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| Popcaa and Diplo from Vanity Fair |
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| Popcann and Pusha T |
Working assiduously at
turning himself into an illustrious brand, while 'repping' for dancehall music,
Popcaan has made a smooth entrance into the world of rap music through a recent
collaboration with a popular American rapper.
The entertainer
recently wrapped up a video shoot with popular US rapper, Pusha T, who is
signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music label. Pusha T, who came to the fore
as one half of the duo, Clipse, was featured alongside Big Sean on Kanye’s
blockbuster single, “Mercy”, which went on to achieve platinum-selling status
this year. A musically astute artiste, Kanye sampled the high-pitched
vocals of Jamaican Fuzzy Jones, on “Mercy”. Jones was a popular song/dubplate
intro man during the 70’s and 80’s and with the huge success of Mercy, it isn’t
surprising that the G.O.O.D team have come to Jamaica for an original –
Popcaan.
Papi is featured on
Pusha T’s single “Blocka”, and the decision was taken to have the music video
shot on location in Jamaica using talented Los Angeles-based director, Orson
Whales. Interestingly, while Pusha T was in Jamaica, Popcaan introduced him to
all the main dancehall street parties, where Pusha T even got on the mic a few
times, much to the delight of his Jamaican fans.
It was quite a busy
period for Popcaan, as he also shot the video for the Dre Skull-produced
single, “So We Do It”, on the Kling Kling riddim. The video was directed by
"Vice" magazine editor and feature documentary filmmaker Andy Capper,
whose credits include the Snoop Dogg documentary "Reincarnated”.
“It’s all about
playing my part in ensuring that dancehall music lives on and it continues to
make a mark globally. Some people say that dancehall is dying, but we as
artistes know that it isn’t so,” Papi stated.
Meanwhile, the Ravin’
King quietly stole the spotlight recently, when highly-rated international
lifestyle magazine, Vanity Fair, featured Dancehall in its November Web
Exclusive entitled 'A Diary of Dancehall’.
While in Jamaica
working on new music, Vanity Fair travel correspondent, Diplo, who is also a
producer and DJ, documented what is described in the feature as “the
dancehall scene’s quirks and most influential progenitors, from Creep Chromatic
to Popcaan”. Diplo is no stranger to dancehall, having worked with many of
the biggest names in the genre and playing at many of the popular parties. He
revealed that Popcaan has been writing with him and Snoop Dogg (now Snoop Lion)
on an upcoming record for Snoop, and, although Diplo mentions several dancehall
heavyweights, it is Popcaan who he sees as the current flavor.
He noted, “The
music always moved forward; you can always anchor the sound on the shoulders of
the superstar the city put its money behind—which has shifted from the uptown,
say, Sean Paul, to the gully/garrison side, like with Bounty Killer and Mavado,
over the past 10 or so years. Vybz Kartel may be one of the most prolific
artists of all time …. but in 2012, the scene is owned by one artist, the next
in line to Vybz Portmore Empire/Gaza Crew: Popcaan.”
The magazine further
states that “in a music scene where controversy sells—and hype and drama are
the motivators behind a buzz—Popcaan has made a career out of the opposite. He
just makes music about pretty girls and having a good time partying. Still, his
distinctive high-pitched voice, distinct swagger, and up-to-the-minute street
vocabulary have enabled him to have a meteoric rise that hasn’t been seen in
years.”
This unsolicited,
kudos-filled, Vanity Fair feature is clearly a testament to Popcaan’s immense
talent, his ever-expanding caliber as an artiste and his fulfillment of the
expectations that have been heaped on him ever since he emerged on the
dancehall scene. Recognising the limitless possibilities associated with this
Vanity Fair endorsement, Popcaan is simply giving his slow, relaxed smile.
“Yes… I feel good
about the feature…it was unexpected, but it came at the right time. Thanks to
all those who made it happen,” Papi said.
