Adidja Palmer, popularly known as ‘Vybz Kartel’

Adidja Palmer, popularly known as ‘Vybz Kartel’ born on the 7th of July 1976 is a Jamaican dancehall artiste who started his career as a teenager. Adidja attended Calabar High School in Kingston but was expelled. Determined to continue his education, he completed his studies at Tutorial College, a private school in Kingston.

 

In 1993, at age 12 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. Vybz Kartel was first noticed by Bounty Killer another popular Dancehall DeeJay at the time. Vybz Kartel wrote lyrics for Bounty Killer and since then it has been up hill.  Bounty Killer said at one of the concerts that “there is extreme potential with Vybz”.
One thing lead to another and a year later he had worked with famous Jamaican artist like Elephant Man, Wayne Marshall and Bounty Killer and was crowned DeeJay of the year 2002. In 2008, Vybz Kartel launched his own liquor line; Street Vybz Rum.

 

He hosted a weekly dance party Street Vybz Thursday, at the Building, a Kingston nightclub he managed with Street Vybz Rum business partner, Corey Todd. Vybz Kartel has also hosted his own reality television show “Teacha’s Pet” on CVM Jamaica broadcast channel, the first reality television show hosted by a dancehall artist in Jamaica.

 

In 2005, Vybz and Bounty killer 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.

Adidja Palmer

Adidja Palmer

Aidonia also left, because he took Vybz side, falling out with Busy Signal and making the song “A did A Mi Daddy Who Wa Vex Wan Vex.” It was said Vybz took side with Beenie by showing up at his wedding. 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.

 

After years of success, in 2011, Vybz would release the Kingston Story album with Brooklyn house music producer Dre Skull handling the beats. Kartel was arrested in September of that year and charged with the murder of Barrington “Bosie” Burton, a music promoter based in Portmore.

 

He made bail on the Burton murder charge; he remained jailed based on new charges in connection with the murder of alleged gang member Clive “Lizard” Williams. His trial for the murder of Clive Williams started on 18th of November 2013 and a verdict was reached on 13 March 2014.he was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to life in prison and is eligible for parole after 35 years.

 

Kartel is also popular for the bleaching of the skin which he received a bashing for in 2010 and his heavily bodied tattoos, and lyrics sometimes not suitable for air play, but nevertheless, many youths has gravitated to the now incarcerated artiste, his songs are commonly heard at popular street dances.

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