"Gay Look" for Kartel?

So as we continue to watch the entertainment circles particularly the man of the year so far Vybz Kartel we now see a kind of backlash taking place towards Mr. Kartel's new image as of late, he has certainly become the artist we so love to hate yet his music blares from taxis minibuses and every other public music spot where dancehall throbs. I have been commenting and some of you have agreed that the metrosexual craze has helped to soften some of the stigma towards perceived aesthetics associated with male homosexuality and the ever more public homo-thug/DL phenomenon. Clearly as the comments begin to fly towards Kartel and the new pic as shown above the association to him being a battyman is as real as they come. Some persons compare him to following Michael Jackson stance on always tweaking his public persona and image as Vybz aka Adija Palmer speaks of Vybz Kartel in the third person when doing interviews. He has said he will continue to do things his way as outrageous, outlandish and unpredictable as they become to hold true to the Vybz Kartel persona reportedly said to IRIEFM.

to the Star News he has been reported as saying "Once again, the unpredictable Kartel changes his style again. And I have no doubt that my recent image alteration will have the marionettes dangling yet again from my control." He went on to say about sections of the public reacting "Don't know and don't care. Gazans love it and that's all that counts."

But he has a credibility problem in my book, not that persons aren't free to change their minds but he has put out material before against bleaching or as in his case skin lightening as he has not admitted to actually bleaching.

Also see: Vybz Kartel ...... King of the rub from my sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch

Questions are popping up on dancehall forums everywhere such as:

Is his hair extension an attempt to follow the Michael Jackson trend since MJ was also an idol if his?

Will his nose be next?

Is all this bizarre attempts to get attention and stay in the limelight?

other negative and supportive comments go straight to the point:

" ........ the man look like real batty bwoy....."

"Faggot coming out of his closet"

"Poppy show"

"He sure says "Vybz Kartel" alot"

"Kartel a aunty man"

"I like de man music but him start do tings only faggot do ... we want the olf Kartel back"

"............this artist is a disgrace for Jamaican dancehall............"

"...............most of his music is good but him rude dutty bwoy............"

"Mavado rules and is normal"

".............him a look fo battyman attention.............."

"Kartel is a gay bowcat hope de worl can see it now"

"Badmind grudgeful mind yuh onwn buzniz"

"Kartel a real battyman"

"Harry Toddler and Elephant Man have been doing it for years how we nuh call dem faggot too?"

too quote a few.

That last comment however struck me and sometimes we forget the past or have convenient memories, both named artists indeed have been sporting tight clothes/jeans, bleached hair and faces for sometime off and on during the years or entertainment but they too have gotten some flack for carrying that kind of aesthetic with their public persona.

It was in October 2009 that the Elephant was called a "Fish" by another artist. Let's watch this folks I feel the issues may have a direct impact on our homophobic culture sooner rather than later with results more larger than just passive metrosexuality.

Peace and tolerance

H