Coordinates	38°53′51.61″N77°2′11.58″N
name	Paul Marcus
birth name	Paul Coryn Valentine Marcus
birth date	May 30, 1954
birth place	London, England
death date	February 13, 2011
death place	London, England
occupation	television director
spouse	Viviana Maranzano (1987 - 2011) }}

Paul Coryn Valentine Marcus (30 May 1954 – 13 February 2011) was a British television director and producer. His most notable success was as producer of the television series ''Prime Suspect'', but he also worked in cinema, theatre and many other TV series.

Early life

Marcus was born in London in 1954, the son of playwright Frank Marcus, a German-born Jew who fled to Britain in 1939 and the actress Jacqueline Sylvester. He was educated at Latymer Upper School and Lincoln College, Oxford.

Credits

His credits include the following --

After Alice (1999)

Heidi (2005 live-action film)

Notes

External links

Obituary in ''The Independent''

Category:1954 births Category:2011 deaths Category:British television directors Category:British television producers Category:Cancer deaths in England Category:Old Latymerians Category:Alumni of Lincoln College, Oxford

Coordinates	38°53′51.61″N77°2′11.58″N
name	Paul Wall
background	solo_singer
birth name	Paul Michael Slayton
born	March 11, 1981
Origin	Houston, Texas, United States
genre	Hip hopSouthern hip hopRap rock
occupation	RapperDJPromoterJeweller
years active	1998–present
label	Swishahouse/Asylum
associated acts	Michael "5000" Watts, Expensive Taste, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, The Color Changin' Click, Trae, Bun B, Z-RO
website	paulwallbaby.com, grillsbypaulwall.com
notable instruments	}}

Paul Michael Slayton (born March 11, 1981), better known by his stage name Paul Wall, is an American rapper. He is currently affiliated with Swishahouse Records, having released several albums under the label as well as collaborating with other rappers signed to the label. He was formerly musical partners with rapper Chamillionaire releasing several collaborative albums including the independently released ''Get Ya Mind Correct''. In 2005, he was signed to Atlantic Records and became successful with his major-label debut ''The Peoples Champ''. ''Get Money, Stay True'' followed in 2007.

Career

Wall attended Jersey Village High School and studied mass communications at the University of Houston for three years. After proposing to do promotions for Michael "5000" Watts' company, Swishahouse, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall came to Watts' studio, KBXX. Paul & Chamillionaire convinced Watts to let them rap on his radio show and put the verses on one of his mixtapes. That mixtape was titled ''Choppin Em Up Part 2'', which was released in mid 1999. The freestyle became so popular in the streets that Chamillionaire and Paul Wall became regular staples on Houston's mixtape circuit, appeared on several of Watts' mixtapes and became permanent members of Swishahouse.

After fellow member Slim Thug left the label, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall followed suit and the two started their own group known as ''The Color Changin' Click'' (named after Chamillion's Chameleon persona). Each successive mixtape released by The Color Changin' Click led to more business opportunities; the most notable of which was a contract to do a full album for Paid in Full Records. A one album contract was then negotiated between the Color Changin' Click and Paid in Full's label head, DJ Madd Hatta from 97.9 The Box, and the CCC's first album, ''Get Ya Mind Correct'', would go on to sell over 200,000 copies. Wall's first music exposure came as a street team member on the Northwest side of Houston, promoting southern labels like Def Jam Records, Cash Money and No Limit Records. He is also an accomplished and proficient mixtape and party DJ, known for producing mixtapes in the now well-known screwed & chopped style, which was invented by the late DJ Screw.

Paul Wall and Chamillionaire were originally affiliated with Swishahouse Records, but left for Paid in Full Records a short time later. After several mixtape and independent releases including. ''Get Ya Mind Correct'', the two parted ways, citing creative differences. Chamillionaire continued to release independent records, while Paul Wall returned to the Swishahouse fold. This move allowed him to appear on Mike Jones' first commercially distributed single, "Still Tippin'", from his first major label album ''Who Is Mike Jones?''. The single is originally on Swishahouse's The Day Hell Broke Loose Part 2 aka Major Without A Major Deal, released in 2003, the album went on to sell over 500,000 copies two months after being released.

In 2005, Paul Wall released his first album, ''The Peoples Champ'', which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The first single "Sittin' Sidewayz" featuring Big Pokey. The second single, "They Don't Know", featured Bun B of UGK, and the video version also featured Mike Jones. The third single is "Girl", receiving radio airplay and peaking at #35 onl the Billboard Hot 100. In 2007, Paul Wall released his second album ''Get Money, Stay True'', which debuted in the #1 spot on the Billboard Chart Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums. Paul Wall released the singles "Break 'Em Off" featuring Lil Keke and "I'm Throwed" featuring and produced by Jermaine Dupri.

In 2007, Paul Wall appeared alongside other celebrities and regular people in the music video for Rockstar by Nickelback. He also appears on Bermuda-based reggae artist Collie Buddz self-titled debut album.

Paul Wall is currently a member of the rap group Expensive Taste, with his good friends Travis Barker and Skinhead Rob (Transplants). The trio also collectively owns a line.

In the spring of 2008, Paul Wall joined Strange Music recording artist Tech N9ne on a nationwide tour, which also featured Brooklyn rapper ILL BiLL.

In the 2008 presidential campaign, Paul Wall spoke out in favor of candidate Barack Obama. He was quoted in The Source magazine as saying "Barack seems to come off as a true leader for everyone, whereas most people campaigning, including Hillary Clinton, seem to be just politicians. Barack seems to be genuine and sincere about his beliefs. He is selfless, while they are selfish. I'm gonna 'Barack the vote' this year and I've never voted before."

Paul Wall appears as fictional rapper Grillionaire in the movie ''I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell'', released on September 25, 2009. He, along with screenwriters Nils Parker and Tucker Max, co-wrote tracks for the movie.

In 2010, Paul Wall featured on the 'Przyjazn, Duma, Godnosc' (eng. 'Friendship, Pride and Dignity') album by a highly rated Polish rap artist Kaczor.

In February 2011, Paul appeared on an episode of ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' along with rapper Yelawolf and singer Christina Milian.

Personal life

Paul Wall married girlfriend Crystal in 2005 Their son William Patrick Slayton was born April 18, 2006.

During a concert in San Antonio Paul Wall hit a fan with a microphone. The fan was flicking his middle finger at Paul Wall. Paul Wall apologized to not only the victim but to all his San Antonio fans.

In 2010, Paul Wall went on an extreme diet and had gastric sleeve surgery, resulting in an over 100 lb. weight loss.

In February 2011, Paul Wall and his wife Crystal unveiled a Bonnie & Clyde 40's themed photo shoot, which revealed Paul's slimmer, trimmer physique.

Discography

2004: ''Chick Magnet''

2005: ''The Peoples Champ''

2007: ''Get Money, Stay True''

2009: ''Fast Life''

2010: ''Heart of a Champion''

Awards and nominations

Year !! Award/Nomination
rowspan="3"	2006	Ozone Magazine>Ozone Awards Won in the categories of Taste Maker (style and trendsetter)
Ozone Awards Won for Best Rap/R&B; Collaboration (for "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper) (Remix)" by T-Pain featuring Twista, Pimp C, Paul Wall, R. Kelly, MJG, and Too Short)
	2007

Acting career

During his break from rapping, Paul Wall had an appearance in ''Furnace'' with Ja Rule. He appeared in the 2009 movie ''I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell'' along with Jesse Bradford and Matt Czuchry. He is currently working on the movie ''Xtinction''.

Filmography

{|class="wikitable" |- !Year !Title !Role |- ||2006 |''Furnace'' |Joey Robbins |- ||2009 |''I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell'' |Grillionaire |-

References

External links

Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:American rappers Category:American musicians of European descent Category:Asylum Records artists Category:Jersey Village High School alumni Category:Rappers from Houston, Texas Category:University of Houston alumni

da:Paul Wall de:Paul Wall es:Paul Wall fr:Paul Wall it:Paul Wall nl:Paul Wall pl:Paul Wall pt:Paul Wall sk:Paul Wall fi:Paul Wall sv:Paul Wall

Coordinates	38°53′51.61″N77°2′11.58″N
name	Baby Bash
background	solo_singer
birth name	Ronnie Ray Bryant
born	Vallejo, California
origin	Houston, Texas, United States
instrument	Vocals
genre	Latino, Hip Hop, Pop Rap, R&B;
occupation	Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Performer
Years active	1996-present (singing) 2002-present (acting)
label	Dope House, Universal, RCA, J, Arista, Bashtown Music Group
associated acts	Frankie J, South Park Mexican, Akon, Lucky Luciano, T-Pain
website	}}

Ronnie Rey Bryant (born 1975), better known by his stage name Baby Bash (formerly Baby Beesh), is a Mexican-American rapper. From 1995 to 1998, he performed under the stage name ''Baby Beesh'', as part of the Vallejo, California group Potna Duece, after which he changed the last part of the name to ''Bash''. His first album was "On Tha Cool", with one of his greatest hits, "Vamanos"... His next album "The Smokin' Nephew" which included the singles "Suga Suga" and "Shorty Doowop". In 2005, ''Super Saucy'' was released, its lead single being "Baby I'm Back", a collaboration with singer Akon. ''Cyclone'' followed in 2007, with its title single featuring T-Pain and its follow-up, "What Is It" featuring Sean Kingston, landing on the ''Billboard'' charts as well.

He has frequently contributed to other performers' works, including a spot in the song "Obsession (No Es Amor)" by 3rd Wish released in Europe and later a U.S release with a copy / re- recording of the European version, performed by Frankie J in 2005 and "Doing Too Much" by Paula DeAnda in 2006.

Early life

Ronnie Rey Bryant was born to a Mexican American mother and English American father; Bryant's father became a heroin and crack cocaine addict. Bryant was raised by his grandmother, and Bryant's uncles exposed him to many different types of musical genres. Initially, Bryant wanted to be a professional basketball player. He planned to play basketball for the junior college he attended in California during the mid-'90s. After tearing his ankle several times and not having it repaired with surgery, he permanently ended the possibility of ever playing basketball at even a semi-professional level.

Career

Baby Bash's career began as part of the group Potna Duece in Vallejo, California. He went to Houston in 2000, where he met fellow rapper South Park Mexican. Prior to his success as a solo artist he, under the name "Baby Beesh", was part of rap groups Potna Deuce and Latino Velvet. Bash's debut album entitled ''Savage Dreams'' was released on the independent label Dope House Records in 2001. The acclaim he received soon caught the attention of Universal Records, who signed him later that year. In 2003, Baby Bash released his first album on a major label, ''Tha Smokin' Nephew'', and ''Super Saucy'' in 2005. He recently was featured in Paula DeAnda's first single "Doin' Too Much" from her debut album ''Paula DeAnda''. He has collaborated with numerous other artists during his career, such as West Coast rappers B-Legit, C-Bo, Coolio- Da'unda'dogg, E-40 and Mac Dre, R&B; singers like Akon, Avant, Natalie, Mario, and Nate Dogg, and other Latino rappers such as Fat Joe, Nino Brown, Doll-E Girl, Frost, and Pitbull. He continues to write lyrics for singers such as Paula DeAnda, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson and Frankie J.

His third studio album, ''Cyclone'' (initially titled ''Ronnie Rey All Day''), was released in late October 2007. So far, Baby Bash has released three singles off the album: "Mamacita" featuring Marcos Hernandez, "Na Na (The Yummy Song)", and "Cyclone" featuring Mickaël & T-Pain. The month of the album release, Baby Bash became Myspace's #1 Latin artist, and the single Cyclone had over 750,000 digital and ringtone sales prior to the album's release.

Baby Bash completed a film entitled ''Primos'' starring Chingo Bling and Danny Trejo. The comedy involves three cousins working in a bakery with dreams of making money, and is slated for a 2010 release. His major-label debut ''Tha Smokin' Nephew'' was well-received by Allmusic, but his 2007 album ''Cyclone'' was given mixed reviews, for example being panned by ''Rolling Stone'' magazine.

In December 2010, Baby Bash was offered a job as on-air personality for Wild 94.9, a Rhythmic Contemporary commercial radio station in San Francisco, California. In the same month, it was announced that Bash was endorsing a new energy drink for women named after his 2011 album's single, "Go Girl." Part of the sales proceeds from the energy drink will be donated to various charities for breast cancer and ovarian cancer research for women. His latest album ''Bashtown'' was released on March 22, 2011, and features guest appearances by Lloyd and E-40.

Discography

2001: ''Savage Dreams''

2002: ''On tha Cool''

2003: ''Tha Smokin' Nephew''

2004: ''Menage a Trois''

2005: ''Super Saucy''

2007: ''Cyclone''

2011: ''Bashtown

2012: ''Weedsmoke

References

External links

Category:1975 births Category:Date of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:American musicians of English descent Category:American rappers of Mexican descent Category:Electro-hop musicians Category:Hip hop singers Category:People from Vallejo, California Category:Rappers from Houston, Texas Category:Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area Category:RCA Records artists Category:Universal Records artists Category:Hispanic and Latino American rappers Category:Hispanic and Latino American people

de:Baby Bash es:Baby Bash fr:Baby Bash it:Baby Bash he:בייבי באש no:Baby Bash pl:Baby Bash pt:Baby Bash fi:Baby Bash sv:Baby Bash tr:Baby Bash

Coordinates	38°53′51.61″N77°2′11.58″N
Name	Sean Paul
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques
Born	January 09, 1973 Kingston, Jamaica
Genre	Dancehall, Reggae, R&B;
Occupation	Musician, Actor, Songwriter, Producer
Years active	1998–present
Associated acts	Dutty Cup Crew, Mr. Vegas, Jay Sean, Beyonce, Ziggy Marley
Label	VP/Atlantic Records
Website	}}

Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques (born January 9, 1973), who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer from Dutty Cup Crew.

Life and career

1973–1996: Early life

Sean Paul was born in Kingston and spent his early years in Upper Saint Andrew Parish, a few miles north of Kingston. His parents, Garth and Frances, were both talented athletes, and his mother is a well-known painter. His paternal grandfather was a Sephardic Jew whose family emigrated from Portugal, and his paternal grandmother was Afro-Caribbean; his mother is of English and Chinese Jamaican descent. Sean Paul was raised as a Catholic. Many members of his family are swimmers. His grandfather was on the first Jamaican men's national water polo team. His father also played water polo for the team in the 1960s, and competed in long-distance swimming, while Sean Paul's mother was a backstroke swimmer. Sean Paul played for the national water polo team from the age of thirteen to twenty-one, when he gave up the sport in order to launch his musical career. He attended the Wolmers High School for Boys, Hillel Academy High School, and the College of Arts, Science, and Technology, now known as the University of Technology, where he was trained in commerce with a view to pursuing an occupation in hotel management.

1998–2004: ''Stage One'' and ''Dutty Rock''

left|thumb|Sean Paul in September 2005. He made a quick cameo appearance in the 1998 film ''Belly'' on stage performing. He made a very successful collaboration with DMX & Mr. Vegas (Top Shotter) as a soundtrack of the film. In 2000, Sean Paul released his debut album, ''Stage One'' with VP Records. In 2002, he began working extensively with a team of producers and choreographers from Toronto, namely Jae Blaze and Blaze Entertainment and announced the release of his second album, ''Dutty Rock''. Pushed by the success of the singles "Gimme the Light" and the Billboard Hot 100 topper, "Get Busy", the album was a worldwide success, eventually selling over six million copies. Simultaneously, Sean Paul was heard on Beyoncé's U.S. #1 single "Baby Boy" and Blu Cantrell's "Breathe", a chart hit in Europe. Both helped to push his reputation further still in the United States.

He appeared on ''Punk'd'', ''106 & Park'', ''Sean Paul Respect'', ''Making the Video'' ("Get Busy", "Gimme the Light", and "Like Glue") and his music videos have been broadcast on MTV and BET. Paul's biggest hits included "Get Busy", "Like Glue", "Gimme the Light", "Baby Boy", and "I'm Still in Love with You".

2005–2008: ''The Trinity''

Sean Paul's third album ''The Trinity'' was released in on September 27, 2005. The album produced five big hits, "We Be Burnin'", "Ever Blazin'", "Give It Up to Me", "Never Gonna Be The Same" and the U.S. chart-topping smash hit "Temperature".

The video of "(When You Gonna) Give It up to Me" (featuring Keyshia Cole) was also featured in the movie ''Step Up'' in 2006.

He was nominated for four awards at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, including male artist of the year, rap artist of the year, hot 100 single of the year, and pop single of the year for his hit "Temperature". He also won an American Music Award for "(When You Gonna) Give It Up To Me" beating Kanye West and Nick Lachey who were also nominated for the award.

His song "Send It On" from "The Trinity" featured on the 2005 Vauxhall Corsa advert. Sean Paul often contributes his songs to various ''Riddim Driven'' albums (by VP Records). In March 2007, he returned to his native Jamaica to perform at the Cricket World Cup 2007 opening ceremony.

Sean Paul appears on the game Def Jam: Fight for NY as part of Snoop Dogg's crew and again in the game's sequel, Def Jam Icon.

2009: ''Imperial Blaze''

The newest Sean Paul album entitled "Imperial Blaze" was released on August 18, 2009. The lead single, “So Fine”, which was produced by Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, premiered on Sean Paul's official website on April 26, 2009.

Speaking to Pete Lewis of 'Blues & Soul' magazine in August 2009, Sean Paul stated that 'Imperial Blaze' "Actually signifies 'The King's Fire'. It's that thing inside of you that gives you the desire to do whatever you do, and be the best in the world at it."

The new album consists of 20 tracks including "So Fine", "Press it Up", "She Want Me", "Private Party" which are party tracks and also love songs such as "Hold My Hand" (feat Keri Hilson), "Lately", "Now That I've Got Your Love" among others. Producers on the album include Don Corleone, Jeremy Harding, and Sean's brother Jason 'Jigzagula' Henriques. All the full songs of the album have been added to Sean Paul's Myspace page on the day of release of the album.

Up until now there have been eight music videos: "Always On My Mind (with Da'Ville)", "Give It To You (with Eve)", "Watch Them Roll", "Back It Up" (with Left Side/Mr. Evil), "(I Wanna See You) Push It Baby" (with Pretty Ricky), "Hit 'Em" (with Fahrenheit and his brother Jason "Jigzagula" Henriques), "Come Over" with Estelle, and also the video of his first single, "So Fine" from the new album.

He has recently been featured in Shaggy's video, "Save A Life", which also includes appearances from Elephant Man and Da'Ville, among others. In an effort to raise money for a children's hospital, Shaggy, Sean Paul and others will be having a benefit concert. All proceeds will go towards getting new equipment and technology 'For Aid to the Bustamante Hospital for Children'. In an interview in 2009 he says he is planning to release a new album in 2011.

During the premiere for MNET's Big Brother Africa 5: All-Stars on July 18, 2010, he performed his songs "Temperature", "Hold My Hand", and "So Fine". Sean Paul made a show in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

(2011- present): New studio album

Sean Paul is currently in the studio making his fifth coming album due for release at the end of 2011. The first song, " Got 2 Luv U" (featuring Alexis Jordan) was released for purchase on the 26th of June.

Discography

''Stage One'' (2000)

''Dutty Rock'' (2002)

''The Trinity'' (2005)

''Imperial Blaze'' (2009)

''Upcoming Fifth Studio Album'' (2011)

Filmography

;Films

1998

Year !! Title !! Role
	|	Belly (film)>Belly''	Himself

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards

*2006, Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist (winner)

*2003, Favorite Hip-Hop/Rap Male Artist (nominated)

*2003, Favorite Hip-Hop/Rap Album ''Dutty Rock'' (nominated)

BET Awards

*2003, Best New Artist (Nominated)

MTV Romania Music Awards

*2007, Best International Artist (winner)

Grammy Awards

*2010, Best Reggae Album: ''Imperial Blaze'' (nominated)

*2006, Best Reggae Album: ''The Trinity'' (nominated)

*2004, Best New Artist: (nominated)

*2004, Best Reggae Album: ''Dutty Rock'' (winner)

*2004, Best Male Rap Solo Performance: "Get Busy" (nominated)

MOBO Awards

*2009, Best Reggae Act (Winner)

*2006, Best Reggae Act (Winner)

*2005, Best Reggae Act (Nominated)

MTV Video Music Awards

*2006, Best Dance Video "Temperature" (nominated)

*2003, Best Dance Video "Get Busy" (nominated)

*2003, Best New Artist "Get Busy" (nominated)

Soul Train Awards

*2009, Best Reggae Artist (Winner)

*2007, Best Dance Cut "When You Gonna (Give It Up to Me)" (nominated)

References

External links

Official website

Category:1973 births Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Dancehall musicians Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Jamaican Roman Catholics Category:Jamaican male singers Category:Jamaican people of Chinese descent Category:Jamaican reggae singers Category:Living people Category:People from Kingston, Jamaica Category:Jamaican people of English descent Category:Reggae fusion artists

ar:شون بول bg:Шон Пол da:Sean Paul de:Sean Paul es:Sean Paul eo:Sean Paul fa:شان پال fr:Sean Paul hi:शॉन पॉल is:Sean Paul it:Sean Paul he:שון פול kn:ಸೀನ್ ಪಾಲ್ ka:შონ პოლი ht:Sean Paul lv:Šons Pols hu:Sean Paul nl:Sean Paul ja:ショーン・ポール no:Sean Paul pl:Sean Paul pt:Sean Paul ro:Sean Paul ru:Шон Пол simple:Sean Paul sr:Šon Pol fi:Sean Paul sv:Sean Paul th:ฌอน พอล tr:Sean Paul zh:尚恩·保罗

Coordinates	38°53′51.61″N77°2′11.58″N
Name	Vybz Kartel
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Adidja Palmer
Alias	Addi Di Teacha, Gaza Emperor, World Boss
Born	January 07, 1976Kingston, Jamaica
Origin	Portmore, Jamaica
Genre	ReggaeDancehallReggae fusion
Occupation	Deejay, Songwriter, Entrepreneur, Lyricist, Producer
Years active	2000–present
Label	Adidjaheim Records, NotNice Production
Associated acts	Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Aidonia Elephant Man, Ninjaman, Alliance, Portmore Empire, Major Lazer & Popcaan, Kano, Vanessa Bling
Website	Vybz Kartel's MySpace

Adidja Palmer (born January 7, 1976), better known as Vybz Kartel, is a Jamaican dancehall artist, songwriter and businessman. He has many nicknames, including Addi the Teacher and Gaza Emperor.

Biography

Adidja Palmer (Addi Teacha) began his career as a teenager in 1993, with his first recording "Love Fat Woman", his first single, released on Alvin Reid's label "One Heart", using the moniker "Adi Banton", a homage to Buju Banton. Palmer was later part of the three-member group "Vybez Cartel", keeping the slightly altered name after group split up, and became a protege of Bounty Killer, for whom he claims to have written nearly 30 songs, including "Gal Clown".

Vybz Kartel rose to prominence in 2003 after a string of hits in Jamaica. The year culminated in a pre-planned on-stage clash with Ninjaman at the annual dancehall festival Sting in Kartel's hometown of Portmore. The clash turned violent when Kartel's crewmembers, as well as Kartel himself, threw punches and assaulted Ninjaman onstage. While Kartel's manager initially blamed Ninjaman for the fracas, Kartel himself quickly apologised to Ninjaman and Sting organizers for the fracas. Four days after the incident, the two artists appeared before the press to announce a settlement of their differences and to end any animosity.

He established his own label Adidjahiem/Notnice Records with his business partner and producer Ainsley "Notnice" Morris. In 2010, he released his album ''Pon Di Gaza 2.0'' on Adidjahiem/Notnice Records in collaboration with Tads Record Inc. In Spring 2011, Kartel is scheduled to release a still-unnamed album with Brooklyn Hip Hop/Electro producer Dre Skull.

Kartel has worked on collaborations and remixes with Hip Hop and R&B; musicians Jay-Z, Rihanna, Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, M.I.A, Pharrell, Kardinal Offishal, Akon, Jim Jones and Eminem.

In 2009 he had two international hits with “Ramping Shop” debuting on the Billboard Top 100 Singles charts, and “Dollar Sign” being in regular rotation on urban radio stations in the US. His 2010 single "Clarks" was one of his biggest international successes, remaining in the top 3 Reggae Singles gaining the most radio plays in North America for 40 weeks. "Clarks" was also featured on the TV series ''So You Think You Can Dance Canada'', and on a CNN segment on Dancehall dance. MTV's ''Vice Guide to Dancehall'' featured Kartel at his weekly dance party, Street Vybz Thursday.

After splitting with Bounty Killer-led Alliance in 2006, Kartel founded the Portmore Empire, a group of Dancehall deejays and singers from his Portmore neighborhood that he signed to his newly founded Adidjahiem/Notnice Records. Current members of the group are: Popcaan, Shawn Storm, Sheba, Indu, Tommy Lee, Singing Maxwell, Singa Blinga, Lenny Mattic. Former members include Lisa Hype, Gaza Kim, Black Ryno, Jah Vinci, Deejay Spice, Doza Medicine and Merital.

Feud with Mavado

Towards the end of 2006, Vybz Kartel left the Alliance. Tensions arose following Kartel's continued association with Bounty Killer's longtime enemy, Beenie Man, including Kartel attending Beenie Man's wedding to Bounty Killer's ex-girlfriend, D'Angel. Vybz Kartel cited his departure as being due to his desire to be a more independent artist. It was reported that Vybz and Bounty Killer performed together ahead of the annual Sting show. Due to Kartel's defection from the Alliance and his 'parring' (fraternising) with Beenie Man, a series of songs and counteraction songs ensued - the main proponents being Kartel and Mavado.

A very public feud between Vybz Kartel and former collaborator Mavado arose towards the end of 2006, stemming from Vybz' much publicized departure from the dancehall conglomerate group, The Alliance. The feud resulted in numerous diss-tracks released, in which each artist dissed the other and their associates over popular dancehall rhythms. In a police-overseen press conference in March 2007, both Mavado and Vybz Kartel publicly announced an end to hostilities and apologized to fans.

However, by the summer of 2008, tensions flared with a renewal of "diss tracks" from each artist, and a lyrical clash between the two at Sting 2008 left mixed views as to the "winner". Most of 2009 saw a continuation of the public feud, which dominated Jamaican media and, to a certain extent, Jamaican culture, with the two artists' factions, ''Gaza'' (Kartel) and ''Gully'' (Mavado), being adopted by Jamaican youth, in some cases leading to street violence.

On December 8, 2009, Kartel and Mavado met with Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding in an attempt to end the feud, which had by that time fueled mob attacks in some of the inner-city neighborhoods of Kingston. The two had performed together on-stage the previous night in a sign of goodwill at the West Kingston Jamboree, a concert promoted by area leader Christopher "Dudus" Coke. After the truce in December 2009, the two artists were scheduled to perform a unity concert March 2010 in Barbados, which was later cancelled by the prime minister of that country.

Business

In 2008, Vybz Kartel launched his own liquor line Street Vybz Rum. He hosts a weekly dance party Street Vybz Thursday, at the Building, Kingston nightclub he manages with Street Vybz Rum business partner Corey Todd. The rum is officially distributed by Vybz Distillers Limited. The same year, he also released his own condom line, Daggering Condoms. Kartel's goal for 2011 is to release his own shoe line named Addi's, as well as his own line of "cake soap".

When his singles "Clarks", "Clarks 2 (Clarks Again)" and "Clarks 3 (Wear Weh Yuh Have)" featured the British shoe brand Clarks in 2010, its sales numbers and prices in Jamaica increased considerably.

Controversy

Kartel has come under controversy over perceived skin whitening, or "bleaching", leading him to claim to the use of "cake soap" to lighten his skin. The Blue Power Group, Jamaican manufacturer of the popular cake soap (or "blue soap") has refuted claims it changes skin colour. Kartel then stated the soap used to lighten his skin was his own brand, which he intends to release on the local market.

Awards

Kartel has had several collaborations with international hip hop and pop stars. He has released two albums for the UK/US based label Greensleeves Records. He was also nominated for the Source, VIBE and UK MOBO awards, although his 2004 UK MOBO award nomination was withdrawn amidst controversy over allegedly homophobic content of his lyrics.

2003

* Stone Love's 30th Anniversary

** DJ of the Year

2008

* CUMA (Caribbean Urban Music Awards)

2009

EME Awards

** Male DJ of the Year

** Lyricist/Songwriter of the Year

** Song of the Year (Romping Shop ft. Spice)

2010

EME Awards

** Male DJ of the Year

** Lyricist/Songwriter of the Year

** Recording Artist of the Year

WBLS Caribbean Artiste of the Year

Nominated by the MOBO Awards and Soul Train Awards for Reggae Artist of the Year.

References

External links

The Kartel Business - A look at Vybz Kartel as an Entrepreneur

Vybz Kartel, one of the baddest DJs

Vibes Kartel| Vybz Kartel| Fastest Growing Dancehall Artist in the Caribbean

Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:People from Kingston, Jamaica Category:Dancehall musicians Category:Reggae fusion artists Category:Jamaican reggae musicians

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