Born as Adidja Azim Palmer, Vybz Kartel has emerged as one of the most influential artists in the music industry, not only within the dancehall genre but across various musical styles.
While his recent legal troubles have garnered attention, it is important to recognize the immense impact he has had on the culture and music of Kenya, particularly among the ghetto youths.
In the early 1990s, reggae music started gaining popularity in Kenya, but it was Vybz Kartel who deepened the roots of the genre in the country.
By incorporating melody, dancehall rap, and alternating various sounds and adlibs, Vybz Kartel over the years has proved to be an ear magnet among Kenyan ghetto youths.
His influences in Kenya are highly felt in the ghettos since he was also from a similar setting. His achievements regardless of where he came from inspired many young boys and girls to try a stroke of luck in the dancehall genre.
Many dancehall artists both gospel and secular got inspiration from Vybz Kartel.
Almost every ghetto in Kenya from Kayole, Mathare, Kibera, Kangemi, Githurai, Kawangware, and even parts of Mombasa, has a place called Gaza, a chill spot, these mostly are places where unemployed youth sit for hours either listening to music or using drugs.
Gaza is closely related to Vybez, It’s a name to describe an area of Portmore, Jamaica that used to be referred to as ‘Borderline’. They chose the name Gaza to symbolize the gun violence that happens there. This name change happened around one of the many times that the Israeli military bombed the hell out of Gaza, Palestine.
So, Vybz chose to use ‘Gaza’ as shorthand for a violent area. There’s no actual relation to Palestine. There’s also an area of Buxton, Guyana referred to as Gaza for, Same reasons. The Slang expression was originally used to describe a southern city in Jamaica called Portmore (the hometown of Jamaican DJ Vybz Kartel).
Nowadays is used to refer to a crew/movement started by Vybz Kartel which featured popular Jamaican entertainers such as Popcaan Tommy Lee and Gaza Slim.
Almost every criminal group that has been brought down in Nairobi referred to themselves as Gaza, and Vybz Kartel was revered as their godfather,.
There is no doubt that Vybz Kartel's lyrics have played a great influence on the criminal mindset among ghetto youth in Kenya especially those struggling with unemployment and lack of education
On the other hand, Kenyan music especially Gengetone which is a genre that originates from ghettos of Kenya has a large influence from Jamaican dancehall music even the slang in these ghettos is directly lifted from Jamaica, words like wolan, shatta, wagwan, pikni, wheel it is often used in the Kenya ghetto set up.
Gengetone music has a lot of Vybz Kartel’s DNA in terms of sound and delivery with some artists directly lifting Vybz Kartel adlibs and lyrics to incorporate them in their music, the likes of Unco jing jong with the track 'Waanjapi', this track not only took Vybz Kartel’s instrumentals from his track 'Clarks' featuring Popcaan but was also loaded with a bunch of Vybz Kartel’s adlibs.
Despite the challenges faced by Vybz Kartel, his legacy in Kenya's dancehall scene remains powerful. From inspiring aspiring artists to shaping the sound and language of local music, his influence is undeniable.
As we navigate the complexities surrounding his recent circumstances, it is crucial to acknowledge the cultural and musical contributions Vybz Kartel has made, particularly in connecting with the ghetto youths of Kenya.
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