Content
- Bio Data
- Biography
- Childhood and Education
- Personal Affairs
- Career
- Discography
- Social Media
- Net Worth
Bio Data
Full Name: | Adidja Azim Palmer |
Stage Name: | Vybz Kartel |
Born: | 7 January 1976 (age 47 years old) |
Place of Birth: | Kingston, Jamaica |
Nationality: | Jamaican |
Height: | 1.83 m |
Parents: | Teresa Palmer |
Siblings: | Maureen Palmer-Nelson |
Wife • Spouse: | Stacy Elliott (m. 2006–2008), Tanesha Johnson |
Girlfriend • Partner: | N/A |
Children: | Little Addi, World Boss Jr, Adi’Anna Ashanti Palmer, Little Vybz |
Occupation: | Musician • Businessman |
Net Worth: | $5.5 million |
Biography
Adidja Azim Palmer (born January 7, 1976), better known by his stage name Vybz Kartel, is a renowned reggae and dancehall performer, composer, record producer, businessman, and ex-convict from Jamaica.
With his controversial lyrics and larger-than-life presence, he has established himself as a veritable giant of the Jamaican dancehall industry. Vybz Kartel, affectionately known as the World Boss, has released a number of successful albums throughout the years, with Born Fi Dis (Prelude) being released in 2021.
Since the release of his debut single, “Love Fat Woman,” in 1993, Vybz Kartel has been a prominent member of the reggae and dancehall communities. Unfortunately, his turbulent personal life has frequently eclipsed his musical accomplishments.
Vybz Kartel was found guilty of murder in 2014 and is currently serving a life sentence with 35 years before parole. Despite this, his influence on the genre is undeniable.
Childhood and Education
Adidja Azim Palmer, best known to the world as Vybz Kartel and born on January 7, 1976, in Kingston, Jamaica, was destined for stardom from an early age. Vybz Kartel was raised by Jamaican parents, with a mother named Teresa Palmer and a sister named Maureen Palmer-Nelson. His uncles, who were also musicians, exposed him to music at a young age.
Vybz Kartel graduated from a technical tutoring school with high grades in topics like mathematics, geography, literature, and English, despite being dismissed from Calabar High School at the age of 16.
Artists such as Will Smith, Charlie Chaplin, Papa San, Ninja Man, and KRS-1 served as his primary sources of inspiration during this period. At the age of 11, Vybz Kartel had already begun writing his own lyrics. He is currently recognized as one of the most important and controversial dancehall artists of the twenty-first century.
Personal Affairs
In April 2003, Vybz Kartel, then 27 years old, welcomed his first child into the world. This child, born from the dancehall artist’s prolonged relationship with Tanesha “Shorty” Johnson, marked the beginning of a veritable brood. He has fathered four children with six different partners over the years.
In May of 2020, Vybz Kartel became a grandfather for the first time. His 15-year-old son was expecting a child with an 18-year-old woman, making him a grandfather for the first time.
Vybz Kartel’s marriage has also played a role in his personal life. He was formerly married to Stacy Elliott from 2006 to 2008 and is currently married to Tanesha Johnson. Little Addi, World Boss Jr., Adi’Anna Ashanti Palmer, and Little Vybz are his offspring.
Career
1993 marked the beginning of Vybz Kartel’s remarkable career with the release of “Love Fat Lady” on Alvin Reid’s label, One Heart. At the time, he was known by the moniker “Adi Banton,” which was inspired by the great Buju Banton.
He continued to use the name “Vybz Cartel” even after the gang collapsed and he was placed under the supervision of Bounty Killer. Almost 30 songs, including the fan favorite Gal Clown, have been composed by him with this band.
2009 was a breakthrough year for Vybz Kartel with the release of Ramping Shop starring Spice, which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. This was followed by the hit single “Dollar Sign,” which was frequently played on urban radio stations in the United States. Clarks, released in 2010, cemented his position on the international reggae market, spending 40 weeks in the top three reggae singles and enjoying substantial airplay in North America.
In 2010, the singles “Clarks,” “Clarks 2,” and “Clarks 3” by Vybz Kartel were widely praised and in high demand in Jamaica. These songs were featured on So You Think You Can Dance Canada and in a CNN segment about dancehall dancing due to its popularity.
In 2011, Vybz Kartel released his own footwear line, Addi’s, as well as a line of cake soap, which is normally used to clean garments rather than treat skin disorders like acne. But his particular brand of cake soap was designed to lighten or bleach the skin.
Vybz Kartel has continued to release new music despite being detained since 2011, much to the anger of Jamaican prison officials who believe he is not permitted to record. The recordings’ origins remain shrouded in mystery.
In 2016, while incarcerated, Vybz Kartel released his most successful album to date, King of the Dancehall, which peaked at number two on the US Billboard Reggae Charts. The album featured the smash tune “Fever,” which topped multiple regional music charts and became his most popular song on streaming websites.
Discography
- Teak Buddy
- Picture This
- Ramping Shop
- Sex & The City
- Tell You Say
- Slew Dem Like David
- Yuh Love
- Summertime
- Step Up Inna Life
- Life Sweet
- Last Man Standing
- Go Go Wine
- Street Vybz Girl
- Good Father/Mi, Sorry
- Lip Gloss
- Reparation
- Party Me Say
- Daddy Devil
- Look Pon Me
- Bubble Hard
- Me A Pree
- Fever
- Dancehall Hero
- Wickedest Ride
- Makeup
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @VybzKartel
Net Worth
Vybz Kartel is one of the most accomplished and financially successful Jamaican reggae performers, with an estimated net worth of $5.5 million. His distinctive musical style has won the hearts and ears of people all over the world, resulting in the creation of several hit singles and albums over the years.
In addition to having his music included in films and television series, Vybz Kartel has received numerous prizes and honors for his talents. He is a shining example of the island’s rich cultural heritage and a real giant of the Jamaican music industry.