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.
The Lyricist
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Di teacha haffi sing line?
DJing nuh inna him mind?
Cork up yuh nose fi di stink rhyme, A di king time,
Mi wicked like St. James and Kingston and St. Catherine crime,
Roll out wid di shootas fi kill time,
No boxers, Calvin Klein,
Nuff bwoy waan get me out fi reach di big time,
Yuh nuh have nuh patience?!
Mash up yuh clock and try fi kill time,
But mi a,
Still The Lyricist, Vocabulary Physicist,
Melody Michelangelo weh paint da graphic images,
Get a condom fi yuh ears because da tune yah shot like syphilis,
Weh di title? Aye gimmi dis!
Empire is di wickediss,
I'm da baller and the manager,
Alex Ferguson and Bibby dis,
Mi stay in front like Genesis, Yes
Who waan fi penny dis? Guess
Mi find di metaphors weh Jay-Z and Biggie miss,
And chaw dem up like WinterFresh and spit dem out like Wrigleys,
Mi hot mi touch green grass mek it ketch fyah,
Sum bwoy nuh thugz mi see thru dem like mesh wire,
Yes Iyah! dem license expire,
Mi rub dem out like mi Benz tire,
Mi meds higha dan Angel pon heaven's wire,
Burn dem with di hell's fyah,
Wah prostitute and virgin have in common? Empire!
Dem waan come inna mi bed fi cool da temper yah,
Dem enter yah, dem linger here,
Junky gyal, needle and syringe a wear,
Christian gyal? Ginger beer,
Rasta gyal we injure here.
Mi flow like di town cable,
It's no fable,
No knights of di round table,
Tell Adam and Eve and Cain say mi doan Able,
Dem bwoy deh tek mi style yet dem so brazen,
But Russian,
Mi flow like di town cable,
It's no fable,
No knights of di round table,
Di bwoy dem bite mi style yet dem so craven,
Dem come in like di big fat gyal dem so Raven.
Mi a di Portmore pioneer,
Mi an mi ooman deh fi 9 year,
Nuh try dat my dear bout me an you mek a nice pair,
Tek my advice dear get it outta yuh head like lice here,
Mi luvin har forever if life spare,
Yuh doan know mi Afghanistan yuh only know mi Times Square,
Yuh see me inna di Benz changing 5 gear,
A drink Street Vybz like it's Lite Beer,
On private jets mi fly Leer,
Adis nuh Nike Air,
Mi skin paint up like bike flare,
Dat a di easy street, Yuh know da Elm street?
Di nightmare,
Di days when mi used to take di bus and cyan find fare,
Just log off wid yuh virus mi have spyware,
The way mi brain fertile, America wah invade an drill fi oil here,
They can see dem bwoy deh nuh fancy,
Dem a Anansi,
Mi lyrics wear dem out like a gangsy,
Dem shame inna di crowd an every man see,
Dem fans give dem thumbs down,
Mi a thugs and dem a Bugs Bunny.
Mi flow like di town cable,
It's no fable,
No knights of di round table,
Tell Adam and Eve and Cain say mi doan Able,
Dem bwoy deh tek mi style yet dem so brazen,
But Russian,
Mi flow like di town cable,
It's no fable,
No knights of di round table,
Di bwoy dem bite mi style yet dem so craven,
Dem come in like di big fat gyal dem so Raven.
Aye Russian
Dem fi know dis is not a throw word song to some Queers
And dem gangs fi dem build some mediocre counteraction songs.
Naw it's just a reminder to the fans,
To the One Order, to the Clans,
That Vybz Kartel can still drop his lyrical bombs!
Mi flow like di town cable
In Vybz Kartel's song Lyricist, he questions and challenges the intentions behind those who doubt his ability to write lyrics. He showcases his mastery of words, metaphors, and melody and establishes himself as a pioneer in his field. He uses vivid imagery and references to places like St. James, Kingston, and St. Catherine to lend weight to his points, as well as metaphors like comparing the power he holds over words to the destructive force of fire. He also makes comments on relationships and societal issues, such as the exploitation of prostitutes and the hypocrisy of religious women.
The song Lyricist was released in 2010 as part of Kartel's album "Dons and Divas" and has received critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and intensity. It was released during a time of great controversy for the artist, who was arrested and charged with murder in the same year. Despite this, the song and its accompanying music video continue to be a testament to Kartel's skills as a wordsmith.
Line by Line Meaning
So what dem implying?
What are they suggesting?
Di teacha haffi sing line?
Does the teacher have to sing a certain verse?
DJing nuh inna him mind?
Does he not want to DJ anymore?
Cork up yuh nose fi di stink rhyme, A di king time
Endure the bad music until my good songs come out
Mi wicked like St. James and Kingston and St. Catherine crime
I am as evil as the crimes that occur in these regions
Roll out wid di shootas fi kill time
I hang out with guns to pass the time
No boxers, Calvin Klein
I do not wear underwear, only Calvin Klein clothing
Nuff bwoy waan get me out fi reach di big time
Many people want to get rid of me to become successful
Mi sleep and wake up and dem still trying
Even when I sleep and wake up, they are still trying to get rid of me
Yuh nuh have nuh patience?!
Don't you have any patience?
Mash up yuh clock and try fi kill time
Destroy your clock and waste time
Still The Lyricist, Vocabulary Physicist, Melody Michelangelo weh paint da graphic images
I am still the master of lyrics and vocabulary, able to paint graphic images with my melodies
Get a condom fi yuh ears because da tune yah shot like syphilis
Use earplugs because this music is too intense
Empire is di wickediss, I'm da baller and the manager
The Empire is the best, I am both the player and the manager
Alex Ferguson and Bibby dis
I am like both Alex Ferguson and Bibby
Mi stay in front like Genesis, Yes
I stay ahead like Genesis
Who waan fi penny dis? Guess
Who wants to argue with me? Try guessing
Mi find di metaphors weh Jay-Z and Biggie miss
I am able to come up with metaphors that Jay-Z and Biggie cannot
And chaw dem up like WinterFresh and spit dem out like Wrigleys
I use their metaphors and turn them into my own
Mi hot mi touch green grass mek it ketch fyah
I am so hot that I can set green grass on fire
Sum bwoy nuh thugz mi see thru dem like mesh wire
I can see through people who pretend to be thugs
Yes Iyah! dem license expire, Mi rub dem out like mi Benz tire
Their licenses are expired, I can get rid of them like a tire on my Benz
Mi meds higha dan Angel pon heaven's wire, Burn dem with di hell's fyah
My influence is stronger than that of an angel on a wire in heaven, I can punish them with hellfire
Wah prostitute and virgin have in common? Empire!
Both a prostitute and a virgin have one thing in common, the Empire
Dem waan come inna mi bed fi cool da temper yah
They want to sleep with me to cool down
Dem enter yah, dem linger here, Junky gyal, needle and syringe a wear
They come into my life and stay, even if they are addicted to drugs
Christian gyal? Ginger beer, Rasta gyal we injure here
Christian girls are not exciting, Rasta girls are the ones who we want to be with
It's no fable, No knights of di round table, Tell Adam and Eve and Cain say mi doan Able
This is not a story, not of knights, but just me not being able like Cain from the bible
Dem bwoy deh tek mi style yet dem so brazen, But Russian
They stole my style but are still shameless, like Russian people
Di bwoy dem bite mi style yet dem so craven, Dem come in like di big fat gyal dem so Raven
They imitate my style but are still cowardly, like the big fat girls on the show 'That's So Raven'
Mi a di Portmore pioneer, Mi an mi ooman deh fi 9 year
I am the pioneer of Portmore, and have been with my woman for 9 years
Nuh try dat my dear bout me an you mek a nice pair,
Don't try to make a good match between us
Tek my advice dear get it outta yuh head like lice here, Mi luvin har forever if life spare
Take my advice and forget about us, I will love her forever if I am still alive
Yuh doan know mi Afghanistan yuh only know mi Times Square
You don't know the real me, only the version you see in public
Yuh see me inna di Benz changing 5 gear, A drink Street Vybz like it's Lite Beer
You see me driving my Benz, changing gears, drinking Street Vybz like it's nothing
On private jets mi fly Leer, Adis nuh Nike Air
I fly on private jets, not on commercial planes like Nike Air
Mi skin paint up like bike flare, Dat a di easy street, Yuh know da Elm street?
My skin is colorful, like a bike flare, that's the easy street. Do you know Elm Street?
Di nightmare, Di days when mi used to take di bus and cyan find fare
Those were the days when I took the bus, and couldn't find the money for the fare
Just log off wid yuh virus mi have spyware
Just leave me alone, my protection is ready for any harm
The way mi brain fertile, America wah invade an drill fi oil here
My mind is so fertile, America wants to come and drill oil in my head
They can see dem bwoy deh nuh fancy, Dem a Anansi, Mi lyrics wear dem out like a gangsy, Dem shame inna di crowd an every man see
They can see that these boys are not attractive, they are like the spider Anansi, my lyrics make them tired, they are ashamed in the crowd and people can tell
Dem fans give dem thumbs down, Mi a thugs and dem a Bugs Bunny
Their fans give them bad reviews, while I am a thug and they are just like Bugs Bunny
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ShevonSalmon
Who here in 2024? 😂
@goldmedz8769
Fully👽
@Caanabwoy
😂
@arionadams9758
Meeeee
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Here
@alieke86...
Gaza world 🌎
@TheNotoriousKID
If Kartel was a farin youth Yankee boy him woulda be one of the wickedest rappers in the game membadat!
@TestTest-cf8xp
fuffh
@anthonypierre7862
Artisan Rebel I could agree more with this comment he wouldve bin a legend like he already is but on a bigger lever
@jazzymars30
nope