Born as Adidja Azim Palmer on 7th of January 1976 in Jamaica, Kingston Vybz Kartel attended high school which was in Kingston but was expelled later on. He then attended a private school in Kingston to finish his studies and then graduated with four CXC level subjects, English, History, Literature and Geography. He was inspired to take part in the music industry by 2 of his uncles who were musicians trying to make it also. He was exposed to a wide range of music from Country music to the infamous Ninja Man who was Kartel’s rival later on after he established his career. Some of his loved artists at a young age were, Charlie Chaplin, Papa San, KRS-1 and Will Smith. He would also write down the songs and perform them to his friends and family. He is also known to many of his fans as “Di Teacha”.
Electric force and Soul Signal were some of the nearby sound systems which he used to practice are craft with during the weekends. His first single was released in 1993 titled. “Love Fat Woman” which was recorded under One Heart Records and used the name Adi Banton as a tribute to the well known Buju Banton who had a big influence in his career. He future recorded other singles with producers but did not gain much more success. In 1996 however he and 2 of his friends formed a group and was given the name Vibes Cartel which was inspired by the movie of Pablo Escaber and his cartel. This group however did not last due to some frictions which they had with one another. Again Adidja Palmer has to trod this path alone. He kept the group name as his one but used Vybz Kartel instead of Vibes Cartel. His career did not come with ease but the hard work which he did payed off very much to his benefit. In the year 2008 after gaining much success worldwide he made a line of condoms and rum, Daggering condoms and Vybz rum. All of these endorsements were made after singles which he had that were of major success and made it possible to have these lines.
Vybz Kartel has brought us hit after hit and is showing that he is number one in the dancehall arena. He has quickly gain success in various collaborations with international artists in mainstream music. He has had many enemies had has conquered them all with his unique lyrics and ability to freestyle with a pace which most people can’t produce. He gained more popularity when he teamed with Notnice productions and has brought to the surface new talent such as, Popcaan, Jah Vinchi and Black Rhyno to name a few.