Vybz Kartel is Done with Skin Bleaching: ‘I Would Never Bleach Again’

Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel made a triumphant return to the U.S. stage with two sold-out shows at the Barclays Center on April 11 and 12, marking his first American performances in over 20 years.

The “Worl Boss” celebrated his comeback with electrifying sets featuring special guests like Spice, Busta Rhymes, Ne-Yo, and Shensea, proving he remains the undisputed “King of Dancehall.”

But beyond the music, Kartel’s recent reflections on his past with skin bleaching have sparked widespread conversation.

In a candid interview on Hot 97’s Ebro In the Morning ahead of his New York shows, the 49-year-old artist opened up about his decision to abandon skin bleaching, a practice he was once known for alongside his chart-topping hits.

“I would never bleach again,” Kartel declared, now proudly “fully melanated.”

Reflecting on his past, he admitted that his bleaching was tied to deeper issues of self-love.

“In hindsight, I think it definitely had to do with self-love,” he said.

“But at the time, my mind was telling me, ‘I’m doing this to show my tattoos,’ blah blah blah.”

Kartel’s journey with skin bleaching has been controversial, particularly in the context of colorism within Black communities.

In 2022, he defended the practice by comparing it to Black women altering their hair, stating, “99.99% of Black women cream their hair or wear ‘Caucasian’ wigs… Black people, check yourself before you check someone else,” per Hot New Hip Hop.

However, three years later, Kartel’s perspective has evolved.

He now acknowledges the pervasive impact of colorism, linking it to historical influences like slavery and Eurocentric beauty standards.

“As Black people, we all have those issues [with] complexion-ism, colorism,” he noted.

“Sometimes, as a Black man, you have those issues.”

Kartel’s sold-out Brooklyn performances, in a city he called “Jamaica outside of Jamaica,” underscored his enduring influence after 13 years of incarceration in Jamaica.

Fans and critics alike are now celebrating not only his musical comeback but also his personal growth and willingness to confront tough topics.

As Kartel moves forward, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of identity, self-acceptance, and the ongoing fight against colorism in Black communities worldwide.