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.
Which Friend
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Foe (foe, foe, foe)
Friend (friend, friend, friend)
Foe (foe, foe, foe)
Clarendon!
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
(Dem deh sittin nuh wuk again)
Friend kill friend, friend fuck friend
Friend diss friend, friend witness friend
"Oh, him get a Jordans?"
A who you?
When you a meds, you fi meds with sense
Birch never badmind Shaggy big Benz
Dawg, weh unuh a do with unuh existence
If you coulda talk to a zinc fence
And hear say your gyal a fuck, with your best friend
Weh you woulda do?
(Gunshot inna him head!)
Him gone, you gone
She gone with Ted
(All Teddy get a head!)
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
(Dem deh sittin nuh wuk again)
Friend kill friend, friend fuck friend
Friend diss friend, friend witness friend
Don' tell me nuh secret (Keep it)
From you tell, a nuh secret again
Friend fi you weed, mean weed a yuh friend!
Smiling face mek nuff man dead
Mi nuh trust looks, dawg dat a bait up
Mi nuh trust ends, so mi shoes lace up
Mi d'even trust the clothes weh mi wear
(The bwoy out deh inna blue Nike Air and a red shirt)
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
(Dem deh sittin nuh wuk again)
Friend kill friend, friend fuck friend
Friend diss friend, friend witness friend
Some bwoy waan look all your girl and a gwan like, you and him a pal, 'bout "haha"
Who a the greater gennial?
All she too? Mi nuh trust gyal!
She will tell you, who she don' like when you look her, and that's all right
But, you nah tell me who you like
No bwoy nor gyal cyaa pop off mi pride
(Wha' do you!)
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
(Dem deh sittin nuh wuk again)
Friend kill friend, friend fuck friend
Friend diss friend, friend witness friend
Friend (friend, friend, friend)
Friend (friend, friend, friend)
Friend (friend, friend, friend)
Friend (friend, friend, friend)
Clarendon
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
Which friend?, which friend?
Fam-bily
Which friend?, which friend?
(Dem deh sittin nuh wuk again)
Friend kill friend, friend fuck friend
Friend diss friend, friend witness friend
Vybz Kartel's lyrics in "Which Friend" are about the importance of choosing trustworthy friends. The song suggests that it is crucial to be careful when choosing friends because some of them can turn out to be foes. Kartel focuses on the idea that loyalty is an essential and valuable trait when it comes to friendship.
The song highlights various scenarios that can take place among friends, including betrayal, deception, and murder. Kartel emphasizes that "friend kill friend, friend fuck friend, friend diss friend, friend witness friend." These lyrics showcase how quickly a friendship can be destroyed due to negative actions.
The chorus "Which friend?, which friend? Fam-bily" emphasizes the importance of family and how they should be viewed as friends first. This line shows how family members should be a priority above any other friendships because they are the most trustworthy people in our lives.
Overall, "Which Friend" is a warning to pay attention when choosing friends and the possible consequences of spending time with the wrong people.
Line by Line Meaning
Which friend?, which friend?
Who is really your friend and who is not?
Fam-bily
True friends are like family.
Foe (foe, foe, foe)
There are also people in your life who pretend to be your friend, but are really your enemy.
Friend kill friend, friend fuck friend
Sometimes, people who you thought were your closest friends can do terrible things to you, like killing you or sleeping with your significant other.
Friend diss friend, friend witness friend
Others will betray you by telling lies, spreading rumors, or snitching on you.
"Oh, him get a Jordans?"
The lyrics mock people who are too focused on material things or jealous of others' success.
A who you?
The singer is questioning the credibility of the person judging someone else's achievement.
When you a meds, you fi meds with sense
When you are thinking or discussing important matters, make sure your actions and words are logical and wise.
Birch never badmind Shaggy big Benz
The artist is praising the genuine and supportive friendship between Birch and Shaggy. They are not jealous of each other's success or possessions.
Dawg, weh unuh a do with unuh existence
The artist questions how people can waste their time and life doing pointless things or being disloyal to their friends?
If you coulda talk to a zinc fence
The singer suggests that if you have nobody else to talk to, you can always talk to a fence instead of betraying your friends' trust.
And hear say your gyal a fuck, with your best friend Weh you woulda do?
The artist asks what would you do if you found out that your girlfriend cheated on you with your best friend?
(Gunshot inna him head!) Him gone, you gone She gone with Ted (All Teddy get a head!)
The lyrics explain the negative consequences that can arise from friendships gone wrong, which can lead to violence and hurt.
Don' tell me nuh secret (Keep it) From you tell, a nuh secret again
The singer emphasizes the importance of keeping confidential information private to maintain trust in friendships.
Friend fi you weed, mean weed a yuh friend!
The singer reminds us that the only way to know who is truly your friend is to see who is there for you during hard times.
Smiling face mek nuff man dead
Appearances can be deceiving, and people who seem friendly on the outside can actually be harmful to you.
Mi nuh trust looks, dawg dat a bait up Mi nuh trust ends, so mi shoes lace up Mi d'even trust the clothes weh mi wear (The bwoy out deh inna blue Nike Air and a red shirt)
The artist asserts his lack of trust in almost everything, including appearances, people, and clothing, as these can be used as bait to deceive you.
Some bwoy waan look all your girl and a gwan like, you and him a pal, 'bout "haha"
The lyrics criticize men who act like they are friends, but are really trying to get with your girlfriend behind your back.
Who a the greater gennial? All she too? Mi nuh trust gyal!
The singer questions who is truly worthy of trust and even doubts the loyalty of women.
She will tell you, who she don' like when you look her, and that's all right But, you nah tell me who you like
The artist points out the unfairness of people telling others who they do not like, but not being honest about who they do like.
No bwoy nor gyal cyaa pop off mi pride (Wha' do you!)
The artist asserts their confidence and pride, and will not let anyone take them down.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ADIDJA PALMER, WADE JOHNSON, LINTON TIMAJAE WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thee-content-creator
My number one tune now.
@godsorganiclove
Which friend, which friend, fambily…my fave is that solo 2:24-2:41growing up my sis and bro was in a marching band so hearing those rolls is sick to my ears and overall I love the combination of putting different instruments together. That little break down was fire, they killed that, I really do admire ppl who make beats man like how you know that I would like that man, that’s pretty sick. Like I like what you thought was nice when you was creating that, especially that part.
@senethasiddo3536
Kartel a the baddest Artist a Jamaica my Artist this big up Jamaica 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
@maxmclean7531
The man pull it easy Dan a damage teeth 2022 still active
@alaajundi8075
Kartel ah d baddest period
@irandgayle
Hello😅
@mauricesparta4337
kartel songs always makes sence
@laveithtafrancis1347
True he is very talented.
@nieuwhaven4494
@@laveithtafrancis1347 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
@jordoncarby6964
Factzzzzzzzzxzzzzzzzzz. My g