Vybz Kartel Turns 46: Birthday Tributes Pour In For The “Living Legend”
The Dancehall fraternity celebrates the earth strong of an icon today. The Worl’ Boss – Vybz Kartel turned 46 this Friday, January 7.
The King Of Dancehall, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer, embarked on a music career almost 30 years ago, and is now widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in the genre.
He’s been an instrumental force in the careers of many of the genre’s top local acts and naturally, some of these industry heads came out to show their respects and honor to the ‘Teacha’ on his special day, even though he remains incarcerated.
Kartel’s protégé, Popcaan was among the first to take to Instagram to toast his former mentor.
“Yk eeh guh G!! Respect caa run out👊🏾 more life to the legend. @vybzkartel from start to finish✊” he wrote.
Popcaan, who joined the Vybz Kartel-led Portmore Empire in 2008, got his big music break in 2010 with the release of Clarks, a collab with Kartel and Gaza Slim (now Vannessa Bling).
The 6ix Boss Squash also came in with his salutes, “More life and blessings me Bredda strength health and Wealth freedomstreet 👑,” he wrote on his IG share.
“The best always aspire to work with the best,” the Montego Bay-native had declared in a 2019 interview, later appearing with Kartel on hit tracks like Moon Walk, Beat Dem Bad, Skillful, Money We Love and several others.
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Spice’s tribute came late, but ordered timelines to stop and take notice.
“It’s a very very big day ‼️ Wish the King 👑 a happy birthday and drop a line from any song below #gazanation @vybzkartel I love you until the end of me #FreeWorldBoss Thank you for every meal you put on my Table , Happy Birthday mi G.”
The two have collaborated on Romping Shop in 2009, then Conjugal Visit in 2014, Back Way in 2019, Private Message, released last month.
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Other Dancehall celebs like Dexta Daps also took time out to ‘big up’ Kartel today.
“D gaad sey bestest 🐈 inna d worl yuh hear dat 🤣🤣🤣🤣 We know how ppl stay… Da post ya is not for views… It’s 4 the genuine respek for a musical genius that took dancehall to another level…,” the Call Me If singer wrote.
Adding that its not typical of him to make these types of posts but wanted to honor a “king” and “living legend.” – “Mi nuh gi man 🌹 s 🤣 but honor to u king… 🙌🏿 Blessed strong living legend🙏🏿 Di comet soon pull up oono f#ck…. @vybzkartel 👑 🙌🏿. Memba a u sey takes 1 to know 1🙏🏿#capricorngaad.”
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Bounty Killer, whose ‘The Alliance’ guided Vybz Kartel’s stardom in music, also made a shout out to the Fever deejay in a big way today. He shared a throw back photo of them both and wrote in the caption, “Earth strong blessings to di Gaza Don King AddiZilla @vybzkartel.”
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Also in another IG post, Bounty promoted a ‘Birthday Bash’ in honor of Kartel that will be held in the Bronx, New York tonight. “Today enuh unuh go celebrate the life legacy musical contribution and achievements of legend it go suh🥂🎉💫🍾. LADIES NU MISS IT.”
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While several other industry colleagues also made posts to celebrate Coloring This Life deejay, the day wouldn’t be complete without toasts from the GAZA first family.
Tanesha ‘Shorty’ Johnson, Kartel’s longtime partner posted throwback photos of them both and captioned one, “Hbd to the king of my heart ❤️💯🥰.”
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Kartel’s son Likkle Addi and Likkle Vybz also shared old photos and toasted their father.
“More life, More health and wealth. @vybzkartel #FreedomStreet2022”
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“More life more hits freedom street and blessings everyday🙏 #cometiscoming ☄️#worldbossday🎊 🍾”
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