Vybz Kartel

Vybz Kartel — born Adidja Azim Palmer on January 7, 1976 in Kingston, Jamaica — is the undisputed king of dancehall music. Rising from Portmore, Kartel built an empire through Adidjahiem Records and the Gaza movement, mentoring Popcaan, Tommy Lee Sparta, and dozens of others. Despite serving a prison sentence from 2014, he released dozens of hit songs from behind bars before his 2024 release. His comeback — sold-out Barclays Center shows, Grammy nominations, and the MOBO Impact Award — confirmed his singular force in Jamaican music. Drake, Rihanna, and Travis Scott have all cited Kartel as a major influence. In November 2025, he launched the Adidja Palmer Foundation to provide Hurricane Melissa relief to Jamaican communities.