The Waterhouse born Adidja Palmer a.k.a. Vybz Kartel remembers being surrounded by music from an early age. This was due largely to his two uncles' interest in the art. His own calling to music did not go unanswered. He had been honing his skills for about 10 years before gaining considerable recognition and street 'cred' two years ago. "I was born into this," Kartel states." I have no interest in doing any thing else but music, ever since school days. I was never the 9-5 type, not a desk job person. I have the potential and capability but dat ain't me." Thankfully, his family has been very supportive of his career choice. His uncles were also musicians, and though, "They were nobody really famous, me a come change di pace," he declares.

Being expelled from Kingston's Calabar High School as a teen didn't deter Kartel from completing his studies at a tutorial college. "Education is key," says the deejay. His is reflected in his lyrics "When I write songs down, is no simple ABC, mother goose, go-go wining lyrics. Lyrics are well put together, I have to take time out to build my songs."

Perhaps most surprising is the support and respect that Kartel has already managed to garner from both artists and fans of dancehall music. His birthday bash, held recently at La Roose in his hometown, saw thousands of well-wishers coming out to celebrate Kartel's 24th birthday. Some of the industry's biggest names shared the stage in performances with the deejay while enjoying the festivities.

Some would say he has already upped the ante in the past years in the form of 2 collaborations with Bounty Killer, ("Girls like Mine" & "Gyal Clown") and in dominating the stage in several performances last year including Sting. "I love performing live" says Kartel. "People can always bootleg your records but from you can perform you'll always be in the fore front. Check Ninja Man. Him hardly do voice recording not even dub plates, but when it's show time him get prime time- more time him usually close the show. From me a likkle yute me a deejay in front a people so the more people I see is a joy to me. The adrenaline pump faster."

Ask anyone who knows what's going on in dancehall to tell you which young deejay is most capable of receiving the torch passed by a force like Bounty Killer, and the answer will undoubtedly be Vybz Kartel. Maybe it's his supreme lyrical skills, or his effortless command of the stage or his confidence which may be mistaken for hubris at times, that make many readily compare him to the industry's HNIC.

Whatever it is, the fact remains that in 2003 Vybz Kartel is poised for success. All he has to do is maintain. He must not fall short of hits like New Millennium (feat Marshall), Most High, or Sleep to the Belly, his recent show stopper now out on the Egyptian riddim. The truth is, he has set a precedent with his current catalogue and to lose momentum in today's industry will make the attention of bored audiences shift to the next act with a quickness.

"Save the music"
"Reggae is lacking proper promotion from larger recording companies. There is a wide spread lack of promotion in foreign markets. There are a lot of Jamaicans in the larger cities in America so the culture is there and other people willing fi learn 'bout it. You don't have to cross over- it isn't necessary. Sean Paul (Gimme the Light) don't have one ounce of cross over appeal. (That) is the wrong way to go about getting a deal. There is a thin line between representing or respecting a music and pirating it. Deejays sing over the raps line by line, waiting for the latest melody from BET or MTV. That is a felony and disrespect to the music. People want the real hardcore dancehall music, no watered down culture, whether or not it is raw, it has to be real. Production is the key. Jamaican music needs to be packaged better... producers claim to be more experienced so they need to do a better job."

"Rock mics from here to overseas"
So far Kartel has done several shows in the US, UK, the Caribbean, and Japan. "Japan is a 13 hour flight, half way around the world. When you see people in the crowd singing your songs it makes you proud. You feel patriotic."

"Slanguistics"
(Kartel's signature phrase) "Up to the time can be anything you want it to mean- a greeting, sign of approval- anything"

"When the east is in the house"
"I love east coast rap- more lyrical. That's all it boils down to- lyrics. It's like reading a book, opening up the people dem imagination. You haffi mek dem see actually see wah yuh a deejay. Dat mi did rate bout Biggie. I listen to a lot of hip-hop. Tupac, Biggie, Eminem- Eminem bad eeh? Styles, Jadakiss-deep inna rhyming."

"Brand New"
"I'm working an album for the summer with Don Corleone from Vendetta, the trendsetta. Mostly fresh, new tracks. A lot of albums are filled with played out singles. (Mine will have) crazy new tracks. The only (old tracks) will be Most High, New Millennium, and Big Man a Big Man, my personal favourites."

CHOOSE ONE

Cats/Dogs: Dogs
Godfather/Scarface: Scarface
Pacino/Deniro: Pacino of course
Osbournes/Sopranos: Sopranos
Bounty/Beenie: That answers itself
Cricket/Football: Most definitely football
Weed/Alcohol: Straight weed
CD/Vinyl: CD
Fame/Money: More Money
Life/Death/Life after death: Life over death
Music/Movies: Music definitely
India Arie/Halle Berry: Halle Berry. Big up India Arie, but definitely Halle Berry
Sneakers/ Shoes? Sneakers AND shoes- Nikes and Clarks