Celebrating Vybz Kartel’s 40th earthstrong with a #ThrowbackThursday
“Up to di time.” If you got to know Vybz Kartel quite recently (by that I mean after the mid 2000’s), you’ve probably never or very rarely heard the self-titled Worl’Boss pronounce these words. But, there used to be a time when this line introduced a track by Dancehall artist and entrepreneur Kartel aka Worl’Boss aka Addi di Teacha.
Adidjah Palmer best known as Vybz Kartel is one of the best Dancehall lyricists of his generation. Even though I do not approve his bleaching, murder conviction and the cheesy club songs he’s recorded during the 2010’s, I cannot deny his talent as a Dancehall Deejay.
His ability he has to clearly pronounce every syllable of every word made his flow quite unique. Besides, he was also quite good when it comes to clashes. One of the most important conflict he had in his career was against Mavado and his crew: Gaza vs Gully, around 2008.
During that time, both artist didn’t stop dissing each other in songs. Vybz released tracks such as “Mofraudo”, “Weh Dat Fah”, “Don’t Run/Barber Bwoy” just to name a few. Anyone could have thought that the feud would stop shortly after Kartel crushed the Gully Gaad at Sting 2008, but even now, from time to time, they are still dissing each other. That might be only be for the show though.
As he celebrates his 40th birthday today (01.07.16), we have decided to share with you a selection of 15 tracks. Check it out and share it. Let us know what’s your favorite Kartel song in a comment below.
Track list:
- Major Lazer ft. Pon De Floor
- Criminal War (Bounty Killer Diss)
- Dream
- Mama – Tj Records
- My Head
- No
- Nuh Baddah
- Proper Thing (Ain’t It) [DjTexXxas.com]
- Romping Shop
- Send A Hell
- The Lyricist (Flat Line)
- Weh Dat Fah
- Vybz Kartel and Wayne Marshall – New millenium
- Why U Doing It ft. Wayne Marshall
- Clarks ft. Popcaan & Gaza Slim
Discography:
- Up 2 Di Time 4 versions, Greensleeves Records (2003)
- Timeless 2 versions, Father & Son Records (2004)
- J.M.T. 3 versions, Greensleeves Records (2005)
- The Teacher’s Back (CD, Album), Victor (2008)
- Pon Di Gaza 2.0 3 versions, Tad’s Record (2009)
- Kingston Story 3 versions, Vice Records, Mixpak (2011)
- Kartel Forever (Trilogy) (3xCD, Album), Tad’s International (2013)
- Reggae Love and Other Things (16xFile, MP3, Album), Short Boss Muzik, 21st Hapilos (2014)