Who is Vybz kartel
Adjija Palmer,aka Vybz kartel, 48 now. one of Jamaica’s leading dancehall stars and legends. Born and grew in the district of Waterford in Jamaica. Vybz released his first single ‘ ‘ fat women” under the name Adi Banton at the age of 12 later.
As a young man Adi Banton, Mr Lee and his friends formed a group known as Vibes Cartel which was later dissolved. He kept the name as a solo artist, slightly changing it to Vybz Kartel in the 90’s. Kartel first appeared on the dancehall grid in the early 2000’s.
His debut album of up2 di time in 2003 brought him worldwide recognition. At the time he was ranking Jamaica’s new leading artist. Bounty killer, a big artist by then, took him under his wing . As a protégé he wrote several dancehall tracks for killer and the alliance management.
The raise of Vybz Kartel
He quickly rose to greater fame all through the time because of his controversial music. In the same year, Vybz was nominated for a MOBO award in the U.K.
He along with those of Beenie Man and Sizzla were quickly withdrawn from the list over concerns with lyrics representing homophobia.
Arguably Jamaica’s most notorious dancehall musician. Along his career path he rubbed shoulders with many artists making headlines. Thanks to an on-stage clash with Ninjaman during the Sting festival in Kartel’s hometown of Portmore.
The planned clash was highly anticipated, but members of Kartel’s crew known as Gaza assaulted Ninjaman on-stage. Chaos took over with numerous arrests and the future would come back to bite later in 2014 coming into question.
It was this time he had serious beef with the rival gang Gully side, headed by the One Mavado. There were so many rival gang battles which saw an increase in gun violence . The aftermath was he and two other friends were charged with mudder.
The Achievements he made.
Under his wing and influence Vybz Kartel mentored many artists in Jamaica like Popcaan, Govana and Skillibeng. These have gone ahead to make award winning hits over the time he spent behind bars .
Vybz Kartel was also able to achieve several milestones for he is not only the biggest artist in Jamaica . He is a known entrepreneur who owns a rum and condom company ,but also has a skin bleaching cream . Since it was him who popularized the bleaching of the skin.
All these gave him influence and power in Jamaica and all over the world. Leader of his gang called GAZA in which he is referred to as World Boss
Kartel’s arrest
Vybz Kartel has been in prison for life since April 3, 2014. On grounds of two counts of murder of a 27 year old and illegal possession of weapons, among other things and during this time he released over six albums and several other songs.
This kept him relevant in the dancehall field. Many other jamaican artists have been vocal and always called for the release of vybz kartel and finally.
The Jamaican dancehall king was released on the 31st of july 2024 after a series of court trials that failed to find the concrete evidence to pin vybz kartel and therefore courts of law dismissed the allegations and let him and two other companions with whom he was arrested with.
The Release of the World Boss
On being released Vybz was welcomed by his friends, wife and a mammoth crowd .Many of the luxurious cars were also parked in which he was taken in a hummer-limo with his wife and the other released companions .Vybz was very glad to be out and his first words to the media was a call to the youth for peace to end gun violence he as asked the youth avoid crime for it is a waste of time.
Many of his fans and die hard supporters who had long awaited the day celebrated on the streets with some of his old rivals like Mavado going to their instagram to post as a sign of respect and love welcoming back the world boss to the street. His best friend spice went to her Instagram live to celebrate and was seen rushing for the next plane to Jamaica.
Vybz being the notorious character during his time in prison he managed to smuggle a phone into the prison which was found on him . He faced further disciplinary action and was put in the coolers(isolation cell) for over 23 hours a day in poor conditions.
Kartel’s health deteriorated in prison hence he is not in the best condition now as seen from the looks of his body, this was one of the reasons the world boss got his freedom amongst other issues.
During his musical career he has worked with renown artists like Rihanna and Beyoncé, jazy xxx-tion among others.. Vybz Kartel’s influence cuts across borders for through this time he has managed to shape the Jamaican music scene for the past 10 years.
Now that the World Boss is out we await his concerts and world tour as he gets better health care . Stay on for more stories as it builds up. By Joshua