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.
Who Knows
Vybz Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Livin' la vida loca
Mi couldn't be no broker
Mi nearly touch di coka
But di powers of Jehovah
A dat me mek tek over
Daddy use to call me joker
Now him call me Nova Scotia
Mek wicked run for cover
Dem watch mi like bulova
Dem want we squeeze trigga
Fi police kick we like Ruud Gullit
Den lock up we fi pull it
Wha 'appen to di man
Weh mek di bullet and di gun fi full it
Dem wah me crash di jeep and
Know mi work fi buy di vehicle
Good mi a wish fi people
While dem a wish mi evil
Dem want mi come to nuttin' and
Mi nuh do dem nuttin'
Choo dem can't press mi button
Dem wish me Ali butt'n
Somethin' muss do dem and if not
Mi still give it to dem
Fight people pickney cuh dem and
Fi dem forbidden
Mi see dem and gwaan like
Mi no si dem and give dem
Something fi talk while
Mi juck it inna dem heart
Who knows what tomorrow brings
In a world where everyone's lying
Where you go no matter how far
I'll find to let you know you are not alone
Who love you more
Outta you baby madda or you real mother
You brethren or your bradda
You fren dem or you Fadda
You Deacon or your daughta
Blood thicker dan water
So don't get mix up like mortar
Don't mek dem ever trap you
Inna dem web like Peter Parker
Leave dem and return like Luke Skywalker
Di Jedi dem red eye
So dem want fi si you falter
Stand up like Gibraltar
Wid nine calibre PPK Walter
Dem fear weh dem nuh understand and
Hate weh dem can't conquer
Dem want sink you like anchor
Choo you become di banker
Dem want a match
Tell dem go watch West Indies and Sri Lanka
Dem want a war tell dem go on
Take on some Russian Tanker
Waterford no pet or pamper
From baby to di Grandpa
Wi nuh cowboy like Dallas
But wi brave like Atlanta
Gangsta if you nuh have no sense
You nah mek no dollar and if you can't be a leader
Careful who you follow
Who knows what tomorrow brings
In a world where everyone's lying
Where you go no matter how far
I'll find to let you know you are not alone
Mi was a ganja smoker
Livin' la vida loca
Mi couldn't be no broker
Mi nearly touch di coka
But di powers of Jehovah
A dat me mek tek over
Daddy use to call me joker
Now him call me Nova Scotia
Fight until di fight is over
Mek wicked run for cover
Dem watch mi like bulova
Dem want we squeeze trigga
Fi police kick we like Ruud Gullit
Den lock up we fi pull it
Wha 'appen to di man
Weh mek di bullet and di gun fi full it
Dem wah me crash di jeep and
Know mi work fi buy di vehicle
Good mi a wish fi people
While dem a wish mi evil
Dem want mi come to nuttin' and
Mi nuh do dem nuttin'
Choo dem can't press mi button
Dem wish me Ali butt'n
Somethin' muss do dem and if not
Mi still give it to dem
Fight people pickney cuh dem and
Fi dem forbidden
Mi see dem and gwaan like
Mi no si dem and give dem
Something fi talk while
Mi juck it inna dem heart
Who knows what tomorrow brings
In a world where everyone's lying
Where you go no matter how far
I'll find to let you know you are not alone
The lyrics to Vybz Kartel's song Who Knows explore themes of loyalty, perseverance, and the struggle for survival in a world where danger is always lurking. The opening verse describes the singer's past struggles with drugs and reckless behavior, and how he has overcome these challenges through the strength of his faith in Jehovah. He warns of the dangers of police violence and the need to fight for one's rights, while also emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself and avoiding the traps of others.
Throughout the song, Kartel emphasizes the importance of loyalty and family, suggesting that the bonds of blood are stronger than any other. At the same time, he warns against blindly following others, cautioning his listeners to be careful who they trust and who they follow. Ultimately, the song's message is one of survival and perseverance, urging listeners to stay true to themselves and fight for what they believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
Mi was a ganja smoker
I used to smoke weed
Livin' la vida loca
Living a wild life
Mi couldn't be no broker
I couldn't be involved in drugs or illegal business
Mi nearly touch di coka
I almost got involved with cocaine
But di powers of Jehovah
But the power of God
A dat me mek tek over
That's what took over me
Daddy use to call me joker
My dad used to call me a jester
Now him call me Nova Scotia
Now he calls me by a different nickname
Fight until di fight is over
Fight until the end
Mek wicked run for cover
Make the wicked ones hide
Dem watch mi like bulova
They watch me like a Bulova watch
Dem want we squeeze trigga
They want us to pull the trigger
Fi police kick we like Ruud Gullit
Police wants to kick us like how Ruud Gullit kicks a football
Den lock up we fi pull it
Then they lock us up for it
Wha 'appen to di man
What happened to the man
Weh mek di bullet and di gun fi full it
Who made the bullet and filled the gun with it
Dem wah me crash di jeep and
They want me to crash my Jeep and
Know mi work fi buy di vehicle
Know that I worked hard to buy the vehicle
Good mi a wish fi people
I wish well for people
While dem a wish mi evil
While they wish me harm
Dem want mi come to nuttin' and
They want me to fail
Mi nuh do dem nuttin'
I have not wronged them
Choo dem can't press mi button
Because they can't provoke me
Dem wish me Ali butt'n
They want to provoke me like how people used to provoke Muhammad Ali
Somethin' muss do dem and if not
Something is wrong with them and if not
Mi still give it to dem
I will still fight them
Fight people pickney cuh dem and
Fight for children because they are vulnerable
Fi dem forbidden
Because it is forbidden for them
Mi see dem and gwaan like
I see them but act like
Mi no si dem and give dem
I don't acknowledge them and give them
Something fi talk while
Something to talk about while
Mi juck it inna dem heart
I give them something to feel in their heart
Who knows what tomorrow brings
No one knows what will happen tomorrow
In a world where everyone's lying
In a world where everyone is dishonest
Where you go no matter how far
No matter how far you go
I'll find to let you know you are not alone
I will be there to let you know you are not alone
Who love you more
Who loves you more
Outta you baby madda or you real mother
Your baby mother or your biological mother
You brethren or your bradda
Your friends or your brothers
You fren dem or you Fadda
Your friends or your father
You Deacon or your daughta
Your Deacon or your daughter
Blood thicker dan water
Family is stronger than any other bond
So don't get mix up like mortar
So don't get mixed up like mortar
Don't mek dem ever trap you
Don't let them trap you
Inna dem web like Peter Parker
In their web like Peter Parker (Spider-Man)
Leave dem and return like Luke Skywalker
Leave them and come back like Luke Skywalker
Di Jedi dem red eye
The Jedi (good guys) are ready for battle
So dem want fi si you falter
So they want to see you fail
Stand up like Gibraltar
Stand strong like the rock of Gibraltar
Wid nine calibre PPK Walter
With a nine-millimeter PPK Walter gun
Dem fear weh dem nuh understand and
They fear what they don't understand and
Hate weh dem can't conquer
Hate what they can't conquer
Dem want sink you like anchor
They want to sink you like an anchor
Choo you become di banker
Because you become successful
Dem want a match
They want a fight
Tell dem go watch West Indies and Sri Lanka
Tell them to watch a cricket match between West Indies and Sri Lanka
Dem want a war tell dem go on
They want a war, tell them to go for it
Take on some Russian Tanker
Take on some Russian tankers
Waterford no pet or pamper
Waterford is not pampered or babied
From baby to di Grandpa
From babies to grandfathers
Wi nuh cowboy like Dallas
We are not cowboys like in Dallas
But wi brave like Atlanta
But we are brave like in Atlanta
Gangsta if you nuh have no sense
A gangster without sense
You nah mek no dollar and if you can't be a leader
You won't make any money and if you can't be a leader
Careful who you follow
Be careful who you follow
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADIDJA PALMER, CRAIG PARKES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lifetime Echoes
Still the baddest in 2019 and time after time point!
hampshire dale
Hate weh dem nuh understand and fear weh dem caah conquer. Powerful words
Lifetime Echoes
Still big in 2018
Omar Groves
"Dem wah mi come to nutten & mi nutten, choo dem caw press mi button" This man had principles and stood for what he believed and didn't bow to the system, while freely alive on this earth. "mi si den, and gwaan like mi nuh is is dem & go dam sumpen fi talk, while mi juk it inna dem heart" ..My favorite Kartel song of all time....I will never stop playing this song for the rest of my life until I die, those 2 things call ears above my neck need to here the often. maybe one day it'l become jaded to me & then I'll stop, but even then it will live on in my heart.
Louie Tzepher
Yet he murdered ppl?
Bored Butterfly
big man tune real big man tune
JahLevaCB4C
Legend
Uñåňïmøųś Gâżå
💯💯💯💯👊👊👊👊🔥🔥🔥🔥👌👌👌👌 Gaza till death 2017
Don Goliath
Love it! I also got a Dancehall music vid ready. I invite you all to watch it ;)
sherriaris
Him listen to the 2pac song pan di makavelli album. big up kartel.