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.
Street Pharmacist
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wid BTM, and di thug Young Kadi
And this a Vybz Kartel enuh (who)
Aka, weed daddy
We sell drugs like di pharmacy
Needle and syringe like di pharmacy
Check di real pharmacist Mr palmer fi
We sell drugs like di pharmacy
Needle and syringe like di pharmacy
Check di real pharmacist Mr palmer fi
No prescription you nah fi see
Cause me sell nickel bag
Dime bag, half ounce, one ounce
And me move QP, one pound, couple pounds
We hustle round town, move weight outta town
We tek weh bwoy corna, rrah! Wid di Llama
Bwoy cyaa gimme frauders, and a seh a yardaz
We smuggle weed inna boots wid di ballaz
Weh day mi fly go Bahamas
Bare weed inna mi son pram
Ash oil inna pajamas
Run Arizona like me a di owner
Purple Cambodia mi get a California
We gang bang like Aidonia fi
Richer than Shell and Heso every high loaner
We sell drugs like di pharmacy
Needle and syringe like di pharmacy
Check di real pharmacist Mr palmer fi
No prescription you nah fi see hey New York!
We sell drugs like di pharmacy
Needle and syringe like di pharmacy
Check di real pharmacist Mr palmer fi
No prescription you nah fi see
Me and Young Kadi send a shipment go Florida
Frass dem run di college, every corridor
New York, Miami link solider
Any bwoy go round BTM muss face di coroner
'Merican gyal fi drug, mule a mi carrier
Cause US immigration nuh trust foreigner
Mi nuh play ball but mi a juggler
Not Cassie B but im a hustler
Yeah and i'm a smuggler
We sell drugs like di pharmacy
Needle and syringe like di pharmacy
Check di real pharmacist Mr palmer fi
No prescription you nah fi see hey New York!
We sell drugs like di pharmacy
Needle and syringe like di pharmacy
Check di real pharmacist Mr palmer fi
No prescription you nah fi see
Cause me sell nickel bag
Dime bag, half ounce, one ounce
And me move QP, one pound, couple pounds
We hustle round town, move weight outta town
We tek weh bwoy corna, rrah! Wid di Llama
Bwoy cyaa gimme frauders, and a seh a yardaz
We smuggle weed inna boots wid di ballaz
Weh day mi fly go Bahamas
Bare weed inna mi son pram
Ash oil inna pajamas
Run Arizona like me a di owner
Purple Cambodia mi get a California
We gang bang like Aidonia fi
Richer than Shell and Heso every high loaner
In Vybz Kartel's song "Street Pharmacist," he introduces himself as the "weed daddy" and highlights the illegal drug trade, particularly the selling of drugs similar to a pharmacy. He starts by mentioning the production team and collaborators behind the song and then emphasizes his own identity in the music industry.
The lyrics depict Vybz Kartel's involvement in the drug trade, specifically the selling of drugs like a pharmacy, referencing the use of needles and syringes typically associated with pharmaceuticals. He asserts himself as the "real pharmacist," Mr. Palmer, implying his expertise in the drug trade. The mention of New York suggests the reach of his operation.
Vybz Kartel further elaborates on his drug-dealing activities, listing various quantities and types of drugs he moves, from small bags to pounds. He describes the hustle and movement of drugs, both locally and out of town. The mention of taking away someone's corner with a "Llama" indicates that he and his associates are ready to use violence to protect their territory. He also mentions smuggling drugs, specifically weed, by hiding it in boots with his crew. He boasts about his success, mentioning trips to the Bahamas and the presence of drugs in unexpected places like a baby's pram or his own pajamas. He references specific strains of marijuana, indicating knowledge of a wide variety of drugs.
Overall, the song provides a glimpse into the life of a drug dealer, emphasizing the illegal activities and the pride associated with the trade. It portrays a sense of power and wealth, reinforced by references to violence, luxury items, and international operations.
Line by Line Meaning
Frass dem production
The production is excellent
Wid BTM, and di thug Young Kadi
With BTM and the thug Young Kadi
And this a Vybz Kartel enuh (who)
And this is Vybz Kartel, you know (who)
Aka, weed daddy
Also known as the father of weed
We sell drugs like di pharmacy
We sell drugs just like a pharmacy
Needle and syringe like di pharmacy
Using needle and syringe, just like a pharmacy
Check di real pharmacist Mr palmer fi
Verify the real pharmacist, Mr. Palmer, for
No prescription you nah fi see hey New York!
No prescription is needed to see, hey New York!
Cause me sell nickel bag
Because I sell small quantity of drugs
Dime bag, half ounce, one ounce
Including dime bags, half ounces, and one ounces
And me move QP, one pound, couple pounds
And I also move quarter pounds, one pound, and a few pounds
We hustle round town, move weight outta town
We hustle around the town and move larger quantities out of town
We tek weh bwoy corna, rrah! Wid di Llama
We take on the corner, with force! Using our weapon
Bwoy cyaa gimme frauders, and a seh a yardaz
No one can give me fake drugs, and they claim to be from Jamaica
We smuggle weed inna boots wid di ballaz
We discreetly transport weed in boots with the skilled individuals
Weh day mi fly go Bahamas
Just the other day, I flew to the Bahamas
Bare weed inna mi son pram
Lots of weed in my baby stroller
Ash oil inna pajamas
Hash oil stored in my pajamas
Run Arizona like me a di owner
I control Arizona as if I am the owner
Purple Cambodia mi get a California
I obtained Purple Cambodia strain in California
We gang bang like Aidonia fi
We form a gang and commit crimes like Aidonia for
Richer than Shell and Heso every high loaner
We are wealthier than Shell and Heso, every affluent drug user
Me and Young Kadi send a shipment go Florida
Young Kadi and I sent a shipment to Florida
Frass dem run di college, every corridor
They are running the drug business in every corner of the college
New York, Miami link solider
A strong connection between New York and Miami
Any bwoy go round BTM muss face di coroner
Anyone who messes with BTM must face the coroner
'Merican gyal fi drug, mule a mi carrier
American girls are into drugs, I am their carrier
Cause US immigration nuh trust foreigner
Because US immigration does not trust foreigners
Mi nuh play ball but mi a juggler
I don't play sports, but I am a skilled juggler
Not Cassie B but im a hustler
Not Cassie B, but I am a hustler
Yeah and i'm a smuggler
Yes, and I am also a smuggler
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bubak Janneh
on Life We Living
life we living so hard
Bubak Janneh
on Ghetto Youth
some body send me this nonsese