dem
Sick bad
You know it's Merital, Merital
Haha
Hmm Hmmm my money money ha ha
My money money money ha ha
Hmmm Hmmm money money ha ha
Mek teacher laugh out like a Santa Ha haaaa ha
Mi waan mi money ha ha
My money money money ha ha
Hmmm Hmmm my money ha ha
Mek you knee laugh out like a Santa ha ha
Mi waan mi money pile up
Mi money too criss it nuh fi soil up
So mi spen it in a script an inna join up
Out a door weh mi si mi money line up
Mi have money inna coil money inna bungle
Mi have money a Tivoli mi have money a Jungle
Money a laugh off ta mi das why mi caan humble
Money fi gi mi madda and mi one teeth uncle
Hmm Hmmm my money money ha ha
My money money money ha ha
Hmmm Hmmm money money ha ha
Mek teacher laugh out like a Santa Ha haaaa ha
Mi waan mi money ha ha
My money money money ha ha
Hmmm Hmmm my moneh ha ha
Mek you knee laugh out like a Santa ha ha
Mi have money inna jug money inna paint pan
Mi have money a flanker mi have money a payne land
Money house money car money bed mi lay pon
Mi spen Jesus money so nuh touch mi satan
Mi waan money fi spen money fi len
Money fi gi Auntie Gwen
Money fi chill pon week-end
Me and mi girl buy two jet ski an a pre
Pagan you caan stop mi well stree free
Hmm Hmmm my money money ha ha
My money money money ha ha
Hmmm Hmmm money money ha ha
Mek teacher laugh out like a Santa Ha haaaa ha
Mi waan mi money ha ha
My money money money ha ha
Hmmm Hmmm my money ha ha
Mek you knee laugh out like a Santa ha ha
Queen Elixabeth a gi wi money
Barak Obama yes dem a gi wi money
Flankers to Gaza wi a spen moeny
Gi wi money wi waan money
Laugh wi laugh an spen money
@DJsha-city
This the real dutty money riddim
@TrinidadCrazy
Leave a 'like' so i could remember this song🔥💲
@YTsoono
Bad man singing Next Tune
@shawnaaali9953
"hahaha my money money hahaha"
@SuperBlahblahgirl
Love this song!!! omg!!!
@pauladee7738
I remember this song
@jajmocak6258
Love it
@SteaminKit
Love it baddddddddddddddddd
@stupidbrothers6617
Cool song
@curlygabz7343
It bad