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.
Touch A Button
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hear mi a seh, nuh, (you cyaan bad me up)
Hear mi a ah seh, nuh, (you cyaan rough me up)
Hear mi a seh, nuh, (you cyaan drape me up)
A dat ma seh, oh!
Me nuh fraid a nuh bull buck, nuh duppy conquer,
Go fi yuh army, go fi yuh tanker,
Go fi yuh, ahoe, go fi yuh, ahoe
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Annuh weh yuh come from a weh yuh going go
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Mi nuh care weh yuh come from inuh, ahoe!
Seh sum mek u spit ketch me
Mi wet up yuh shirt like Zesti, oh!
Man haffi run like track star
Woman haffi stop look sexy, ahoe!
When yuh walk pass Gaza oh!,
Yuh see di sign mark don't test wi, oh!,
Play hero, yuh play Coke Zero, oh!
Nine night with rum and Pepsi, ahoe, ahoe!
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Annuh weh yuh come from a weh yuh going go
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Mi nuh care weh yuh come from inuh, ahoe!
Me skull hot till it boil up, oh!
A couldn't me them a style up, oh!
Me alone script, mi nuh join up, oh!
Mek everybody haffi line up
Beef wid Notnice annuh sum fi yuh start up, oh!
White Toyota car park up, oh!
Two likkle hot foot walk up, oh!
Gyal a scream an a look shortcut, ahoe!
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Annuh weh yuh come from a weh yuh going go
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Mi nuh care weh yuh come from inuh, ahoe!
The lyrics of "Touch A Button" by Vybz Kartel featuring Shawn Storm are a warning to anyone who dares to challenge the power and reputation of the Gaza Empire which Vybz Kartel considers himself to be the leader of. The lyrics boast of the empire's dominance and strength in the face of opposition. Vybz Kartel indicates that he is not afraid of anyone, even those who may have ample resources like an army or a tanker. He taunts those who might try to confront him, saying that they cannot do any harm to him. He also expresses his pride in what Gaza has accomplished and its deserved respect as a group. It is apparent to the listener that the song is a statement of unyielding confidence and strength.
Additionally, the song has an abrupt and aggressive nature that is typical of dancehall music. This backing by a powerful beat and rhythm emphasizes the bold and unrelenting nature of its lyrics. The chorus, featuring a single phrase, is repeated throughout the song, creating a feeling of urgency and a call to action. The lyrics stressed that the Empire has a hold over people as well and that they could control how they think and respond to their presence.
Overall, "Touch A Button" is a statement song from Vybz Kartel, using this song to bolster his fearless leader status while also warning anyone who might dare to step to him or his crew.
Line by Line Meaning
Yow, Shawn Storm, before you corn dem, just warn dem
Hey, Shawn Storm, before you confront those people, just give them a warning
Hear mi a seh, nuh, (you cyaan bad me up)
I'm telling you, you can't bully me
Hear mi a ah seh, nuh, (you cyaan rough me up)
I'm telling you, you can't be rough with me
Hear mi a seh, nuh, (you cyaan drape me up)
I'm telling you, you can't ambush me
A dat ma seh, oh!
That's what I'm saying, oh!
Me nuh fraid a nuh bull buck, nuh duppy conquer,
Go fi yuh army, go fi yuh tanker,
Go fi yuh, ahoe, go fi yuh, ahoe
Go fi yuh huggies go fi yuh pamper
I'm not afraid of anything or anyone, not even supernatural entities. You can bring your army, your vehicles, your street gang members and your squad of ladies' men, I don't care
Come touch me nuh, touch a button nuh
Don't just come close to me, make a move
Annuh weh yuh come from a weh yuh going go
I don't care where you come from, where are you headed to?
Seh sum mek u spit ketch me
Mi wet up yuh shirt like Zesti, oh!
If you say something that offends me, beware of my reaction, I might splash you with liquid like Zesti brand does
Man haffi run like track star
Woman haffi stop look sexy, ahoe!
Men have to run fast like athletes, while women have to stop and avoid showing their sex appeal
When yuh walk pass Gaza oh!,
Yuh see di sign mark don't test wi, oh!,
Play hero, yuh play Coke Zero, oh!
Nine night with rum and Pepsi, ahoe, ahoe!
When you pass by my area, you can see our warning sign, don't mess with us. If you act brave, you're just mediocre or insignificant like an unpopular soda brand. We party hard with rum and Pepsi soda
Me skull hot till it boil up, oh!
A couldn't me them a style up, oh!
Me alone script, mi nuh join up, oh!
Mek everybody haffi line up
I'm so furious that my head is boiling, they can't match my level. I write my lyrics alone, I'm not part of any team, and my followers have to support me
Beef wid Notnice annuh sum fi yuh start up, oh!
White Toyota car park up, oh!
Two likkle hot foot walk up, oh!
Gyal a scream an a look shortcut, ahoe!
I don't have a problem with my rival Notnice, don't think it's an issue. A white Toyota car is parked nearby, and two swift walking men approach me. Girls are shouting and seeking a quick way out
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ADIDJA PALMER, LINTON WHITE, RICARDO JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chukz Laqute
@Jordan Singh hahaha I understand but not only Nigerian voted I think UK did too
If I follow your opinion all the vote distance would have been similar since Nigeria dominant twitter
There are also some songs that almost had same range with wiz with same close amount of vote,you think Nigerian's would leave wiz and vote vybe?NO
IMO UK voted alot too
Even here in Nigerian we are divided we beef among Artist,i think some fans who roots to Davido voted against wiz too
I know some of my friends
So don't think Nigerians only voted wiz,if it's so vybe wouldn't have stand any chance against wiz in vote difference, thank you
Chukz Laqute
They didnt play wizkid Baba NLA
Caro
Fever
Come closer with drake
Holla at your boy
Wiz party
Low
One dance with Drake
Brown skin girl with Beyonce
Show you the money
Manya
Jeje
Azonto
Expensive shit
Oluwa noni
Joy
Daddy yo
Jam with chronixx
Etc many wizkid major bangers wasn't played too
Non of vybe would've defeated One dance,come closer,Baba NLA,Brown skin girl
If you don't know them go check them out
jae Johnson
2022 still going strong 💪 free world boss ♑ 🐐
OddBall
Thought I was the only one
Brisma Kimani
🔥🔥🔥🔥The Biggest Boss.. 2021 still blastin' this classic.
debora king
i tell u boy, this ws real dancehall
Dave Marcelle
It wasn't
Gma Glorious
🌻On God 💝💃🏾✊🏿📡🙌🏾
Tiffany Whitton
true man
Nana Kwesi
2017 and am still listening........this song gives me so much confidence fi face anyone............
Quentin Jones
No matter what color his skin music is deep music
Lawrence Mwangi
2021, and still no one can touch him