Scott Gries, Getty Images
The 'Ramping Shop' creator experienced a backlash from loyal supporters after rumors surfaced that the dancehall performer's physical change was a result of using cake soap, a kind of soap used throughout the West Indies to wash white clothes.
"This is my new image," he admits. "You can expect the unexpected. I feel comfortable with black people lightening their skin. They want a different look. It's tantamount to white people getting a sun tan."
Kartel, whose former dark-skinned complexion is displayed in the video for 'Yuh Love,' has recently endorsed the use of cake soap for the skin, although he has yet to admit what agent was used to drastically change his own skin pigment.
Dr. Dhiru Tanna, chairman of Blue Power Group limited, manufacturers of the popular Blue Bommer Cake Soap, has refuted claims that cake soap, also referred to as blue soap, has any lightening effects.
"Blue soap does not bleach," Dr. Tanna reveals. "It has no ingredients in it that damages the skin. If anybody is saying that it will discolour the skin or take off pigmentation that is absolutely not true."
Watch Vybz Kartel's 'Ramping Shop'
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