Vybz Kartel

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Vybz Kartel
Birth name Adidja Azim Palmer
Born (1976-01-07) 7 January 1976
Kingston, Jamaica
Origin Portmore, Jamaica
Genres Reggae, dancehall, reggae fusion
Occupations Deejay, songwriter, entrepreneur, singer, producer
Years active 2000–present
Labels Adidjahiem, Vice
Associated acts Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Aidonia, Elephant Man, Ninjaman, The Alliance, Portmore Empire, Major Lazer, Popcaan, Kano (rapper), Tommy Lee Sparta, Vanessa Bling, Di Genius
Website www.vybzkartel.co.uk

Adidja Azim Palmer (born 7 January 1976)[1][2][3] better known as Vybz Kartel, is a Jamaican dancehall artist, songwriter and businessman. His singles include "Clarks", "Romping Shop", "Poor People", "Tell You Say", "Like Christmas" and "Pon De Floor".

Biography

Adidja Palmer began his career as a teenager in 1993 with his first recording "Love Fat Woman", released on Alvin Reid's label "One Heart", using the moniker "Adi Banton", a homage to Buju Banton.[4] Palmer was later part of the three-member group "Vybez Kartel", keeping the slightly altered name after group split up, and became a protege of Bounty Killer, for whom he claims to have written nearly 30 songs, including "Gal Clown".[5]

Vybz Kartel rose to prominence in 2003 after a string of hits in Jamaica. The year culminated in a pre-planned on-stage clash with Ninjaman at the annual dancehall festival Sting in Kartel's hometown of Portmore. The clash turned violent when Kartel's crewmembers, as well as Kartel himself, threw punches and assaulted Ninjaman onstage.[6] While Kartel's manager initially blamed Ninjaman for the fracas,[6] Kartel himself quickly apologised to Ninjaman and Sting organizers for the fracas.[7] Four days after the incident, the two artists appeared before the press to announce a settlement of their differences and to end any animosity.[8]

He established his own label Adidjahiem/Notnice Records with his business partner and producer Ainsley "Notnice" Morris.[9] In 2010, he released his album Pon Di Gaza 2.0 on Adidjahiem/Notnice Records in collaboration with Tads Record Inc.[10] In Spring 2011, Vybz Kartel released an album entitled 'Kingston Story' with Brooklyn hip hop/electro producer Dre Skull.[11]

Kartel has worked on collaborations and remixes with hip hop and R&B musicians Jay-Z, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, M.I.A, Pharrell, Kardinal Offishall, Akon, Jim Jones, Lil Wayne and Eminem.

In 2009 his song featuring female Jamaican deejay 'Spice', "Ramping Shop", debuted on the Billboard Top 100 Singles charts,[12] and "Dollar Sign" being in regular rotation on urban radio stations in the US.[13] His 2010 single "Clarks" was one of his biggest international successes, remaining in the top 3 Reggae Singles gaining the most radio plays in North America for 40 weeks.[14] "Clarks" was also featured on the TV series So You Think You Can Dance Canada,[15] and on a CNN segment on dancehall dance.[16] MTV's Vice Guide to Dancehall featured Kartel at his weekly dance party, Street Vybz Thursday.[17]

After splitting with Bounty Killer-led Alliance in 2006, Kartel founded the Portmore Empire, a group of dancehall DJ's and singers from his Portmore neighborhood that he signed to his newly founded Adidjahiem/Notnice Records. Members of the group as of 2011 were: Popcaan, Gaza Slim, Shawn Storm, Sheba, Gaza Indu, Tommy Lee, Singing Maxwell, Singa Blinga, Lenny Mattic. Former members include Lisa Hype,[18] Gaza Kim,[19] Black Ryno,[20] Jah Vinci, Dosa Medicine and Merital Family.[21]

Feud with Mavado

Towards the end of 2006, Vybz Kartel left The Alliance. Tensions arose following Kartel's continued association with Bounty Killer's longtime enemy, Beenie Man, including Kartel attending Beenie Man's wedding to Bounty Killer's ex-girlfriend D'Angel.[22] Due to Kartel's defection from The Alliance and his 'parring' (fraternising) with Beenie Man, a series of songs and counteraction songs ensued - the main proponents being Kartel and Mavado.

A very public feud between Vybz Kartel and former collaborator Mavado arose towards the end of 2006, stemming from Vybz' much publicized departure from the dancehall conglomerate group The Alliance. The feud resulted in numerous diss tracks released, in which each artist dissed the other and their associates over popular dancehall rhythms.[23] In a police-overseen press conference in March 2007, both Mavado and Vybz Kartel publicly announced an end to hostilities and apologized to fans.[24]

However, by the summer of 2008, tensions flared with a renewal of "diss tracks" from each artist, and a lyrical clash between the two at Sting 2008 left mixed views as to the "winner".[25][26] Most of 2009 saw a continuation of the public feud, which dominated Jamaican media and, to a certain extent, Jamaican culture, with the two artists' factions, Gaza (Kartel) and Gully (Mavado), being adopted by Jamaican youth, in some cases leading to street violence.[27][28]

On 8 December 2009, Kartel and Mavado met with Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding in an attempt to end the feud, which had by that time fueled mob attacks in some of the inner-city neighborhoods of Kingston.[29] The two had performed together on-stage the previous night in a sign of goodwill at the West Kingston Jamboree, a concert promoted by drug lord[30] Christopher "Dudus" Coke.[23] After the truce in December 2009, the two artists were scheduled to perform a unity concert in March 2010 in Barbados, which was later cancelled by the prime minister of that country.[31]

Business

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.[32] The rum is officially distributed by Vybz Distillers Limited. The same year, he also released his own condom line, Daggering Condoms.[33] Street Vybz Rum production was stopped in 2011 because of a disagreement between he and Corey Todd. However, the collaboration resumed in 2012 as the two settled their differences, and despite Kartel's ongoing incarceration.[34] In 2011, he released his own shoe line, named Addi's, as well as his own line of "cake soap".[35][36][37]

When his singles "Clarks", "Clarks 2 (Clarks Again)" and "Clarks 3 (Wear Weh Yuh Have)" featured the British shoe brand Clarks in 2010, its sales numbers and prices in Jamaica increased considerably.[38]

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. The premise of "Teacha's Pet" found 20 women living in a Kingston house vying for the artist's affection; the show's lascivious content elicited condemnation of its sponsor, telecommunications company LIME. The show came to a halt with the artist's arrest on murder charges in September 2011.[39]

Controversies

Whitening (Bleaching)

Kartel has come under controversy over perceived skin whitening, or "bleaching", leading him to claim to the use of "cake soap" to lighten his skin.[40][41] The Blue Power Group, Jamaican manufacturer of the popular cake soap (or "blue soap"), has refuted claims it changes skin color.[42] Kartel then stated the soap used to lighten his skin was his own Company brand, which he intends to release on the local market and to overseas clients .[35]

Airwave Ban

In September 2011 the National Communications Network of Guyana banned Vybz Kartel from the airwaves—the first such action against a specific artist. His music contained "obscene lyrics" and brought "nothing positive" to the entertainment industry, said NCN spokesman Martin Goolsarran (Wednesday, Sept 21) after a week of internal debate. He said NCN was reviewing the lyrics of other musicians and could ban them as well. In fact the government had no problem with Kartel, its Tourism Ministry inviting him to an August music festival, angering the Tourism Ministry and Guyanese promoters when he failed to show up.[43]

Murder charges

On 29 September 2011, Kartel was arrested by police. Jamaica's Major Investigation Taskforce (MIT) charged him with murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm. The deceased was Barrington 'Bossie' Burton, a 27-year-old businessman and music promoter based in the St. Catherine suburb of Portmore. They first visited Kingston's Norbrook community where the DJ resides, then went to a property on Swallowfield Avenue in Kingston's Havendale area. That residence was the scene of a fire several weeks ago; a scorched computer hard-drive and several boxes were removed. They then drove to Portmore to a home purportedly owned by Kartel's mother, where a number of items were similarly confiscated. Kartel was detained for the weekend in relation to a partially burned, decomposing body found inside the Swallowfield Avenue home.[44]

Kartel was granted bail for the Burton murder 23 March 2012 for JD$3,000,000, but currently remains in jail in connection on a second murder, of one Clive 'Lizzard' Williams.[45] He was also charged, along with two others including Vanessa "Gaza Slim" Saddler, with perverting the course of justice, after Saddler allegedly claimed that Williams had robbed her to mislead the police into believing that he was still alive.[46] His trial was originally scheduled for 21 January 2013, but had to be postponed due to a lack of jurors, and was rescheduled for July 11. [47] On July 24th a jury found Kartel Not Guilty and he was acquitted of the charge of murder of Barrington Burton, but still remains in custody.His trial for the murder of Clive Williams started on the week starting November 18th and is currently on going.[48]

While in prison in 2012 his book The Voice Of The Jamaican Ghetto: Incarcerated but not Silenced, co-written with business associate Michael Dawson, was published.[49]

Discography

Albums

  • 2003: Up 2 Di Time
  • 2004: More Up 2 Di Time
  • 2004: Timeless
  • 2005: J.M.T.
  • 2008: The Teacher's Back
  • 2009: Most Wanted
  • 2010: Pon di Gaza 2.0
  • 2011: Kingston Story
  • 2013: The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto - Incarcerated But Not Silenced
  • 2013: Kartel Forever: Trilogy

Extended Plays

  • 2009:GAZA
  • 2010: Raw - EP
  • 2011: The Gaza Don
  • 2011: Colouring Book
  • 2012: Stronger We Get
  • 2012: Amsterdam
  • 2012: Mentally Free
  • 2013: Time To Be Free

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US R&B
"Romping Shop" 2009 76[50] Pon di Gaza 2.0
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

Year Title Album Artist
2005 "You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)" (featuring Vybz Kartel) Music of the Sun Rihanna
2005 "Bad Man" (featuring Vybz Kartel and M.I.A.) The Cookbook Missy Elliott
2006 "Descarada (Dance)" (featuring Vybz Kartel) El Mariel Pitbull
2007 "Colors 2007" (Reggae Remix) (featuring Vybz Kartel and Kardinal Official) Sean Kingston Sean Kingston
2009 "Herbs Promotion" (featuring Demarco and Vybz Kartel) Contagious Tarrus Riley
2009 "Pon De Floor" (featuring Vybz Kartel) Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do Major Lazer
2012 "Wine & Go Down" (featuring Vybz Kartel) Year of the Dragon Busta Rhymes

Awards

Kartel has had several collaborations with international hip hop and pop stars. He has released two albums for the UK/US based label Greensleeves Records. He was also nominated for the Source,[51] VIBE and UK MOBO awards, although his 2004 UK MOBO award nomination was withdrawn amidst controversy over homophobic content of his lyrics.[52]

  • 2003
    • Stone Love's 30th Anniversary
      • DJ of the Year 2005
  • 2008
    • CUMA (Caribbean Urban Music Awards)
  • 2009
    • EME Awards[53]
      • Male DJ of the Year
      • Lyricist/Songwriter of the Year
      • Song of the Year (Romping Shop ft. Spice)
  • 2010

References

  1. ↑ . RRRMusic.com. Retrieved 2011-3-2.
  2. ↑ . 6lyrics.com. Retrieved 2011-3-2.
  3. ↑ . Musictory.com. Retrieved 2011-3-2.
  4. ↑ Biography: Vybz Kartel aka Adijah Palmer. UrbanIslandz.com. 28 August 2010.
  5. ↑ Max, James. Vybz Kartel: I wrote about 30-odd songsw for Bounty Killer. UrbanIslandz.com. 17 December 2010.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mills, Claude. Terror at Sting. Jamaica Gleaner. 28 December 2003. Retrieved 2011-3-3.
  7. ↑ Vybz Kartel apologises to Ninja Man, Sting organisers. Jamaica Observer. 30 December 2003. Retrieved 3011-3-3.
  8. ↑ Sinclair, Glenroy; Smith, Germaine. 'We were wrong' - Ninja Man, Vybz Kartel arrested and charged following Sting 'slug-fest'. Jamaica Gleaner. 31 December 2003. Retrieved 2011-3-3.
  9. ↑ GoodHeart, Korry. 'Not Nice', the man 'engineering' the Empire dominance in dancehall. RisingStarsTV.Net. 18 January 2010.
  10. ↑ Kartel releases Pon Di Gaza 2.0. Jamaica Star. Retrieved 2011-2-16.
  11. ↑ Vybz Kartel Announces New Album Produced By Dre Skull. DreSkull.com. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-2-16.
  12. ↑ Ramping Shop Hits The Billboard Chart. Dancehall.Mobi. Retrieved 2011-2-16.
  13. ↑ WRFG Radio Free Georgia. Retrieved 2011-4-15.
  14. ↑ Clarks: De Mixtape Raw Hits Stores. Jamaicans.com. 5 January 2011.
  15. ↑ So You Think You Can Dance - Canada (Vybz Kartel - 'Clarks'). Harrington Kommunication. 3 September 2010.
  16. ↑ CNN Reports Jamaican Dancehall Goes Global. The Sweet 7. 21 January 2011.
  17. ↑ Henry, Krista. Dancehall episode for MTV series. Jamaica Star. Retrieved 2011-2-16.
  18. ↑ "Lisa Hype is no longer part of the Portmore Empire..." Vybz Kartel announces split with Lisa Hype. YardFlex.com. 30 December 2009.
  19. ↑ Gaza Kim Exits Portmore Empire + England Town Medley. RisingStarsTV.net. 17 January 2010.
  20. ↑ Black Rhyno leaves Portmore Empire. Jamaica Observer. 25 February 2010.
  21. ↑ Merital Family Leaves Portmore Empire. Dancehall Madness. 7 June 2011 .
  22. ↑ Henry, Krista. Kartel reveals life story. Jamaica Star. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 2011-2-16.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Dreisinger, Baz. Reggae's Civil War Why Mavado and Vybz Kartel might be the Biggie and Tupac of Dancehall. Village Voice. 2 March 2010.
  24. ↑ Kaylia Williams: Unprecedented Press Conference ends feud between Vybz Kartel and Mavado. YardFlex.com Archives, 2 March 2007. Accessed 27 January 2011
  25. ↑ Mavado and Vybz Kartel at it again. YardFlex.com. 22 August 2008. Retrieved 2011-4-15.
  26. ↑ Black, Francine. Entertainment insiders say ... STING CLASH WAS A DRAW. Jamaica Star. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 2011-4-15.
  27. ↑ Boyne, Ian. The Gully-Gaza war. Jamaica Gleaner. 20 September 2009. Retrieved 2011-4-15.
  28. ↑ BEATEN FOR 'GULLY' MUSIC - Driver assaulted, householder threatened after playing Mavado songs. Jamaica Star. 4 August 2009. Retrieved 2011-4-15.
  29. ↑ Prime Minister to meet with Kartel, Mavado. Jamaica Gleaner. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 2011-4-15.
  30. ↑ "Jamaica drug lord 'Dudus' Coke admits racketeering". BBC News. 31 August 2011. 
  31. ↑ Barbados PM says no to Mavado, Vybz Kartel show. Jamaica Observer. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 2011-4-15.
  32. ↑ Henry, Krista. Kartel Takes Over Club. Jamaica Star. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 2011-3-4.
  33. ↑ Introducing ‘Daggering Condoms’ by Vybz Kartel. YardFlex. 2 September 2008.
  34. ↑ "Vybz Kartel, Corey Todd Officially Re-launch Street Vybz Rum". Boomstation. 2012-08-24. Retrieved 2013-03-10. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Henry, Krista. Kartel to start own shoe brand. Jamaica Star. Retrieved 2011-2-28.
  36. ↑ "Kartel's Addi's brand hits the market - Entertainment - Jamaica Star - February 7, 2011". Jamaica Star. 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2013-03-10. 
  37. ↑ "Vybz Kartel Releases Skin Bleaching Line While Awaiting Trial For Murder". Rapfix.mtv.com. 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2013-03-10. 
  38. ↑ Name * (9 July 2010). "Sales of Clarks shoes skyrocket in Jamaica thanks to Vybz Kartel « Repeating Islands". Repeatingislands.com. Retrieved 2011-03-08. 
  39. ↑ "Vybz Kartel on murder rap". Cnweeklynews.com. 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2013-03-10. 
  40. ↑ Hunter, Nadisha. Rub it out. Jamaica Gleaner. 29 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-2-28.
  41. ↑ Farah. Vybz Kartel under fire for skin bleaching. The Tribune (Bahamas). 2 February 2011. Retrieved 2011-2-28.
  42. ↑ Roache, Alicia. Cake soap company lightens Kartel's claim. Jamaica Observer. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 2011-2-28.
  43. ↑
  44. ↑ Meschino, Patricia (4 October 2011). "Vybz Kartel, Jamaican Dancehall Star, Charged with Murder". Billboard. Retrieved 23 March 2012. 
  45. ↑ "Vybz Kartel granted bail, but remains jailed". Jamaica Gleaner. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2012. 
  46. ↑ Mundle, Tanesha (2012) "Nov 12 trial date for Kartel", Jamaica Observer, 30 August 2012, retrieved 1 September 2012
  47. ↑ "Vybz Kartel trial faces further delay". 
  48. ↑ "Vybz Kartel not guilty... Acquitted after prosecution offers no further evidence". Jamaica Gleaner. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013. 
  49. ↑ Campbell, Curtis (2013) "Vybz Kartel's Book Offered At University - 'Voice Of The Ghetto' Gets Princeton Endorsement", Jamaica Gleaner, 11 August 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013
  50. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/431111/vybz+kartel/chart
  51. ↑ "Vybz Kartel pleased to be nominated for a Source award". ttgapers.com. Retrieved 2011-03-08. 
  52. ↑ Mobo drops 'homophobic' artists BBC News, 8 September 2004
  53. ↑ "2009 EME Awards". EME Awards. 
  54. ↑ "2010 EME Awards". EME Awards. 
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