Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel has been called many names, good and bad, since his mainstream debut in 2002. However, a new nickname issued to him by a French publication may just take the cake.
French news agency, Le Monde recently did a feature piece, published on Monday, regarding Vybz Kartel and the growing skin bleaching epidemic in Jamaica. The title of the piece is amazingly titled, Le Clown White De Kingston, or when translated, The White Clown of Kingston.
The article, written by Arnaud Robert cites Kartel as the main reason for the growing skin whitening problem in Jamaica; implying that’s he led locals astray for quite a while now.
Arnaud Robert writes: “The skin whitening was already an epidemic in Jamaica for ten years. But the influence of Vybz Kartel has accelerated the trend. It made it even cooler” in his office in Kingston, the dermatologist Neil Persadsingh lists the side effects that users incur, including skin cancer. “Usually, it is rather the white people who are prone to this type of cancer. But skin-lightening creams, many of which contain mercury have increased the threat to black people, he said. The government is trying to respond. But the market is so big that when a product is banned, it reappeared a week later under another name. “
Robert claims that Kartel, who’s currently incarcerated on murder charges and obstruction of justice charges stemming from separate incidents last summer, triggered his own demise through misogynistic lyrical style; blaming the deejay’s Jamaican fan base for encouraging his behavior.
Read the full translation of the article.
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