In a powerful and deeply personal interview with Ebro Darden on Hot 97, Jamaican dancehall legend Vybz Kartel reflected on some of the most defining—and controversial—moments of his life, including his past decision to bleach his skin, his ongoing health struggles, and his dreams for the future.
“I Would Never Bleach Again” – Vybz Kartel on Self-Love and Growth
During the interview, Kartel opened up about his skin-bleaching past—a topic that has long sparked debate across the Caribbean and beyond. The artist, known for hits like “Fever” and “Summertime,” candidly admitted that his decision to lighten his skin was rooted in deeper emotional issues tied to self-love.
“I mean, in hindsight it definitely had to do with self-love,” Kartel said. “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 got a lot of tattoos. But looking back, it was just as a Black man, sometimes we have those issues.”
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Now, after years of introspection and transformation, the 48-year-old icon says he’s embracing his full identity:
“I would never bleach again though. I’m fully melanated.”
A Healthier Lifestyle and a New Love
Having spent 13 years behind bars, Kartel is re-emerging with a new perspective on life, health, and love. He revealed that since his release, he has cut down significantly on smoking and drinking, habits he once leaned on heavily to cope with the transition back into freedom.
“I analyse myself a lot of times, and I think the heavy drinking and smoking when I came out was just my crutch. You got to try to cope. I’ve been in prison for 13 years; I’m out now. The world is bigger — it’s a lot.”
“I want some Turkish children,” he joked, adding a lighthearted moment to the otherwise deep conversation.
Battling Graves’ Disease
Despite his optimistic tone, Kartel also opened up about ongoing health challenges. He revealed he’s currently living with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid and causes a range of symptoms.
“Sometimes it makes my eyes puffy, and initially I used to lose a lot of weight too because it makes you sweat,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Kartel remains focused and determined to make the most of his second chance.
A Historic Comeback on U.S. Soil
To mark this new chapter, Vybz Kartel is preparing to headline his first U.S. concert in over 20 years this weekend at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York. The event is already generating major buzz, as fans eagerly await the return of one of dancehall’s most influential voices