Dancehall icon Vybz Kartel is no stranger to controversy, but in a recent candid conversation with Ebro Darden on Hot97, the artist took a reflective turn, addressing a topic that has long sparked debate in the Caribbean and beyond—skin bleaching.
Known for his influence on Jamaican music and culture, Kartel admitted that his past decision to bleach his skin stemmed from deeper, internal struggles. “I mean, in hindsight, it definitely had to do with self-love,” he confessed during the interview. “But on the other hand, while I was doing it, my mind wasn’t telling me that. My mind was telling me, ‘I am doing this to show my tattoos.’ I’ve got a lot of tattoos.”
For years, the artist had publicly maintained that his choice was primarily aesthetic—meant to highlight his ink—but his recent reflections suggest a more complex truth. Kartel acknowledged that as a Black man, grappling with societal pressures and Eurocentric beauty standards likely influenced his decision.
“But looking back, it was just as a Black man, sometimes we have those issues,” he said. “But I would never bleach again though.”
When Ebro pressed further, asking what those “issues” entailed, Kartel pointed directly at the lasting impact of colonialism. “That Eurocentric look… Black people have always wanted to look like that,” he said. “I guess it has to do with slavery.”
Kartel’s remarks have ignited fresh discussions on the long-standing influence of European ideals on Black identity and self-image. For many fans, the artist’s honesty marks a powerful shift—not just in his personal narrative, but also in the broader dialogue surrounding beauty, race, and self-acceptance in Black communities.
Whether you agree with his past or present stance, one thing is clear: Vybz Kartel’s voice continues to be a powerful one, both in music and cultural commentary.
