READ THIS: Vybz Kartel “Thank You Jah”

Buy Kartel’s Remarkable Book, The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto, At A 60% Discount For Black Friday

“I pray this book helps to change Jamaica forever,” writes Vybz Kartel on the cover of The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto. Like most everything else with Kartel, the publication of this book has been clouded with controversy. How could a dancehall artist who’s known for outrageous lyrics and who sits behind bars accused of murder publish a book criticizing society? How dare he include the subtitle “Incarcerated But Not Silenced” on said book? And is the man who advocated bleaching his skin really posing as Malcolm X on his book cover? While these questions may be understandable, they seem to have distracted many people from the old saying that “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” If folks would actually take the time to read Adidja Palmer and Michael Dawson’s work, they might realize that the authors have anticipated the questions, providing answers to these and many more. If you haven’t had a chance to read Kartel’s book until now, Black Friday is your lucky day. Visit the official book website today to order your copy at a 60% discount. During this time of Thanksgiving, we thought it appropriate to allow readers a chance to actually read Kartel’s words and judge for themselves. So we present to you the first three paragraphs of Chapter 1, “Thank You Jah.” Book Excerpt After The Jump…

“The Voice of The Jamaican Ghetto”

Written by Adidja Palmer aka Vybz Kartel
and Michael Dawson

Chapter 1: “Thank You Jah”

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain
—New International Version ((c)1984)

I start this book in the same way that I start each day of my life, with a Thank you Jah for giving me, Adjida Palmer, the inspiration to be Vybz Kartel. May the words on the pages of this book be well received. May it touch the hearts of the oppressors of my people so that they may treat the poor with compassion. May it be a tool that Society will utilize to understand ghetto livity so that they may change their impression of us and start treating ghetto people with respect whether they are helpers, gardeners, barmaids, drivers, or any marginalized person in Jamaica. May it reach the desks of the prison officials so that they may implement more humane and positive procedures in our jails, so that our people can be welcomed back into Society after they have done their time. May it be a reference point for Jamaican males that have never taken the time to understand what our mothers, baby mothers, sisters, and women in general, go through. Most of all, may it be a source of motivation for my people, especially the young ones, as they find their way through life in this lovely place, Xamaica — its original name before the genocidal Christopher Columbus came to plunder and destroy an entire Amerindian people under the guise of Christianity. It is with this hope that I have taken the time to write this book in between studio time and my role as a father. I ask that it is blessed. The hate from the haters is expected, but guess what, Kartel is sending you a blessing too because the Gaza nuh bad mind. Come on, I know you are going to read this, that’s okay with me. The only way we can have a better Jamaica is if we spend the time learning from each other.

“Thank you Jah” starts with the first two verses of Psalms 127: “Except the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Except the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” This Psalm was chosen because it is one of only two Psalms written by the great and wise King Solomon; the other one being Psalm 72 which deals with reverence and prophecy. We always hear that a chapter a day keeps the devil away and many people assume that this saying is referring to a chapter from the book of Psalms. That may be true but I don’t deal with the devil business so I choose to read a chapter from Proverbs daily. This brings up something I really cannot understand. If it is accepted by everyone that Solomon is the wisest man that ever lived, why does Babylon have us continuously singing Psalms while we could spend some of that time reading the book of wisdom sanctioned by Solomon—Proverbs? Incidentally, there are 31 Proverbs which will be an ideal daily word for each day of the month. Take if from Kartel, a Proverb a day keeps stupidity and idleness away. A Proverb a day makes one wise to the ways of the world.

Now, not everyone can be like Solomon, though the prospect of 700 wives sounds quite enticing to many Jamaican men due to our polygamous roots, but by studying Proverbs you wil at least have a different outlook on life and its challenges. I wrote “Thank You Jah” because, having been raised pon the Gaza, I understand the despair Jamaicans feel when they wake up each morning in a world of poverty, crime, and violence. With all this, it is easy to get discouraged but I want my people to know there are reasons to be thankful. Also there are strategies for making life better and things will get better if we apply ourselves and plan a way forward…

Visit VybzKartelBook.com today to order your copy (or up to 600 copies!) at a 60% discount. 

“Kartel insists that every house hold must have a copy! This book and its contents will bring families together. This book addresses all that has been hidden. Kartel guarantees once read that this book will re open your eyes to the truth and the truth that may have him locked away.

6 Responses

  1. danelle llewellyn says:

    Well I only read chapter one and am loving it.

  2. berl says:

    gaza forever…..pardon kartel, and release the man…..this is straight from Tema, Inna Ghana, WestAfrica <3 🙂

  3. shian says:

    The next martin luther king… kartel a d boss man. Wen all jamaicans read this book they will be drawn up back

  4. Trevor says:

    Vybz kartel may be the most controversial Jamaican artist but he is also the most intelligent and intellectual artist. Do the world a favour and free the boss. His name will be in history.

  5. I support you bro continue talking coorapted policemen to release your fellow jamaican

  6. jamu aka irungu jamlick says:

    the chapter a talk d truth,as a kenyan ghetto bwoy i relate to it.kartel a speak d truth not only fi jamaicans but fi every ghetto soldiers a road.big up kartel n long die d babylon

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