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.
Rise Di K
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell dem seh mi seh, a cya me dem a ramp wid
Cya we
Bout dem a give man tough chat, but dem a baby
Mi a nuh nobody fi yuh play wid
Mi done chat, mi a done shot
When mi rise up di K middle day
Nuh police inna yuh way cya save di day
Dem skin a catch a fire like a Craven-A
Dem skin a catch a fire like a-
When mi rise up di K middle day
Mi nuh play fi spray
Nuh police inna yuh way cya save di day
Dem skin a catch a fire like a Craven-A
Dem skin a catch a fire like a Craven-A
Aye, dem nuh bad a bloodclaat
Di boy dem violate & know say a blood bath
Dem a beg it out, somebody life a cut short
Mi nah take nuh chat because da war ya just start
Mi a clap it pon di mother & the father & the sister & the brother
& that a just inna the first part
Miller Nine make yuh fucking marrow fly weh, first class
A we a run the road, go ask the bus weh just pass
Aye, a wah do dem pussy deh weh bad inna him Clarks
Yuh violate? Kuff Kaff Kweff inna him parts
Boy brain drop a grung, so me a look inna him thoughts
Weh him alone a go, wid a one gun?
When mi rise up di K middle day
Mi nuh play fi spray
Nuh police inna yuh way cya save di day
Dem skin a catch a fire like a Craven-A
Dem skin a catch a fire like a-
When mi rise up di K middle day
Mi nuh play fi spray
Nuh police inna yuh way cya save di day
Dem skin a catch a fire like a Craven-A
Dem skin a catch a fire like a Craven-A
Nuh boy cya take mine
Mi a roll wid the Tech-9
When mi buss it, me nuh take time
Kuff, wid the Glock 9, somebody flatline
Ratbat a fly, yuh sun stop shine
Dem know mi nuh play fair
Gunshot inna yuh face or head back
Anyweh war head drop
Dem useless like bread back
7.62, yuh chest crack
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Vybz Kartel's "Rise Di K" speak to the artist's toughness and dominance in the world of Jamaican dancehall music. The first verse is a warning to anyone who tries to mess with Kartel or his crew. He asserts that he is not someone to be trifled with and that he will not hesitate to take someone out if necessary. The chorus emphasizes Kartel's unrelenting and uncompromising approach to conflict. He lyrically describes the power and devastation he can inflict on his enemies with his firearm, referred to as "di K."
The second verse is a direct call-out to anyone who has dared to cross him or his people. Kartel dares them to try and take him down, declaring that he won't back down from a fight and will not rest until his enemies have been vanquished. He also paints a vivid picture of the violence he can unleash when provoked, referencing specific types of guns and ammunition that he uses to inflict maximum damage.
Overall, the lyrics to "Rise Di K" are a reflection of the violent culture that pervades dancehall music, but they also serve as a reminder of the power and influence that Kartel wields within that culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Yow Laing, dem a nuh nobody enuh
Hey Laing, those people are not important at all
Tell dem seh mi seh, a cya me dem a ramp wid
Let them know that they should not mess with me
Cya we
They cannot defeat us
Bout dem a give man tough chat, but dem a baby
They talk tough, but they are weak
Mi a nuh nobody fi yuh play wid
I am not someone to play with
Mi done chat, mi a done shot
I have said what I needed to say, and now I'm taking action
When mi rise up di K middle day
When I take up my weapon in broad daylight
Mi nuh play fi spray
I am serious about using my weapon
Nuh police inna yuh way cya save di day
No police officer can stop me
Dem skin a catch a fire like a Craven-A
They will feel the heat and burn like the cigarette brand
Aye, dem nuh bad a bloodclaat
Hey, they are not as tough as they claim to be
Di boy dem violate & know say a blood bath
Those guys provoke me, and they know that will lead to bloodshed
Dem a beg it out, somebody life a cut short
They are now pleading for mercy because someone's life will be taken
Mi nah take nuh chat because da war ya just start
I won't back down because this war has just begun
Mi a clap it pon di mother & the father & the sister & the brother
I am not only shooting my immediate targets but also their family members
& that a just inna the first part
And that's only the beginning
Miller Nine make yuh fucking marrow fly weh, first class
My Miller Nine gun will make your bones fly away in a first-class manner
A we a run the road, go ask the bus weh just pass
We are the ones ruling the streets, go ask the passing bus for confirmation
Aye, a wah do dem pussy deh weh bad inna him Clarks
Hey, what's wrong with those guys who act tough wearing Clark's shoes?
Yuh violate? Kuff Kaff Kweff inna him parts
If you violate me, you will face the consequences
Boy brain drop a grung, so me a look inna him thoughts
When I shoot your head, I will look inside your mind
Weh him alone a go, wid a one gun?
Where are you going alone with one gun?
Nuh boy cya take mine
No one can take what belongs to me
Mi a roll wid the Tech-9
I am carrying a Tech-9 gun
When mi buss it, me nuh take time
When I shoot, I don't hesitate
Kuff, wid the Glock 9, somebody flatline
I will shoot with my Glock 9 and someone will die
Ratbat a fly, yuh sun stop shine
Bullets are flying, and you will die
Dem know mi nuh play fair
They know that I do not play by the rules
Gunshot inna yuh face or head back
You will be shot in the face or the back of the head
Anyweh war head drop
Wherever there is war, people will die
Dem useless like bread back
They are as useless as a piece of leftover bread
7.62, yuh chest crack
The bullets will hit you hard, and your chest will crack
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ADIDJA PALMER, DONALD MEDDER, SHANE CONNERY BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Twayne Ellis
catch ah 🔥🔥🔥
Chubby Richard
Bwoy brains drop ah ground..so mi ah look in a him thoughts....
Maddddd....!!
Kimoya Spence
Slap way👊👊
Alcatel Seven
Right way
Malik Vendetta
Skin ketch a fire like a craven-a
TOP DOGG
When mi rise up deh k middle day mi nah play for spray
Yamiyn Yisrael
Tuuuuuuune!
Timisha Canty
when me rise up di k
Ryan Frusk
dem useless like bread back
Neil Singh
Gaza