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 Scheme
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steven yow you too damn evil ha ha, mi nah nuh change
A change suh mi grow ah suh mi grow, wi nuh guh below a
Suh mi grow ah suh mi grow, foreigners if unno neva know
Ask di tourist board, 'bout my scheme
[CHORUS:]
Wi ah nuh battyman wi bun di sodomite, love di pussy but did
Sell di crack yes! but wi nah gi no crackhead nuh light nah
Watch weh yuh walk yuh goodly vanish inna di night
Head a tek off like a tourist pon a flight, nuh dead by
Accident wi bust him head fi spite how di fuck yuh si di
Infared and think a peppa light
[VERSE 1:]
Mind yuh business! nuh si things nuh hearings when barrel
Ah spin like bearings, when head ah bust! like airbag inna di
Steering no man ah all nuh fi seh nothing gun like fuckery
Suh di dads flock wi fi bust it like clappas wi bad wi nuh
Act as, my thug nuh wife up slackas nuff ah dem gal ah gi wi
Bakas badman di gal dem love fuck, gal dem 'bout ya plump
Up, any man rumble found at riverton dump up, pump up
Di 12 guage bunch up brain jump up, knife first cut we mek
Di gunbutt, blood pon di culvert fuck di forensics weh
Wi come from police need to exit check this di baddest di address
12 guage road ah suh wi kick it inna my scheme
[CHORUS:]
Wi ah nuh battyman wi bun di sodomite, love di pussy but did
Neva neva bite, real hustla cah di papers haffi right
Sell di crack yes! but wi nah gi no crackhead nuh light nah
Watch weh yuh walk yuh goodly vanish inna di night
Head a tek off like a tourist pon a flight, nuh dead by
Accident wi bust him head fi spite how di fuck yuh si di
Infared and think a peppa light
[VERSE 2:]
Which part mi grow, mi bad from primary lass inna mi backpack
Step up to one pop graduate from dat standard nuh drop back
Mag black fat glock cock dat clap dat, all inna highshool di
Teacha dem we scare rifle tall like T-square chrome like wheelchair
Bleach here kill di guardian cut before police reach here
When yuh come here what yuh see here when yuh leave here mek it
Stay here, if yuh waan fi live fi si gray hair yuh hold your mouth
And gwaan yuh way hear, yuh try fi diss di man here then yuh
Cannot walk weh from here how cold yuh is(wi heart colder than
Ice cream) watch conair, ah suh wi kick it inna my scheme
[CHORUS:]
Wi ah nuh battyman wi bun di sodomite, love di pussy but did
Neva neva bite, real hustla cah di papers haffi right
Sell di crack yes! but wi nah gi no crackhead nuh light nah
Watch weh yuh walk yuh goodly vanish inna di night
Head a tek off like a tourist pon a flight, nuh dead by
Accident wi bust him head fi spite how di fuck yuh si di
Infared and think a peppa light
[OUTRO:]
Mi nah nuh changer a changer suh mi grow ah suh mi grow
Wi nuh come be know suh mi grow ah suh mi grow foreigners
If unno neva know ask di tourist board 'bout my scheme
My scheme 'bout my scheme, my scheme 'bout my scheme
My scheme my scheme ask di tourist board 'bout my scheme
Wi ah nuh battyman wi bun di sodomite, love di pussy but did
Neva neva bite, real hustla cah di papers haffi right
Sell di crack yes! but wi nah gi no crackhead nuh light nah
Watch weh yuh walk yuh goodly vanish inna di night
Head a tek off like a tourist pon a flight, nuh dead by
Accident wi bust him head fi spite how di fuck yuh si di
Infared and think a peppa light
The lyrics to Vybz Kartel's song "My Scheme" focus on his life as a hustler and his determination to succeed despite obstacles. The song begins with a shoutout to his former friend Steven, whom he considers "too damn evil." From there, he asserts that he has not changed and never will, acknowledging that he has grown up with the same mentality he had in his youth.
The chorus of the song emphasizes that despite his various illegal activities, he is not a "battyman" (a derogatory term used to describe homosexuals) and has a strong respect for women. He also insists that any criminal activity he engages in is done with a proper business sense and that no crackhead will ever receive a "light" from him. The verse focuses on his dangerous lifestyle and the violence that often accompanies it. He warns others to stay out of his business and emphasizes that he will do whatever it takes to protect himself and his interests.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a man who has built a life of crime and violence but still takes pride in his work and maintains a code of honor. Despite the subject matter, it's clear from the lyrics that Vybz Kartel has a talent for storytelling and an ear for catchy hooks.
Line by Line Meaning
Steven yow you too damn evil ha ha, mi nah nuh change
A change suh mi grow ah suh mi grow, wi nuh guh below a
Suh mi grow ah suh mi grow, foreigners if unno neva know
Ask di tourist board, 'bout my scheme
I won't change even though people like Steven think I'm evil. I've grown and developed without compromise, and foreigners should inquire about the success of my plan.
Wi ah nuh battyman wi bun di sodomite, love di pussy but did
Neva neva bite, real hustla cah di papers haffi right
Sell di crack yes! but wi nah gi no crackhead nuh light nah
Watch weh yuh walk yuh goodly vanish inna di night
Head a tek off like a tourist pon a flight, nuh dead by
Accident wi bust him head fi spite how di fuck yuh si di
Infared and think a peppa light
We're not gay, we despise homosexuals. We enjoy women, but never force anyone to do anything. We believe in conducting business with proper documentation. We may sell crack, but we do not support addiction. Be careful where you walk because we'll make you disappear. Your head will be gone in no time like a tourist on a plane. We won't hesitate to attack someone, even if it's out of pure spite. Don't mistake our firearms for harmless objects like pepper lights.
Mind yuh business! nuh si things nuh hearings when barrel
Ah spin like bearings, when head ah bust! like airbag inna di
Steering no man ah all nuh fi seh nothing gun like fuckery
Suh di dads flock wi fi bust it like clappas wi bad wi nuh
Act as, my thug nuh wife up slackas nuff ah dem gal ah gi wi
Bakas badman di gal dem love fuck, gal dem 'bout ya plump
Up, any man rumble found at riverton dump up, pump up
Di 12 guage bunch up brain jump up, knife first cut we mek
Di gunbutt, blood pon di culvert fuck di forensics weh
Wi come from police need to exit check this di baddest di address
12 guage road ah suh wi kick it inna my scheme
Stay out of our business and don't spy on us when we're armed. When we start to shoot, there's no turning back. We don't tolerate people who insert themselves where they're not welcome. Our crew is aggressive, and we don't act weak like those who marry lazy people. We believe women love bad men, and they're attracted to our size. Any troublemakers found around Riverton will get eliminated. We use guns to inflict damage, and our attacks are swift and deadly. We handle our problems in our own way without involving the police. Our 12-gauge shotguns are our primary tools for success.
Which part mi grow, mi bad from primary lass inna mi backpack
Step up to one pop graduate from dat standard nuh drop back
Mag black fat glock cock dat clap dat, all inna highshool di
Teacha dem we scare rifle tall like T-square chrome like wheelchair
Bleach here kill di guardian cut before police reach here
When yuh come here what yuh see here when yuh leave here mek it
Stay here, if yuh waan fi live fi si gray hair yuh hold your mouth
And gwaan yuh way hear, yuh try fi diss di man here then yuh
Cannot walk weh from here how cold yuh is(wi heart colder than
Ice cream) watch conair, ah suh wi kick it inna my scheme
I grew up tough, and I've been a bad influence ever since I was in elementary school. I progressed from there and excelled in everything I put my mind to. I carry a gun for protection, and high school teachers respected me because of my rifle skills. We take care of problems ourselves; we don't wait for the police to show up. Don't talk about what you see here when you leave this place. If you wish to live and not see any gray hair, just keep your mouth shut and leave. Don't dare confront me; you'll never be able to leave alive. Our hearts are colder than ice cream, so don't try to get us to change. Watch out because we're always on top of things, and we execute our plans flawlessly.
Mi nah nuh changer a changer suh mi grow ah suh mi grow
Wi nuh come be know suh mi grow ah suh mi grow foreigners
If unno neva know ask di tourist board 'bout my scheme
My scheme 'bout my scheme, my scheme 'bout my scheme
My scheme my scheme ask di tourist board 'bout my scheme
Wi ah nuh battyman wi bun di sodomite, love di pussy but did
Neva neva bite, real hustla cah di papers haffi right
Sell di crack yes! but wi nah gi no crackhead nuh light nah
Watch weh yuh walk yuh goodly vanish inna di night
Head a tek off like a tourist pon a flight, nuh dead by
Accident wi bust him head fi spite how di fuck yuh si di
Infared and think a peppa light
I haven't changed who I am ever since I started my journey. We don't rely on anyone to progress; we've done it on our own. If you don't know about me, ask the tourist board because they know all about my success. We're all about our scheme, and it's brought us a considerable amount of success. We're not gay; we only indulge in women's love. Our business is legitimate, and we've got the paperwork to prove it. We sell crack, but we don't support addiction or enable harmful behavior. Be cautious about where you venture because we can make you disappear. We'll get rid of anyone who crosses us, no matter how innocent they may seem. Don't get blindsided by our weapons; they're real and lethal.
Contributed by Arianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jodihall7153
2023 still listening Gaza for life
@lenoncho3777
Nah nuh change change!!
#Gaza
@Vipa24
All 100 years from now dem song ya still a listen, wen song solid it solid👊🏾👊🏾
@Cahtame
2023 Kartel remain as the greatest artist from Jamaica 💯
@Gsmok3Tv
Mi hav dem chune ya pon mi fone but still haffi foward pon YouTube mek di gaza nation kno mi still ah beat dem chune inna 2019 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥fully gaza 👊🏿
@kcsupreme3512
2020 still strong 💣🧨💥🔥
@snipergogetter4585
2020
@lilkwizbeats9343
On fonem grave
@duttymotty9172
Fully gaza
@Fully6ixxx_xx
Fr g 💯💯💯💯