R&B singer India Arie has been accused to lightening her skin for the cover art for her new single “Cocoa Butter.”

The cover photo, seen above, shows a startlingly lighter Arie compared to previous photos of the singer. The whole controversy is especially shocking since Arie is famous for songs that convey pride in her appearance, like “Brown Skin” and “I Am Not My Hair.”

Arie’s people say her lighter appearance in the photo is due to camera flash and angle.

India responded to the controversy via Facebook:

Love to all #SoulBirdsWorldWide are you ready for this #SongVersation ?

Personally speaking! I’m happy to say I have NOT BLEACHED my skin LOL! ROTF at the thought.

1. I wouldn’t endanger my health that way

2. i’m so in love with myself I have no DESIRE to BLEACH myself. Lol

3. The GLOW you see IS (magnificent) lighting

4. THE LIGHT you see, Well thats all ME!!

Politically speaking racism/colorism in the black community is a MUUUUUUUCH larger #SongVersation #skinversaton

THAT I’d LOVE to “shed light on”..that conversation IS REAL, …let’s keep talking. #SongVersation #soulbirdsworldwide

Big love to ALL #soulbirdsworldwide

Read more at HuffingtonPost.com

 

Do you think India Arie intentionally lightened her skin for the “Cocoa Butter” artwork?

If if was an accident, should she have used another photo?

Sound off below!