Kartel: Deejay, gangsta, or porn star?

Monday, March 29, 2010

Deejay Vybz Kartel surely knows how to grab head lines (no pun intended.) He has positioned himself as the top deejay locally and last year released a slew of songs which ensured that he claimed the coveted DJ of the Year title for 2009.

Kartel, as the self-proclaimed President of the Gaza and the leader of the now crumbling Portmore Empire, has had his fair share of criticism as being a 'gangsta', just like many deejays of this era have been labelled. However, the name Gaza speaks for itself, as the Gaza Strip which borders Egypt and Israel is known for some of the fiercest gun battles between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Kartel has been accused of (and has denied) beating wayward members of the Portmore Empire into submission and the recent shooting up and fire-bombing of deejay Blak Ryno's house sent tongues wagging. Blak Ryno subsequently released a song in which he said the he was not "him pickney" and therefore had no right to beat him.

In September 2008, Kartel was picked up by police and questioned in the death of Christopher 'Nunu Puss' Miller, whose bullet-riddled body was found in Bernard Lodge, St Catherine. Kartel's Norbrook house was also raided by the cops. However, he was released without charge and subsequently declared his innocence. He was reported as saying then, "A jus some people a try mek it look like Kartel a di evilest man inna di world."

Kartel, in true deejay style proclaimed that he would write a song about that particular tribulation. He has however done so many songs since then, that it's hard to recall whether or not he kept his promise. But the theme of his songs, however, have been constant -- guns and sex. Included in his repertoire is a popular song dedicated to the "girl dem inna di go-go club', in which he vividly describes oral sex, an act which is considered taboo within the dancehall.

Late last year, Lisa Hype, while still a Gaza Princess and the aspiring First Lady of the Gaza, was booted from the territory when pictures surfaced of her performing this illicit activity on a man whose face was hidden. A release said that "The members of the Empire have unanimously agreed to end our professional relationship especially in light of certain 'developments' that have come to our attention regarding her overall conduct, conduct that is not consistent with the decorum expected of a member of the Portmore Empire."

After that mouthful from Kartel, who wouldn't be shocked when pictures surfaced late last week of him being the recipient of the very act for which Lisa Hype was kicked out.

Kartel, to put it mildly, had the Internet -- Facebook, Twitter and even mediatakeout.com -- blowing up last week when two photos of himself and two female companions indulging in oral sex in separate incidents. Many asked the question online if Kartel had quit deejaying and had turned into a porn star.

And here's what Kartel had to say about the picture on his Twitter page: "Why should these photos cause such chaos when everyone an dem mumma kno that Vybz Kartel is the 2 Live Luke of dancehall. Haven't they been listening to my lyrics all these years?"

Interestingly, rapper 2 Live Luke's latest album, (2006) was a triple disc featuring glorious titles such as My Life & Freaky Times, The Best of Uncle Luke's Freak Shows, Foreplay aka the Introduction, Luke and Mike Tyson: Saved by P----, Beauty and the Bestiality and Golden Shower Weekend.

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COMMENTS (19)

Gee Whiz
3/30/2010

@anguish of being...I always say 'intelligence" is a relative word. A person goes to a "good" skool doesn't make him/ her an intelligent one. A person being well learnt does not constitute intelligence. Evere hear the saying" Bag a education & no know how?".
Besides, these DJ's have only 3 topics that u constantly hear, guns, sex or homosexualuality.

Devon Campbell
3/30/2010

I dont think we should waste time to comment on a topic such as this. Vibes cartel and others like him have done nothing but to promote violence and slackness in our society. How can a true Jamaican give respect to an individual who only intent is to destroy whatever morality we have left in our Country. To slander our beautiful women and to tell our sons to shoot and kill is just contributing to the down fall of our nation... and of course he and his gaza crew are not he only ones to be blamed... our politicians are equally at fault. I think Vibes Cartel still has the ability to be as popular if he sticks to songs such as MAMA, LIFE WE LIVING, CAREFUL these songs are positive lyrics and show how VIbes Cartel dont need the so caled "gansta songs" that is currently blazing our airwaves.

Paul Lewis
3/30/2010

@ Jamal Higgins, what you did not say, is which mental ward you are writing from ?. I can imagine a family drive through the countryside, with you leading the singalong

Anancy Bedward
3/30/2010

The headline should be:
KARTEL: POPPY-SHOW, BUFFOON OR EXALTED EEDIAT!!

Jamal Higgins
3/30/2010

I am a 29 year old man with 3 lovely daughters and a wife I love very much,and im in no way ashamed to say Vybz Kartel is my daddy.Addi a mi daddi and that just how it go's.Theres alot of people who feels like me in my age group.I feel everything Vybz Kartel those is for a good reason and entertainment so I would consider him a deejay.Addi a mi daddi have a good day people.

Olivia Dwyer
3/29/2010

Vybz Kartel, wow,an interesting topic that one is. Let us not neglect the fact that this man is "worshipped" by many of our school children and even adults who have seemingly listened to his songs which have become "food to our souls". His popular lewd lyrics have become prevalent and can be heard in every Taxi and every corner there is. Not to perpetuate the moment but this character has become a movie star, not saying that it is his fault. A mistake is forgiven the first time, but the second time may be seen to fans as derogatory and "low". This artist needs to keep in mind that many young individuyals idolize his songs,behaviors and attitudes which are depicted mostly in his songs and videos. I am not getting into this mans personal life, but how can a man of such intelligence allow his pictures to become movie scenes and indiscipline acts of ones self. Now the Port more Empire is obviously crumbling and if the head of and organization is not properly functioning how can the rest of the members below them function effectively. Vybz Kartel in my opinion is one of the best lyrically content singer and D.J i have ever listened to and if changes are not made in the usage of his behaviors, targeted guns, sex and expletive songs, fans will become tired of hearing the same old thing and thus he will lose his "reign". If ever Mr. Adija Palmer were to read this, i bet he will concur greatly with my points as i am not belittling his songs, "him" as the individual nor either the position he has entitled himself to at his Portmore Empire. Just make wise decisions and be careful of what you do with some girls, cause you may just never know.....

Sheree Simpson
3/29/2010

This boy is a disgrace to entertainment on a whole and should be imprisoned for all the nastiness he instilled on the nation's youths. Reggae artists like Bob Marley and Dennis Brown must be turning in their graves to see what these hurry come bway do to reggae music. I am 34 years old and I cannot relate to none of what they are saying. Am I really that old, or the music just deteriorate over night? Pretty soon they are going to die from hunger because every country will eventually ban them from taking their slackness there. SHAME ON THEM AND EVERYBODY WHO LISTEN TO SUCH NASTINESS.

Antonette W.
3/29/2010

I don't have anything to say about how this man chooses to behave in his bedroom. I'm also ambivalent about taking away a person's freedom of expression. However, I think this whole dance hall stuff has gotten out of control. I am glad that the Barbados officials banned the two performers. It's not a matter of banning entertainment. It is a matter of curtailing any violent outbursts that could result from the offensive and incendiary lyrics of the performer. If they cause so much trouble in Jamaica, why should any other country accept them? This should be a wake-up call for them to change their ways, not the other way around where a country has to change their policies to accommodate these slack Jamaican artistes, so dem can mash up di place. Dem too arrogant.

JAN WATTS
3/29/2010

C.Brown, i really dont think anyone cares what a person want to do in his/her bedroom. If Kartel and may others was to wait on me to buy their talking, (bc it not songs ) in order to eat they would a dead fi hungry long time. He really has no class from day one. i see nothing to him, now the j-can them can see for themself him love oral sex giving and taking.

Carlton Brown
3/29/2010

How many of us do the same thing in our homes? this has been happening for decades now. I really dont see the sense in this uproar. Ps have u listened to his songs he sings about getting it all the time so .... DUH!

anguish of being
3/29/2010

LOL this is the "intelligent" DJ the "intelligent" academics luv to talk about? LOL

l j
3/29/2010

This man is a Disgrace to dancehall music. No Wonder bounty said he will not allow him to turn Dancehall into a go-go club and i agree with that. How can a 34 year old man sing about taking girls virginity.. and sexing them in front of their parents some of the lyrics wow.

trevor harris
3/29/2010

Stories like this ought to left for porn magazines and similar publications. There are more pressing matters to report on than this garbage. I would like for the Observer to investigate things which our daily lives instead od rubbish of this sort.Come on Observer what about the Brady matter , the recent budget etc.

C. Brown
3/29/2010

Observer, wah dis? We don't need to know this, it can't help wi. By publishing this storey, ur giving Kartel more press than he deserve and adding to the foolishness..

josh davis
3/29/2010

lack of morals...lack of pride and lack of self respect..

JAN WATTS
3/29/2010

Porn star, no matter how a person hides the real them always come to light at some point and time in their life, it also goes to show to what level he/she will go to have their name in the spot light. PORN STAR.

Paul Lewis
3/29/2010

I can see why Jamaica is in the " hole ". Using scarce raw materials and time to devote space to this " luminary "is surely stupefying. Giving these clowns a spotlight, is only enhancing their agenda, which is self promotion. Let these idiots and their ilk, showcase the crap they consider to be talent on their own, do not contribute to it.

John Gotti
3/29/2010

KARTEL IS NOT GANGSTA, HE IS A PORNSTA.
THIS YOUTH IS A DISGRACE TO DANCEHALL. HE RETURNING IT INTO PORNHALL.

Hunter Hearst
3/29/2010

I don't know who is/are the bigger idiot(s): Kartel, his fans who follow him (to their own and the island's detriment), or the media (which continues to publicise this foolishness). Barbados has it right: keep him and entertainers like him out. It is damn foolishness like this that has led to increased crime here, in Barbados and elsewhere.

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Kartel: Deejay, gangsta, or porn star?