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.
Nah Hold We Down
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We down(some bwoy weh waan stop wi) I swear dem leave mi
All when kingfish and every fbi a look fi mi
Russian have di coke inna di boiling pot a cook fi mi
Jordan mi nuh believe seh ghetto youth control dem destiny
Nuff ah wi deh a jail dat mean di judge decide what's best fi wi
Dat's why mi hustle hard try fi mek money
Jah know three and a half years di judge bwoy get eddie
Him nuh si him early twenties and dem gone wid it already
Weeee(ghetto youths) nah guh mek dem hold (dem fi let wi go)
Weeee down(we nuh profit it) nah guh mek dem hold (dem caan
Dweet)weeee down, nah guh mek dem hold weeee down(wi nuh profit)
Wi nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan dweet) weeee
Blood nah stop run like runner pon di trackfield
Until wi lifestyle dem understand and
Feel how hungry belly plus nothing inna pot feel
Weh politician owe bramma one
Fi tek care of all di hungry kids dem in maxfield
Fi find a roof and a hot meal
That's why dem a find out how di uzi and di macs feel
Dem caan stop di youths from stop steal
Weeee(ghetto youths) nah guh mek dem hold (dem fi let wi go)
Weeee down(we nuh profit it) nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan
Dweet)weeee down, nah guh mek dem hold weeee down(wi nuh profit)
Wi nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan dweet) weeee
Dem a hold wi down inna di ghetto so long
From mi born grown inna quarrel
Ah di system make wi nuh trust nuh man
Wi grow like grab inna barrel
Food price a ride wi light jaw just hung
Mi guh bang fi draw but mi draw nil
Mi love thugs music but if you nah sing dat
Song ya nuh sing nuh song
Weeee(ghetto youths) nah guh mek dem hold (dem fi let wi go)
Weeee down(we nuh profit it) nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan
Dweet)weeee down, nah guh mek dem hold weeee down(wi nuh profit)
Wi nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan dweet) weeee
Weee nah guh mek dem hold weee down, yow russian head concussion
Believe mi weeee(ghetto youths) nah guh mek dem hold (dem fi let wi go)
Weeee down(we nuh profit it) nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan
Dweet)weeee down disparity, nah guh mek dem hold weee down
Wi nah guh mek dem hold weee down dem caan dweet
The song "Nah Hold We Down" by Vybz Kartel is a powerful commentary on the struggles and oppression faced by ghetto youths in Jamaica. The lyrics speak to the ways in which these young people are held back by government corruption, poverty, and lack of opportunities, and how they strive to rise above these barriers and make a better life for themselves. The chorus, "we down, nah guh mek dem hold we down" is a defiant call to action, asserting the belief that no one can stop them from achieving their goals.
The verses of the song delve deeper into the specific challenges faced by these youths. The lines "All when kingfish and every FBI a look fi mi / Russian have di coke inna di boiling pot a cook fi mi" speak to the reality of drug trafficking and the government's efforts to crack down on it. The line "Jordan mi nuh believe seh ghetto youth control dem destiny" highlights the pervasive sense of hopelessness and lack of agency that many young people in the ghetto feel. The verse also touches on issues of justice and the ways in which the system is rigged against them, with lines like "Nuff ah wi deh a jail dat mean di judge decide what's best fi wi".
The song is a powerful anthem that resonates with many young people in Jamaica and beyond. It not only exposes the harsh realities of life in the ghetto but also serves as a call to action to fight against injustice and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Weeeeee(yow Russian) nah guh mek dem hold(head concussion)
Ghetto youths won't let anyone hold them down, as they are determined and ready to fight for their rights and freedom
We down(some bwoy weh waan stop wi) I swear dem leave mi
No matter how hard some people try to stop us, we won't give up, as we are resilient and strong
All when kingfish and every fbi a look fi mi
Even if the authorities are searching for me, I won't be found easily, as I am elusive and cunning
Russian have di coke inna di boiling pot a cook fi mi
Russian is cooking cocaine for me, which will provide me with the money and power I need to succeed in life
Jordan mi nuh believe seh ghetto youth control dem destiny
I don't believe that ghetto youths have control over their own destiny, as they are constantly oppressed by the system
Nuff ah wi deh a jail dat mean di judge decide what's best fi wi
Many of us are in jail, which means that the judge has the power to decide what's best for us and our future
Dat's why mi hustle hard try fi mek money
That's why I work hard and try to make money, so that I can have the resources to fight back against the system
Lawyer fee nuh cheap mi nah guh stress mi madda fi get money
Lawyer fees are expensive, so I won't burden my mother with the financial responsibility of paying for them
Jah know three and a half years di judge bwoy get eddie
God knows that the judge will receive a punishment of his own for the injustice he has inflicted upon the ghetto youths
Him nuh si him early twenties and dem gone wid it already
The judge doesn't realize that the early twenties of the ghetto youths have been taken away from them due to the injustices they have faced
Blood nah stop run like runner pon di trackfield
There will be bloodshed and violence like a race on a trackfield, as the ghetto youths fight for their rights
Until wi lifestyle dem understand and feel how hungry belly plus nothing inna pot feel
The system won't change until they understand the struggle of the ghetto youths, who face poverty and hunger every day
Weh politician owe bramma one
Politicians owe it to the ghetto youths to take care of their needs and provide them with basic necessities
Fi tek care of all di hungry kids dem in maxfield
They need to take care of all the hungry children in Maxfield, who are suffering due to poverty and neglect
Fi find a roof and a hot meal
They need to provide them with shelter and basic food resources, which are fundamental human needs
That's why dem a find out how di uzi and di macs feel
That's why the ghetto youths are resorting to using guns and other weapons to express their anger and frustration towards the system
Dem caan stop di youths from stop steal
The authorities can't stop the ghetto youths from resorting to stealing and other illegal activities in order to survive
Weee(ghetto youths) nah guh mek dem hold (dem fi let wi go)
Ghetto youths won't let anyone hold them down, as they are determined and ready to fight for their rights and freedom
Weeee down(we nuh profit it) nah guh mek dem hold (dem caan Dweet)
We don't benefit from the current system, so we won't let anyone hold us down and prevent us from making a change
Wi nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan dweet)
We won't allow the system to hold us down and deter us from achieving our goals and aspirations
Dem a hold wi down inna di ghetto so long
The system has been holding down the ghetto youths for too long, and it's time to break free and fight back
From mi born grown inna quarrel
The ghetto youths have grown up in an environment of conflict and hardship, which has shaped their resilience and determination
Ah di system make wi nuh trust nuh man
The system has made the ghetto youths distrustful of others, as they have been oppressed and let down by many people in authority
Wi grow like grab inna barrel
The ghetto youths have grown up in a crowded, disadvantaged environment, which has made them resilient and tough
Food price a ride wi light jaw just hung
The rising cost of food has left the ghetto youths hungry and struggling to survive
Mi guh bang fi draw but mi draw nil
The ghetto youths are willing to fight and defend themselves, but they often lack the resources and power to do so effectively
Mi love thugs music but if you nah sing dat song ya nuh sing nuh song
I enjoy gangster music, but if you don't sing about the struggles and hardships of the ghetto youths, then your music is meaningless to me
We down disparity, nah guh mek dem hold weee down
We won't let anyone hold us down and prevent us from fighting against the disparity and inequality in our society
Wi nah guh mek dem hold weee down dem caan dweet
We won't allow the system to hold us down and deter us from achieving our goals and aspirations
Writer(s): TARIK LUKE JOHNSTON, ADIDJA PALMER
Contributed by Camden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Xperted___ Pt2
[INTRO:]
Weeeeee(yow Russian) nah guh mek dem hold(head concussion)
We down(some bwoy weh waan stop wi) I swear dem leave mi
[VERSE 1:]
All when kingfish and every fbi a look fi mi
Russian have di coke inna di boiling pot a cook fi mi
Jordan mi nuh believe seh ghetto youth control dem destiny
Nuff ah wi deh a jail dat mean di judge decide what's best fi wi
Dat's why mi hustle hard try fi mek money
Lawyer fee nuh cheap mi nah guh stress mi madda fi get money
Jah know three and a half years di judge bwoy get eddie
Him nuh si him early twenties and dem gone wid it already
[CHORUS:]
Weeee(ghetto youths) nah guh mek dem hold (dem fi let wi go)
Weeee down(we nuh profit it) nah guh mek dem hold (dem caan
Dweet [x2])weeee down, nah guh mek dem hold weeee down(wi nuh profit)
Wi nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan dweet [x2]) weeee
[VERSE 2:]
Blood nah stop run like runner pon di trackfield
Until wi lifestyle dem understand and
Feel how hungry belly plus nothing inna pot feel
Weh politician owe bramma one
Fi tek care of all di hungry kids dem in maxfield
Fi find a roof and a hot meal
That's why dem a find out how di uzi and di macs feel
Dem caan stop di youths from stop steal
[CHORUS:]
Weeee(ghetto youths) nah guh mek dem hold (dem fi let wi go)
Weeee down(we nuh profit it) nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan
Dweet [x2])weeee down, nah guh mek dem hold weeee down(wi nuh profit)
Wi nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan dweet [x2]) weeee
[VERSE 3:]
Dem a hold wi down inna di ghetto so long
From mi born grown inna quarrel
Ah di system make wi nuh trust nuh man
Wi grow like grab inna barrel
Food price a ride wi light jaw just hung
Mi guh bang fi draw but mi draw nil
Mi love thugs music but if you nah sing dat
Song ya nuh sing nuh song
[CHORUS:]
Weeee(ghetto youths) nah guh mek dem hold (dem fi let wi go)
Weeee down(we nuh profit it) nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan
Dweet [x2])weeee down, nah guh mek dem hold weeee down(wi nuh profit)
Wi nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan dweet [x2]) weeee
[OUTRO:]
Weee nah guh mek dem hold weee down, yow russian head concussion
Believe mi weeee(ghetto youths) nah guh mek dem hold (dem fi let wi go)
Weeee down(we nuh profit it) nah guh mek dem hold(dem caan
Dweet [x2])weeee down disparity, nah guh mek dem hold weee down
Wi nah guh mek dem hold weee down dem caan dweet
Eric Brown
The voice of FREEDOM and REPATRIATION!!!
Siesie Champion
his music WILL LIVE ON!!!
Djbal_t Comedy
Jah know star! Dem song yah get mi emotional cause mi remember when mi use to do security work and Deh pan some form ina some Bush a watch people goate and cow mi use to listen this song and meditate and pray fi a better way out now mi a tek plane🛫 like taxi. Nah mek dem hold me down
Dadz Whyte
No jokeee
Imhotep Pinder
Yow...... Jah know star
troy wright
Nuh joke cuz bro
Ricardo Green
Can relate
GEMB-ALENT.
❤
Gaza Jade Brown
Lyrically unstoppable you can't underestimate his work ethic hits after hits back catalogue fat like mi pum pum 👏👏🔥🔥🔥🔥 free the incarcerated hero dancehall Savior freedom is a must
Star
All in prison for 10 years and they still can’t hold him down.. kartel = the strength of 100 men