Vybz Kartel tells the truth about skin bleaching




Vybz Kartel

 
  Almost once a month I try to bring some attention to some music that you may not be familiar with. During my weekly tracking I come across many artists worthy of press promotion. Well, this week I've decided to bring you up to speed about what the rest of the world has already known for some time now- the music of Vybz Kartel. Vybz Kartel is the reigning king of Reggae Dance-hall music. For those that don't know Dance-hall music is Jamaica's equivalent to what rap is to America. To put it bluntly Vybz Kartel is Jamaica's 2PAC, Jay Z or Lil Wayne. That's right; this artist has pretty much generated the same interest that the before mentioned acts has, in-regards to Jamaica.
         Kartel stepped into the game as a member of Bounty Killer's ( one of Dance-hall most popular DJs) crew. Kartel made a name for himself with his standout voice and delivery and controversial music. Controversy would become synonymous with Kartel as he broke away from Bounty Killer's crew. A war between the two would in-sued. Then a beef with another up and coming artist named Mavado officially put both artists at the top of the game. The beef was just as big as Jay Z and Nas's beef and in the end Kartel would become the king of the music and streets. Now a household name around the world Kartel's persona towers over the Dance-hall scene with mythological proportions. Case and point Kartel has been rumored to bleaching his skin. Now when I first heard this I was shocked. Why would somebody so gangsta do such a thing! So I hit the Internet to see what was the deal and to my surprise everybody was blogging and talking about it. From he wasn't proud of his race and skin tone to he sold his soul to the devil-everything was being said about him. Before I continue to talk about the skin bleaching controversy I have to talk about his music.



Vybz Kartel

    Vybz Kartel musical grind can be compared to 2 PAC or even Lil Wayne. He hits the studio everyday completing 1 to 3 songs, now that's incredible. What's even more crazy is he's committed to filming 1 music video a day. He said he gets his work ethic from his father. Now one of my favorite songs by him is titled Rumping Shop featuring female artist Spice. The production is ripped from Ne-Yo's hit Miss- Independent. On the song the two spit lyrics back and forth about hot sexual deeds that one would do to another. The subject matter makes this song a huge cross-over. Another song is titled Love Dem. The song has a trendy Dance-hall vibe and he uses the vibe to express how much he love and can't keep his hands off beautiful women. Songs like Send fi mi army finds Kartel spitting street venom over hardcore Dance-hall beats. Not to be a one denominational artist Kartel makes music about relationships, love, struggle and trendy topics like on the song titled Straight up Jeans and fitted. Now if you are not familiar to Dance-hall music these songs would be perfect for you. They will serve as an introduction to the musical genre.
       Now as far as the skin bleaching- he has admitted to doing so. But he said it has nothing to do with him not liking being a black-man or ashamed of his race. He said simply being a dark skinned brother ''I wanted my tattoos to show better''. He continues to say that his skin bleaching is only art. He also added that he was everything that the Jamaican streets is and that mean a number of things. Jamaica and Africa has a huge population of people bleaching their skin everyday- only in some parts of the world people are alienated to this fact. Knowing young impressionable teenagers listens to his music. He said he don't wanna be the go to guy when it comes to religion, cultural issues and politics. "I'm just an entertainer and if you look to me to cultivate your child's mind then you are a bad parent".

    All in all I think he's right. Art shouldn't be kept in a box. I always said that music is one of the last places where racism and hateful comments are the norms. Even if we as fans hate the fact that he changed his appearance, we shouldn't make ignorant comments about ourselves in front of the world. Oh yeah I almost forgot, check out his new single and video titled Colouring book @ ill-board.com. It's about his skin and it slightly touches on the controversy. Way to capitalize off yourself! Now that's a business mind at work. Until next time have some fun and get something done.