Vybz Kartel (born Adidja Palmer, Jan. 7, 1976) is a Jamaican dancehall deej… Read Full Bio ↴Vybz Kartel (born Adidja Palmer, Jan. 7, 1976) is a Jamaican dancehall deejay.

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.

Picture Me and You
Vybz Kartel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro]
Timeless, (Time)
See mi are say up to di time
Still yuh nah know baby
I just got to say close yuh eyes
And imagine that, you are with me
On a long island of paradise
And I just close my eyes to

And imagine that I'm somewhere with you
On the U.S Virgin Islands, (Right Away)
Baby, Baby……

[Chorus]
Eh!
Picture me and u, u and me K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Den!
Picture me and u, under de tree F-U-C-K-I-N-G
Eh!
How man fe bow dem wickedy no S-U-C-K-I-N-G
Gal!
U ah me Q-U-E-E-N so me, so me ah u K-I-N-G

[Verse 1]
De first time buddy go inna her
Me wake up to good morning sir!
Where is de breakfast? Wots u prefer?
Me say stop - baby remain as u were
Me nah eat inna bed dat wont occur
Becuase me nah gummy bear nor kissy fer
But i like de way u shake it right thurr
So turn back-way mek me ge fe enter de center

[Chorus]
Picture me and u, u and me K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Den!
Picture me and u, under de tree F-U-C-K-I-N-G
Eh!
How man fe bow dem wickedy no S-U-C-K-I-N-G
Gal!
U ah me Q-U-E-E-N so me, i am K-I-N-G

[Verse 2]
Quint it, make me sink it
If u pretty like ashanti me murda ink it
Pussy print it me nah nyam shurley biscuit
Which butter kiss? Neva will, neva kissed it
Under house arrest me hold yo breast an' frisk it
Dis dick hurt up yo belly like Nesquik
Me nuh chocolate, bad man tongue nuh fork-lift
U nuh fe ask if god bless me wid ah rass-lif
Ha ha!

[Chorus]
Picture me and u, u and me K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Den!
Picture me and u, under de tree F-U-C-K-I-N-G
Eh!
man fe bow dem wickedy no S-U-C-K-I-N-G
Gal!
U ah me Q-U-E-E-N so me, i am K-I-N-G

[Verse 1]
De first time buddy go inna her
Me wake up to good morning sir!
Where is de breakfast? Wots u prefer?
Me say stop - baby remain as u were
Me nah eat inna bed dat wont occur
Becuase me nah gummy bear nor kissy fer
But i like de way u shake it right thurr
So turn back-way mek me ge fe enter de center

[Chorus]
Picture me and u, u and me K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Den!
Picture me and u, under de tree F-U-C-K-I-N-G
Eh!
How man fe bow dem wickedy no S-U-C-K-I-N-G
Gal!
U ah me Q-U-E-E-N so me, i am K-I-N-G

[Verse 2]
Quint it, make me sink it
If u pretty like ashanti me murda ink it
Pussy print it me nah nyam shurley biscuit
Which butter kiss? Neva will, neva kissed it
Under house arrest me hold yo breast an' frisk it
Dis dick hurt up yo belly like Nesquik
Me nuh chocolate, bad man tongue nuh fork-lift
U nuh fe ask if god bless me wid ah rass-lif

Ha ha!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Vybz Kartel's song "Picture Me and You" describe a tumultuous relationship where the singer has finally come to the realization that their partner does not truly love them. They plead with their partner to let them go, recognizing that it is time to move on from this unhealthy situation. The chorus repeats the lines "No no no, you don't love me and I know now / No no no, you don't love me so let me go now." It is clear from these lyrics that the singer has been holding on to false hope for some time, but now they have seen the light and are ready to move forward.

The song also discusses the idea of "playas gonna play," highlighting the fact that there are some people who are not capable of true love and instead choose to manipulate and deceive their partners. In this case, the singer recognizes that their partner has been playing games with them, using lines and tricks to keep them hooked. However, they are finally ready to let go and find someone who will truly love and cherish them.

Overall, the lyrics to "Picture Me and You" are a powerful commentary on the ups and downs of love, and the need to recognize and let go of toxic relationships. It speaks to the universal experience of being hurt by someone we thought loved us, but also the importance of learning from these experiences and moving forward with greater self-awareness and clarity.

Line by Line Meaning

No no no
The singer is in denial and refusing to accept the reality of their situation.

You don't love me and I know now
The singer has come to the realization that their romantic partner does not truly love them.

No no no
The singer reiterates that they refuse to accept the reality of their situation.

You don't love me so let me go now
The artist is telling their partner to end the relationship because they do not love them.

(I can't let you go, can't let you go)
Despite wanting to move on from their unhealthy romantic relationship, the artist is struggling to let go.

If you ask me, baby
The singer is speaking directly to their partner to express themselves.

I should've left you a long time ago, no
The singer regrets not leaving the relationship sooner since they now know their partner does not love them.

Playas gonna play
The artist acknowledges the common saying that people will continue to act in their own selfish interest regardless of others.

At least that's what they say
The artist is admitting that they have now witnessed firsthand the truth of the previous statement.

Well I know that for myself now
The artist has learned from their personal experiences that people will act in their own self-interest.

(You know I love you)
The singer professes their love to their partner, even though they know that their partner does not love them in the same way.

You said you loved me babe
The artist is referencing a time when their partner had professed love towards them.

Then you played your game
The singer feels that their partner was insincere and manipulated them.

A game that I know all too well now
The singer acknowledges that they have experienced this kind of insincerity before.

Well I used to buy your lines
The singer acknowledges that they used to believe their partner's lies and insincere gestures, but no longer do so.

But it's time for me to sail now
The artist has made the decision to move on from the relationship and break free from their partner's insincerity.

First you tellin' me no
The artist is recalling a time when their partner told them 'no'.

But please tell me yes
The singer is asking their partner to change their 'no' to a 'yes'.

Without some of this stress
The singer is asking their partner to give them some relief from the stress caused by their love-games.

Straight up tell me yes
The artist is asking their partner to be straightforward and honest in their response.

Gimme the keys to ya chest
The artist is asking their partner to open up and be vulnerable.

Ya chest will rise neva rest
The artist is asking their partner to have faith in love and to never give up on it.

As ya chest you got me feelin' like I'm climbin' on Mount Everest
The singer is comparing the feeling of being in love and vulnerable to the hardship of climbing Mount Everest.

Hey Rihanna
The artist is addressing someone named Rihanna, who may be playing the role of their romantic partner for the purpose of the song's lyrics.

Your lovin' really put me to the test
The singer is expressing the challenges their love has brought them.

But if you shoulda let me soon the answer will yes
The singer is telling their partner that if they give them a chance, they will say 'yes' to love and commitment.

Yes to this yes to that yes to whateva you suggest
The singer is telling their partner that they are willing to say 'yes' to whatever their partner suggests.

So please say yes
The artist is pleading with their partner to give them a chance and commit to their love.

Haters gonna hate
The artist acknowledges that certain people will always have negative opinions, regardless of what they do.

(Let them hate)
The singer is telling themselves and their partner to ignore the haters and focus on their love.

I found out much to late
The singer is admitting that they realized too late that their partner did not love them.

I think I know we're a little hot now
The artist feels that the situation is getting heated, possibly implying an argument or altercation.

The truth leads to the lies
The artist is acknowledging that in their case, hearing the truth about their partner's love caused them to identify the lies they had been told.

The heart ain't always right
The artist is acknowledging that although they wanted to believe their heart and continue the relationship, it was not in their best interest.

And I see that love is blind now
The singer is metaphorically saying that their love for their partner clouded their judgement and prevented them from seeing the truth.

Boy you use to have my trust
The artist once trusted their partner, but no longer does so because their partner betrayed them.

Without no trust there ain't no us boy
The singer is telling their partner that without trust, there can be no successful relationship.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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