Vybz Kartel hates me, says Popcaan

Vybz Kartel

Dancehall artiste Popcaan recently told BBC 1XTRA that he is hated by mentor Vybz Kartel due to his mainstream success.

According to the deejay, who claimed that he loved Vybz Kartel the most during his performance at Sting 2012, the dancehall space is filled with jealousy, and envy.

"Dancehall artistes don't like the ones who are progressive. When you are on a low level, you have the most friends in music. When you going up, you have less friends, and I learnt that a long time ago," he said. "Since I have been around Vybz Kartel, a lot of people used to hate Vybz Kartel, but he stayed on top. I learn that lesson from him and that is why he, Vybz Kartel, hates Popcaan today. I will forever be on top ... because I learn that from him."

 TRYING TO FEED THEiR FAMILIES

The Billboard-charting/MOBO Award winner also said it is unfortunate to see the large amount of hate that has been levelled against dancehall artistes who are simply trying to feed their families through hard work.

Popcaan

"One artiste can contribute to 50 per cent of dancehall and if that person hates you that is a problem. Me as a man from my humble beginnings, who grow with my granny ... man come from bush, real bush, from nothing. All I try to do is take care of my family, and people have a problem with that. It is not my job to tell people what to say or how to live. So it's nobody's job to tell Popcaan how to live," Popcaan said.

However, it would appear that Kartel is not the only person disgruntled with Popcaan. Fellow incarcerated dancehall artiste Shawn Storm recently released a diss song called No Frauds targeting the deejay.

When contacted, a member of Shawn Storm's management team, who requested to remain anonymous, told THE STAR that the song was intended to address Popcaan's alleged disloyalty to Kartel and Storm.

"From Shawn and Vybz Kartel have been incarcerated, I don't think he has visited them even one time or check with their family. Remember that after everybody left Gaza it was only Popcaan, Gaza Slim, Shawn Storm and Vybz Kartel. Popcaan is acting like they never existed. I want you to please note that this song was recorded long time, but we just decided to release it because it's timely," she said, making it clear that Storm hasn't been recording behind bars.

She said the song is not about war, but rather to remind Popcaan where he is coming from.

Popcaan was unavailable for a comment. Several calls to his phone went unanswered.

Source: The Star

Popccan Pleads guilty for using Hennessy bottle to hit police officer in the face

Dancehall star Andre 'Popcaan' Sutherland was yesterday fined for assaulting a police officer at the Norman Manley International Airport in 2013.

The artiste, who is also known as 'Poppi', was fined $25,000 or six months' imprisonment, after pleading guilty to the charge in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court. Popcaan was represented by Bert Samuels.

Samuels had asked the court for the charge not to be a part of his client's permanent record or it may affect his ability to travel.

"The court was told that we wish to go to mediation on the matter. The police officer was asked if he wished to mediate and he agreed," Samuels told THE WEEKEND STAR.

He noted that mediation was one of the ways to avoid a person getting a record against their name.

Allegations were that on November 24, 2013, Popcaan was preparing to leave the island when he was stopped by the police who requested a search of his luggage. The entertainer refused to be searched and became boisterous, using expletives to the officers.

During the dispute, the 'unruly' deejay was accused of using a Hennessy bottle to hit one of the policemen in the face, causing a wound. The deejay was later charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Source: THE WEEKEND STAR

Popcaan shoots music video with rapper, Pusha T; takes Vanity Fair spotlight

Popcaa and Diplo from Vanity Fair

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.

After Guyana concert and Sting, Popcaan heads to Zimbabwe

Dancehall artiste, Popcaan, has a very busy season ahead as he prepares to debut recently shot music videos, fulfills engagements both overseas and at home, while putting in some quality time in studio on his first album project.

The artiste, who has made the Caribbean his home this year, will quite appropriately spend Christmas in Guyana where he is scheduled to perform on December 25. With many of his songs doing exceptionally well on that mainland territory, Popcaan is definitely the ‘Ravin’ King’ in Guyana, a country which holds a special place in his heart.

 “The people are so friendly ….it feels just like home. The fans there have a special place in their heart for me,” he said as he pulled out his brightest smile.

Of course, fans at home will not be left out and Papi, as he is affectionately called, is set to make a supreme performance on what is dubbed the greatest one-night reggae/dancehall show on earth – Sting. The annual December 26 treat is shaping up to be quite an occasion this year and Popcaan is good and ready. He has an arsenal of hit songs, old and current, which cater to both the girls who love to gyrate and his 'rude bwoy' fans who see Popcaan as their role model and mentor.

Known in some quarters as the Gaza Prefect, Papi has matured significantly during this year, and with his ever-expanding stature as an artiste, he defies being pigeon-holed, but reiterates that his loyalty remains unchanged. For him, Sting will not be a showdown in any shape or form, it will simply present a chance for the artiste to show his mettle and thrill his fans on a show that has the reputation of catering to patrons who are “hard to please”.

“We have the songs and we have the package and I am looking forward to performing on Sting 2012,” Popcaan declared.

Right after Sting, Papi will pack his bags and head out to Zimbabwe, where reggae legend Bob Marley and the Wailers performed  in April 1980 at the official Independence Ceremony, at the invitation of the newly elected president Robert Mugabe. Many reggae acts have since performed in Zimbabwe and Popcaan has every intention of being a great musical ambassador as rings in the New Year with his first performance on African soil.

POPCAAN POPPING WITH ENERGY

Sold-out tours, hot new singles and intense adoration from his fans are the elements that have combined to keep acclaimed entertainer, Popcaan a main contender in the fiery furnace of dancehall juggling. Not only has he come to terms with a lot of the drama that surrounded his meteoric rise in the dancehall, Popcaan is intent on making it work for him.

Positioned as an artiste whose versatility sees him locking the town with ultra bad bwoy lyrics, while at the same time playing the role of the ultimate ladies man, as he belts out “Mi a the only man she want”, Popcaan is certainly enjoying the best of both worlds. It is little wonder that 2012 has seen him hitch his wagon to a star as he traverses the globe -- Europe, the Caribbean and Canada -- representing for dancehall as one of Jamaica’s proudest ambassadors.

“The response from countries outside of Jamaica has been awesome,” Popcaan says, still sounding a bit dazed by it all. “When I go to the Caribbean, the fans there know every song word-for-word. They expect to hear all the songs in my catalogue and they don’t want one verse either, they demand the entire song… and I am only too happy to sing it all for them,” declares the MOBO nominated artiste.

Papi, as he is affectionately called, has already visited the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago twice for this year, and he is headed for Tobago again this weekend. He also recently returned from Europe where, according to reports, the response to Popcaan is nothing short of “ridiculous”. He toured Europe in June and, based on the resounding success of that trip, he returned early in November, which saw him doing cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Orleans, Amsterdam, Helsinki and Rome. Songs like “Ravin,” “Party Shot", “Only Man She Want” and especially "Get Gal Easy" and "The System" were definite crowd-pleasers and, with his developing skills, Popcaan has been mixing in the newer songs with the blockbusters and leaving  his fans satisfied with hour-long performances.

And, although the demand for him overseas has spiked, Popcaan remains true to his local fan base, giving a dazzling performance at the Arthur Guinness show held in October. “Home is really where the heart is. I love to perform for fans outside of Jamaica and I enjoy the fact that music has the power to unite people of different cultures, but there is nowhere like home,” the man who earned the title, Gaza Prefect stated.

Among his more recent offerings are "Food Haffi Run", which peaked at number one in the UK and which is getting quite a bit of love locally, and So We Do It, for which he is in the process of shooting the video. 

Booked solid for the upcoming festive season, which includes Sting and a concert in Colombia (South America) where he will be opening for Shaggy, Popcaan will also be busy in studio working on his debut album.

“We have assembled a team of producers and I am really excited about this album project. It’s my first, so it will definitely be something to talk about,” stated the man who the UK-based BB Radio 1Xtra chose as one of their 'Hot 20 for 2012’. 

Popcaan speaks out regarding 'Gaza' status and relationship with Vybz Kartel

Kingston, Jamaica - After weeks of silence and a plethora of rumors that have infiltrated Dancehall circles, internationally acclaimed Dancehall superstar, Popcaan has finally spoken out; addressing every topic of speculation that his name has been involved in in recent times.

With the Portmore Empire officially disbanding last month and fellow ex-member of the group, Tommy Lee stating during an interview on Friday that Popcaan was not a member of Kartel's newly formed PG13 stable, the Party Shot deejay has come forward to set the record straight amidst rumors of a falling out between himself and the self-professed Worl' Boss.

In a statement sent out to the media on Monday, Popcaan talked in detail about various topics, including his thoughts of the Portmore Empire's dissolution.
"The world already knows that my career was launched from the greatest dancehall school and business entity, The Portmore Empire/Adidjaheim Records led by Vybz Kartel. Since Vybz Kartel's incarceration in September 2011 I remained a loyal and contributing member of this unit until May 2012 when the Portmore Empire was dissolved," he said.

"Rumors started as early as September 2011 that I had left the Portmore Empire, this was not so. My actions in October 2011 were to seek booking representation as this very important function was no longer viable for me with the incarceration of the head of my management and booking company. To date I have no formal management or booking agreement and only since June 2012, with the dissolution of the Portmore Empire have I engaged the services of a lawyer to put these agreements in place."
"From September 2011 to present I have worked hard and stayed focused on my career with my main intention to make sure that the music from the Portmore Empire was being released and the brand remained in the forefront of the dancehall music industry. I feel that I did that to the best of my ability with the release of songs like Party Shot, Fry Yiy, Coolie Gal, Bad Mind, She A Gwaan Good, Nuh Sell Out and Step Like Dead and with performances all over the world."

Popcaan also talked about the reasoning behind him not being a part ofPG13 and even addressed So Unique Records head, Elvis 'Sounique' Redwood who he claims has been making several defamatory statements to the press since he declined to voice on one of Redwood's recent Aurora Skies Riddims.

On PG13, "Vybz Kartel has explained that with no negative intentions and with his blessing and the possibilities of working together in the future, he thinks I have shown where I can work with my own career and that he will form a unit named PG13 for upcoming artists and include two former Portmore Empire members."

Regarding Redwood, Popcaan intimated that, "Elvis Redwood has made it public that he is one of the producers working with PG 13 and he also keeps making defamatory statements about me. I know these are related to his disappointment because I did not voice on his 'Aurora Skies' Riddim and it did not pass Half Way Tree. Because of his reaction to this and the way he constantly refers negatively to me throughout the music industry and the media. My statement here is that I will never voice on any Riddim he produces."
"My main producers remain TJ Records, UIM Records, Young Vibez, ZJ Chrome, Not Nice Records and MixPak Records. I also record any riddims that I like by other producers."

Perhaps the most pressing issue that Popcaan addressed was his relationship with long time mentor, Vybz Kartel. For months, several Dancehall fans have queried why the Ravin' deejay has not visited Kartel since his incarceration last September.

Popcaan explained that he made several inquiries to law enforcement officials about visitation but to no avail while also stating that Vybz Kartel himself advised against such communication.
"Since his incarceration I have not visited Vybz Kartel, nor have any members of the Portmore Empire visited him to date. In September 2011 it was explained to us that only family members were allowed to visit at set times once a week. On several occasions when I enquired about visitations I was told that this was not advised. Later Vybz Kartel communicated through letters that I should focus on my career and stay away from the police. All our communication has been focused on updates on my career, my song releases and stage shows and general discussions as one would express in the present situation. Up until May 2012 when the Portmore Empire was dissolved we maintained a business relationship."

Nevertheless, Popcaan remains grateful to Kartel for creating vast opportuinities that he's managed to capitalize since joining the Portmore Empire.
"I am grateful and am loyal to Vybz Kartel for the opportunity of working with the Portmore Empire, for everything I learned from him about the music business, life, friendship and family. He is a brother, a father figure, "mi real chargie". He has influenced and will continue to influence my career as one of my favourite artists and from the day we met at the Chromatic party 'My Scheme' in Portmore in 2009 to collaborating on hits like Clarks, Hot Grabba, Never Fear Dem and other songs."

"I look forward to working again with Vybz Kartel and will be checking with producers to see what previously recorded material they may have that I can include on my album which I will start working on soon."
Popcaan also addressed rumors that Informer, a track done by Kartel and Tommy Lee was in no way aimed towards him.
"The song Informer was recorded by Vybz Kartel in August 2011 an added to by Tommy Lee in May 2012."

"These lyrics in no way pertain to me. To create friction and controversy, some persons have tried to dissect the song line by line but the fact remains that this song was not recorded about or toward me. Every word sang by Tommy Lee in this song could have been sung by me but this is the time for Tommy Lee to get the exposure and recognition from a collaboration with Vybz Kartel."

As for his status within the Gaza, Popcaan proclaimed, "I have never said and will never say I am not a part of Gaza. Gaza is my original home and foundation and I will always remain loyal to the Gaza."
"As I move forward and progress in the music industry I will use my success to bring forward other artistes like Vybz Kartel did for me and like Bounty Killer did for him."
"Unscrupulous persons have called me and my family members with threats on my life, my family’s lives and threats to bottle my performances. I will not focus on this as I remain committed to my music, my career and my fans. Thanks to everyone for all the messages of support and encouragement that keep coming to me from fans in the streets, the media, the music industry and all the social networks."

"I can only be myself and bring my own energy and vibes to the music industry, I remain the same fry yiy, hotskull, peppa skull, boil brain, popskull from 3 West Portmore dat Vybz Kartel buss to di world. Wi born unruly wid baay badness pack up all ova dat so…do remember…a di whole place a say fry yiy and the undisputed best mixtape of 2012, 'Yiy Change,' is still available for download at www.popcaanmusic.com. Listen for new music and look out for di fry yiy Ravin King coming to a city near you…big up di fans worldwide."

Source: outaroad