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.
U Can Dance
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you walk away from my love
Don't you walk away from my love summer love
Winter love all year 'round, yeah
How can you say you are in love?
You don't even know who to trust
I'm waiting with my open arms
How can you say you are in love?
You don't even know who to trust
I'm waiting with my open arms
Don't you walk away from my love
Don't you walk away from my love
Love and sex a two different things
Don't you treat them like one
Organize your feelings
Think it's forever, I need it just once
Ah, then I'm gone bye bye, don't cry, I
Don't love anyoneexcept you, baby
Maybe tomorrow I'll see you
How can you say you are in love?
You don't even know who to trust
I'm waiting with my open arms
Don't you walk away from my love
How can you say you are in love?
You don't even know who to trust
I'm waiting with my open arms
Don't you walk away from my love
Don't you walk away from my love
Two of we together as one
Say that's the life you want
All them girls you've been with, put them
Together they don't make an answer, my love
But a me, you waan this
'Bout, "Ah, then I'm gone" everything cris
How can you say you are in love?
You don't even know who to trust
I'm waiting with my open arms
Don't you walk away from my love
How can you say you are in love?
You don't even know who to trust
I'm waiting with my open arms
Don't you walk away from my love
Don't you walk away from my love
Don't you walk away from my love
(Don't you walk away from my love)
Don't you walk away from my love
(Don't you walk away from my love)
Don't you walk away from my love
(Don't you walk away from my love)
Summer love winter love
All year 'round, yeah
How can you say you are in love?
You don't even know who to trust
I'm waiting with my open arms
Don't you walk away from my love
How can you say you are in love?
You don't even know who to trust
I'm waiting with my open arms
Don't you walk away from my love
Don't you walk away from my love
In Vybz Kartel's song "U Can Dance," the lyrics express the plea of someone asking their love interest not to walk away from their love. The singer emphasizes that love and sex are two different things and should not be treated as one. They urge the listener to organize their feelings and consider if they truly want a lasting connection or if they are only seeking temporary pleasure. The singer reassures that they don't love anyone else but the listener and that they are willing to wait with open arms. The lyrics suggest that the singer wants a commitment and believes that their love is stronger than any past romantic experiences.
The repetitive nature of the chorus emphasizes the urgency and importance of not walking away from the love that is being offered. The lyrics also highlight the uncertainty and lack of trust that can exist in relationships, cautioning the listener to be mindful of who they choose to trust.
Overall, "U Can Dance" encourages the listener to value and appreciate the love that is being offered, to distinguish between love and lust, and to give a chance to the genuine, lasting connection that is being presented to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you walk away from my love
Please do not leave me and abandon the love that we have
Don't you walk away from my love summer love
Even though our love may have started in the summer, I want it to last all year
Winter love all year 'round, yeah
I want our love to endure and thrive regardless of the season
How can you say you are in love?
I question your claim of being in love because I don't see you truly understanding it
You don't even know who to trust
You lack the ability to distinguish trustworthy individuals
I'm waiting with my open arms
I am patiently waiting for you to embrace my love
Love and sex a two different things
Love and sexual desire are separate entities
Don't you treat them like one
Do not confuse the two and treat them as interchangeable
Organize your feelings
Sort out and understand your emotions
Think it's forever, I need it just once
You may believe it's a long-lasting commitment, but I only desire it momentarily
Ah, then I'm gone bye bye, don't cry, I
Once I've fulfilled my desire, I will leave without any attachment, so do not lament
Don't love anyone except you, baby
I do not have affection for anyone other than you, my dear
Maybe tomorrow I'll see you
Perhaps we will meet again tomorrow
Two of we together as one
The two of us unified and inseparable
Say that's the life you want
Declare that this is the life you desire
All them girls you've been with, put them
All the other girls you have been involved with
Together they don't make an answer, my love
Even when combined, they cannot match the love I offer
But a me, you waan this
It is me that you desire
'Bout, 'Ah, then I'm gone' everything cris
Regarding the fact that I will leave after fulfilling my desire, everything will be fine
Don't you walk away from my love
Please do not leave me and abandon the love that we have
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shaniqua D
Who’s here in 2020? This is still the most iconic dance ever! They repped J.A. and the whole Caribbean! 👏🏽 👏🏽 Gotta love ma Caribbean vibes. We are one people ♥️♥️
Neezza Neezza
ONE LOVE. ME LOB ME PPL AN DEM
Letesha McKenzie
These two put the respect back into Dancehall music!
IFRMagicMike
Good to see dancehall get some recognition on national tv
camille faulkner
that routine is soo jamaican!! everthing is just the way we would do it! awesome... from start to finish, real jamaican ting.. so proud.. im sure other jamaicans like myself are just as proud of this performance!
jahblessI jah
Nice to see that dancehall is expanding in many different ways.
Cynthia Allen Pearson
They killed it.
Natoya Rose
if ur watching this and literally holding ur mouth and screaming, Thumbs up!! dey BESS!! they mash up!! all d moves on point. CLARKS!! big up jamaica
Letesha McKenzie
WHOOOYYY! HOORAYYYY! These two made me appreciate dancehall an official fine art!
mrsdecastillo tube
love this song and they did a great job with it!