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.
New Millennium
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wid a bottle of tall Canei
Tough a lie?
Spliff a light spliff, so till mi high
Cork a fly,
Crate of Guinness pile up inna di sky
Ooman a watch mi like a spy
Kartel nuh shy guy
Dem want mi bona fide
Dem get high, driving inna di 320i
Inna July, di pressure 'pon di pussy mi apply
And inna April baby a cry
Dis a di new millenium
A different thing a gwaan
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
And when yuh see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
A just di pressure we apply
Wi a go turn it on
Dis a di new millenium
A different thing a gwaan
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
And when yuh see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
A just di pressure we apply
Wi a go turn it on
Cold Guinness or hot Guinness
But mi nuh business
Weed mi have wrap up
Like file paper inna Wrigley's
Souls a play, ooman a stray
Dat a mi business
Gal a brace fi sumptin
Till it big like West Indies
Pelpa time, gal a bruk out like diseases
She a do what she pleases, You a di vibes
Di gal a no leaches
Cah mi new releases a
No fi man weh inna di faeces
Dis a di new millenium
A different thing a gwaan
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
And when yuh see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
A just di pressure we apply
Wi a go turn it on
Dis a di new millenium
A different thing a gwaan
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
And when yuh see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
A just di pressure we apply
Wi a go turn it on
Five-o
Can't come lock it off
So if dance deh 'pon di road block it off
If a weed slap it off
If a gun back it off
Dem search and can't find, everybody laugh
Liquor sell off, not a bottle wid a cork
Promoter & him friend dem a laugh
How dem laugh
Tra la la la la la la la la la
How dem laugh
Tra la la la la la la la la la
Tell dem
Dis a di new millenium
A different thing a gwaan
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
And when yuh see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
A just di pressure we apply
Wi a go turn it on
Dis a di new millenium
A different thing a gwaan
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
And when yuh see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
A just di pressure we apply
Wi a go turn it on
Inna mi Karl Kani
Wid a bottle of tall Canei
Tough a lie?
Spliff a light spliff, so till mi high
Cork a fly,
Crate of Guinness pile up inna di sky
Ooman a watch mi like a spy
Kartel nuh shy guy
Mi nah go lie, gal dem seh
Dem want mi bona fide
Dem get high, driving inna di 320i
Inna July, di pressure 'pon di pussy mi apply
And inna April baby a cry
Dis a di new millenium
A different thing a gwaan
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
And when yuh see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
A just di pressure we apply
Wi a go turn it on
Dis a di new millenium
A different thing a gwaan
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
And when yuh see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
A just di pressure we apply
Wi a go turn it on
Cold Guinness or hot Guinness
But mi nuh business
Weed mi have wrap up
Like file paper inna Wrigley's
Souls a play, ooman a stray
Dat a mi business
Gal a brace fi sumptin
Till it big like West Indies
Pelpa time, gal a bruk out like diseases
She a do what she pleases, You a di vibes
Di gal a no leaches
Cah mi new releases a
No fi man weh inna di faeces
Dis a di new millenium
A different thing a gwaan
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
And when yuh see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
A just di pressure we apply
Wi a go turn it on
The lyrics of "New Millenium" by Vybz Kartel and Wayne Marshall describe the lavish and carefree lifestyle of these two successful Jamaican musicians. They paint vivid images of themselves smoking weed and drinking alcohol, with crates of Guinness piling up in the sky. The chorus talks about how the new millennium is different, and how they are going to create a storm wherever they go. The references to pressure in the lyrics suggest that they apply pressure in everything they do, whether it's driving their 320i with the ladies or creating music that leaves an impact.
The ad-libs in Jamaican Creole are peppered throughout the song, adding a sense of authenticity to the lyrics by incorporating the colloquial language of Jamaica. Phrases like "so till mi high" and "Pelpa time" are unique to Jamaican Creole, bringing a local flavor to the song. The verses are filled with references to women, sex, and the luxurious lifestyle of two very successful musicians.
The song is a great representation of the dancehall genre, a style of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1970s. It is characterized by its fast-paced, upbeat rhythms and lyrics that address social and political issues in Jamaica. Vybz Kartel and Wayne Marshall are two of the most popular dancehall artists, and "New Millenium" is a testament to their lyrical skills and ability to create catchy hooks and beats.
Line by Line Meaning
Inna mi Karl Kani
I'm wearing my Karl Kani clothing
Wid a bottle of tall Canei
With a bottle of the alcoholic beverage Canei
Tough a lie?
Is it a lie?
Spliff a light spliff, so till mi high
I'm smoking marijuana and getting really high
Cork a fly,
I'm having a great time
Crate of Guinness pile up inna di sky
There are so many bottles of Guinness (another alcoholic beverage) stacked up high
Ooman a watch mi like a spy
Women are watching me like spies
Kartel nuh shy guy
I'm not a shy guy
Mi nah go lie, gal dem seh
I won't lie, the ladies say
Dem want mi bona fide
They want my authenticity
Dem get high, driving inna di 320i
They get high while driving in a BMW 320i
Inna July, di pressure 'pon di pussy mi apply
In July, I apply pressure to women's genitals
And inna April baby a cry
And in April, babies are born
Dis a di new millenium
This is the new millennium
A different thing a gwaan
We're doing things differently now
Marshall and Kartel a go create a storm
Marshall and Kartel will create a big impact
And when yuh see us in the club
And when you see us in the club
Or see us on di lawn
Or see us on the lawn
A just di pressure we apply
We just apply pressure
Wi a go turn it on
We're going to turn it on
Cold Guinness or hot Guinness
I don't care if the Guinness is cold or hot
But mi nuh business
I don't care
Weed mi have wrap up
I have wrapped up some marijuana
Like file paper inna Wrigley's
Just like how gum wrappers are wrapped
Souls a play, ooman a stray
Music is playing and women are wandering around
Dat a mi business
That's my business
Gal a brace fi sumptin
Women are getting ready for something
Till it big like West Indies
Until it becomes as big as the West Indies
Pelpa time, gal a bruk out like diseases
During party time, women are dancing all over like a disease
She a do what she pleases, You a di vibes
She's doing what she wants, we're enjoying the vibes
Di gal a no leaches
These women are not parasites
Cah mi new releases a
Because of my new music releases
No fi man weh inna di faeces
Not for men who are in a bad situation
Five-o
Police
Can't come lock it off
They can't shut us down
So if dance deh 'pon di road block it off
If there's dancing on the road, block it off
If a weed slap it off
If someone is smoking weed, slap it out of their hand
If a gun back it off
If there's a gun, back off from the situation
Dem search and can't find, everybody laugh
The police search and can't find anything, causing everyone to laugh
Liquor sell off, not a bottle wid a cork
All the liquor has sold out and there's not even a bottle with a cork left
Promoter & him friend dem a laugh
The promoter and his friends are laughing
How dem laugh
They're laughing really hard
Tra la la la la la la la la la
They're laughing and joking around
Tell dem
Let them know
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADIDJA PALMER, SHIAH COORE, WAYNE MITCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@privatenelson9351
Who still here2024.. thumbs up
@britaniabarrett9130
2023 and still hot 💯when will we get authentic music like this again
@LaurenceAdams
Agreed 🎉
@-M0LE
This one of the BEST tracks ever made
Kartel flow 💯 unmatched
@sonyskywire4514
💯💯💯💯
@treahboss5998
2020 anyone?
#2020vision
@mrtrendvampire
2021!
@armani7932
2021😆❤
@eerie_blur
"2021" 👉🏼🧠
@lith1156
high school days in Kingston Jamaica early 2000's, nostalgia 🙏💯