CAREER

120 2 1
                                    

1993–2002: Early career
Vybz Kartel started 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", as homage to Buju Banton.  Palmer was later part of the three-member group "Vybz Cartel", keeping the name after the group split up, and became a protege of Bounty Killer, for whom he claims to have written nearly 30 songs, including "Gal Clown".
2003–2008: Rise to Prominence
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.  While Kartel's manager initially blamed Ninjaman,  Kartel himself quickly apologised to Ninjaman and Sting organizers for the fracas.  Four days after the incident, the two artists appeared before the press to announce a settlement of their differences and to end any animosity.

THE LIFE OF A LEGENDWhere stories live. Discover now