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.
Sweet
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know it's Kartel, dem gyal angel (easily)
A me say Corleone
You know di gyal dem fiending for we only (right away)
Up 2 Di Time
'Round to di hour
Butler, they ain't got girls like mine
It sweet to the belly
Squeeze up the breast like jelly, don't, Shelly?
(Mmh-hmm) she sing like Kelly
She nuh want no man nyam her like R. Kelly
(Mmh-hmm) the gyal run weh Nelly
Say if a no me or Assassin a Ele'
(Mmh-hmm) so she call me pon mi celly
She say her man hood dead like Makavelli
Di gyal go suh (mmh-hmm)
When me force it inna her
Mek she fled from di bed go straight inna Don car (mmh-hmm)
Under Guinness mi go fi her
Mek she feel like di something weh she have a nuh fi her
She say (mmh-hmm)
All is fair in love and war
War angel lovin' may bring cut and scar but (mmh-hmm)
She love it anyways
She love it when mi blaze up di fire inna her
She say (mmh-hmm)
It sweet to the belly
Squeeze up the breast like jelly, don't, Shelly?
(Mmh-hmm) she sing like Kelly
She nuh want no man nyam her like R. Kelly
(Mmh-hmm) the gyal run weh Nelly
Say if a no me or Marshall a Ele'
(Mmh-hmm) so she call me pon mi celly
She say her man hood dead like Makavelli
When she say (mmh-hmm)
Dat no mean she suckin'
Have her inna mi bedroom a straight cocky bruckin' (mmh-hmm)
Some all-night wukin'
Gimme di chicken head dem, me deh yah fi di pluckin' (mmh-hmm)
See Butler deh, no gyal can't duck him
No Antoinette, no Jackie, no Suzie, no Kim (mmh-hmm)
Bedroom handcuffing
Force up di stuffing, hear she puffing
Di gyal go suh (mmh-hmm)
It sweet to the belly
Squeeze up the breast like jelly, don't, Shelly?
(Mmh-hmm) she sing like Kelly
She nuh want no man nyam her like R. Kelly
(Mmh-hmm) the gyal run weh Nelly
Say if a no me or Don a Ele'
(Mmh-hmm) so she call me pon mi celly
She say her man hood dead like Makavelli
So me go suh (mmh-hmm)
Good luck if you no wan' good buck
Gyal, gwan go look a good suck (mmh-hmm)
Make-up, from you hook mi friend up
Him tell me seh you can't fuck (mmh-hmm)
Roast duck, cook fi please me and cut
Me win 'cause a mi fuss bruk (mmh-hmm)
Wake up, put on yuh clothes
Cah if mi wife ketch you, you get fuck
She say (mmh-hmm)
It sweet to the belly
Squeeze up the breast like jelly, don't, Shelly?
(Mmh-hmm) she sing like Kelly
She nuh want no man nyam her like R. Kelly
(Mmh-hmm) the gyal run weh Nelly
Say if a no me or Marshall then a Ele'
(Mmh-hmm) so she call me pon mi celly
She say her man hood dead like Makavelli
Di gyal go suh (mmh-hmm)
When me force it inna her
Mek she fled from di bed go straight inna Don car (mmh-hmm)
Under Guinness mi go fi her
Mek she feel like di something weh she have a nuh fi her
She say (mmh-hmm)
All is fair in love and war
War angel lovin' may bring cut and scar but (mmh-hmm)
She love it anyways
She love it when mi blaze up di fire inna her
She say (mmh-hmm)
It sweet to the belly
Squeeze up the breast like jelly, don't, Shelly?
(Mmh-hmm) she sing like Kelly
She nuh want no man nyam her like R. Kelly
(Mmh-hmm) the gyal run weh Nelly
Say if a no me or Assassin a Ele'
(Mmh-hmm) so she call me pon mi celly
She say her man hood dead like Makavelli
Di gyal go suh (mmh-hmm)
It sweet to the belly
Squeeze up the breast like jelly, don't, Shelly?
(Mmh-hmm) she sing like Nelly
She nuh want no man nyam her like R. Kelly
(Mmh-hmm) the gyal run weh Nelly
Say if a no me or Don a Ele'
(Mmh-hmm) so she call me pon mi celly
She say her man
The lyrics to Vybz Kartel's song Life Sweet are a reflection on the harsh realities of life in the ghetto, where young people are constantly faced with the temptations of violence and crime. The chorus "Life sweet" is a form of emotional expression to appreciate the beautiful and amazing moments in the life of his listeners. The opening lines of the song suggest a society devoid of effective law enforcement leading to an increase in crime rates. The verse "'Ghetto youths have it harda, nuff a we nuh grow with no fadda" indicates how poor social background and lack of financial resources leave youths with no options except engaging in criminal activities. The song also highlights the unrelenting efforts of the police and authorities to curb violence in the ghetto.
The song can be viewed as a social commentary on the unfair treatment of the poor by the society and authorities. It also speaks about the emotional and financial struggles of ghetto youths who are caught between poverty and crime. The verse "Then feds a lock up man fi sell weed, Yuh honor tell me wa you waan Lance do" is a direct criticism of the criminal justice system and its bias against young people from the ghetto. The artiste Vybz Kartel, in this track, offers a glimmer of hope to his listeners by highlighting the fact that life is indeed sweet.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello
Greeting to someone (Russian)
Hey russian!
Acknowledgement of the person being addressed
Weh dem call police fah
Why do they call the police?
Dem cya stop the crime
Police cannot stop crime
Ghetto youth waan money fi spend
Poor youth in the ghetto want money to spend
That's why so much man a dead
This is why there are so many deaths
Na na na na na na Life sweet
Life is still good despite these problems
Ghetto youths have it harda
Youths in the ghetto have it harder than most people
Nuff a we nuh grow with no fadda (no fadda)
Many of us grew up without a father
So we end up tun gangsta
That's why many become gangsters
Nuff a dem sell out and a move like chebadda
Many betray others and behave poorly
Then nuff time mi get up and mi nah hav a dime
There are many times I wake up with nothing
Pocket empty but a bare shot inna mi nine
I have no money, only bullets in my gun
Dem new radio car cyann stop no crime
New technology cannot stop crime
Mi a talk from mi heart dem a waste time
I am speaking from my heart, but others are wasting time
Dem nuh wah ghetto youth fi hav nuh things
They don't want ghetto youth to have anything
So when you see blood a run like drinks
So when you see violence, don't be surprised
Do no call no police just call di brinks
But don't call the police, call the armored vehicle (Brinks) instead
Cause a money ghetto youth waan
Because a ghetto youth wants money
Mi neva have nobody fi stretch mi hands to
I never had anyone to give me a hand
Neva have no rich uncle fi seh thanks to
I never had a rich uncle to thank
Then feds a lock up man fi sell weed,
Then the authorities imprison people for selling marijuana
Yuh honor tell me wa you waan Lance do
Your Honor, what do you want me to do?
Nuff time mi a pree seh guy fi die
Many times I think someone should die
Cah when mi look inna mi pickney eye
When I look into my child's eyes
Shawty seh food fi buy a cry mi cry
My girl says we have no food, and I cry
Me bankbook empty mi pocket dry
My bank account is empty, my pockets are dry
Nuff yute nuh live fi pass grade nine
Many youths do not live past grade nine
If a nuh gun man a 1-1-9
If they don't die as criminals, they die as victims
And mi God and mi gun protect mi life
My God and my gun protect my life
Mi nah gi it weh so easy
I won't give it away so easily
Me know say life nice,
I know life is good
As bad as him be
However difficult it may be
Me know say him nuh wah dead.
I know he doesn't want to die
Den, Jesus Christ,
So, Jesus Christ,
Tell me why society try stop
Explain why society tries to stop
Ghetto yute corn bread
Ghetto youths' (poor people) temporary solution of corn bread
Dats not nice
That's not fair
Cah dem know youth a go rise up
Because they know youths will rise up
And buss coppa and lead,
And use guns and bullets
And end up wanted, but memba
And end up being wanted by police, but remember
Na na na na na na Life sweet
Life is still good despite these problems
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Adidja Palmer, Daniel Lewis, Donovan Keith Bennett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bradleygwandu5911
"Life Sweet"
[Intro:]
Hello...
Hey russian!
Weh dem call police fah
Dem cya stop the crime
Ghetto youth waan money fi spend
That's why so much man a dead
[Chorus:]
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
[Verse 1:]
Hey,
Ghetto youths have it harda
Nuff a we nuh grow with no fadda (no fadda)
So we end up tun gangsta
Nuff a dem sell out and a move like chebadda
Then nuff time mi get up and mi nah hav a dime
Pocket empty but a bare shot inna mi nine
Dem new radio car cyann stop no crime
Mi a talk from mi heart dem a waste time
Dem nuh wah ghetto youth fi hav nuh things
So when you see blood a run like drinks
Do no call no police just call di brinks
Cause a money ghetto youth waan
[Chorus:]
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
[Verse 2:]
Mi neva have nobody fi stretch mi hands to
Neva have no rich uncle fi seh thanks to
Then feds a lock up man fi sell weed,
Yuh honor tell me wa you waan Lance do
Nuff time mi a pree seh guy fi die
Cah when mi look inna mi pickney eye
Shawty seh food fi buy a cry mi cry
Me bankbook empty mi pocket dry
Nuff yute nuh live fi pass grade nine
If a nuh gun man a 1-1-9
And mi God and mi gun protect mi life
Mi nah gi it weh so easy
[Chorus:]
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
[Hook:]
Me know say life nice,
As bad as him be
Me know say him nuh wah dead.
Den, Jesus Christ,
Tell me why society try stop
Ghetto yute corn bread
Dats not nice
Cah dem know youth a go rise up
And buss coppa and lead,
And end up wanted. But memba...
[Chorus:]
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
@luboltz5201
Hello
Hey russian!
Weh dem call police fah
Dem cya stop the crime
Ghetto youth waan money fi spend
That's why so much man a dead
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Hey,
Ghetto youths have it harda
Nuff a we nuh grow with no fadda (no fadda)
So we end up tun gangsta
Nuff a dem sell out and a move like chebadda
Then nuff time mi get up and mi nah hav a dime
Pocket empty but a bare shot inna mi nine
Dem new radio car cyann stop no crime
Mi a talk from mi heart dem a waste time
Dem nuh wah ghetto youth fi hav nuh things
So when you see blood a run like drinks
Do no call no police just call di brinks
Cause a money ghetto youth waan
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Mi neva have nobody fi stretch mi hands to
Neva have no rich uncle fi seh thanks to
Then feds a lock up man fi sell weed,
Yuh honor tell me wa you waan Lance do
Nuff time mi a pree seh guy fi die
Cah when mi look inna mi pickney eye
Shawty seh food fi buy a cry mi cry
Me bankbook empty mi pocket dry
Nuff yute nuh live fi pass grade nine
If a nuh gun man a 1-1-9
And mi God and mi gun protect mi life
Mi nah gi it weh so easy
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Me know say life nice,
As bad as him be
Me know say him nuh wah dead.
Den, Jesus Christ,
Tell me why society try stop
Ghetto yute corn bread
Dats not nice
Cah dem know youth a go rise up
And buss coppa and lead,
And end up wanted, but memba
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
Na na na na na na
Life sweet
@268starboyvevo8
2024 coming and this song still popping like it was recorded yesterday 💥💥💥💥GAZA FOR LIFE💸💪
@gitaumwangi9149
💯
@DavidCarter-xj7pc
Songs like these need to be billions of views on YouTube and billboard charts ❤💵💰🌍🥶💪🏽👊🏾💯
@nikhilstephen
FREE WORLD BOSS
This man is such a huge influence and inspiration to people all over the world. His music is on another level. I want my first tattoo to be something to represent Vybz Kartel. Much love from Trinidad.
@roxiebkdime5224
song still gives me chills whenever i listen to it ! one of my favorite songs ever free the don and sivva
@elhassanethiam3141
Respect a di Boss
@realtalkmediatv3153
Ofcourse it must give idiot like you chills
@roxiebkdime5224
@clive edwards lol 😂. Have a blessed day 😇
@annakaycampbell615
@roxie bk dime .mf
L
P
L
@gizzelgibson424
@@roxiebkdime5224 I was going to tell him he was the idiot for u man but i noticed u didn't defend urself so y should i...lol have a blessed day too