Popcaan

Andrae Hugh Sutherland (born 19 July 1988), known professionally as Popcaan, is a Jamaican singer.

Popcaan
Popcaan performing at Summerjam in 2013
Popcaan performing at Summerjam in 2013
Background information
Birth nameAndrae Hugh Sutherland
Born (1988-07-19) 19 July 1988[1]
Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica
OriginPortmore, Jamaica
GenresDancehall[2]
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2007–present
Labels
Websiteofficialpopcaan.com

In 2008, Popcaan joined Vybz Kartel's Gaza Music Empire. In 2010, he released his breakthrough international hit "Clarks" with Kartel, an ode to the popular shoe brand.

In 2013, Popcaan signed with Mixpak Records and released his debut studio album, Where We Come From. In 2016, Popcaan signed with Canadian rapper Drake's record label OVO Sound and Warner Records. Popcaan's international singles include "Only Man She Want", "Everything Nice", "Ova Dweet", "El Chapo", and "Family". Popcaan made his acting debut in the film The Intent 2: The Come Up (2018).

Popcaan has collaborated with a number of international artists, most notably Drake, Jamie xx, Pusha T, Giggs, Matoma, Wale, Gorillaz, and Davido.

His second album for Mixpak, entitled Forever, was released on 20 July 2018.

Early life

Sutherland was born in Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica, and grew up in Portmore. He was raised in a housing scheme, or housing project, known as Gangsta City. He describes his childhood as "rough",[3] having to stop attending school due to the street drama surrounding his town. His stage name "Popcaan" was bestowed on him by his close friend Scumpy, who died to street violence in Portmore.[4]

Career

2007–2010: Early career

In 2007, Popcaan approached Vybz Kartel at a local jam called "My Scheme" where Kartel recruited him to his Portmore Empire music group, becoming both a producer and mentor. Besides showing Popcaan the ropes of the music game, Kartel took him on major shows like Sting and Reggae Sumfest.

Popcaan began making music for Adidjaheim Productions with then-in-house producer NotNice, the first person to voice him professionally. He got off to a strong start with "Gal Wine" on the Gal Farm riddim, "Clarks" featuring Kartel, Popcaan, and Gaza Slim and more following up with early hits including "It Nuh Work So", "Jah Jah Protect Me", "Gangsta City", "Dream", "Gangsta City Part Second", and "Hot Grabba".

2010–2013: Growing popularity

Popcaan's breakthrough came in 2010 with "Clarks", a collaboration with Vybz Kartel.[5] The success of the song caused a nationwide spike in sales of the British shoe.[6] In 2011, Popcaan received the Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Award for Best New Artist — Male and Collaboration of the Year for "Clarks", which also won Song of the Year — Dancehall.[7]

At the end of January 2012, Popcaan released a new mixtape, Yiy Change, the follow-up to his 2010 mixtape Hot Skull, Fry Yiy, Boil Brainz. In March, "Only Man She Want" gave Popcaan his first Billboard entry at No. 89 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was later officially remixed by rapper Busta Rhymes.

Popcaan was also featured in The New York Times speaking on the growing impact of "Only Man She Want".[8]

At the Youth View Awards, Popcaan won three awards: Favourite Summer Song and Local Chart-Topping Song of the Year for "Ravin", and Young, Hot and Hype Male of the Year.[9]

Popcaan has toured the world since, in Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean and South American region. While in Canada, Popcaan connected with Canadian rapper Drake, who has publicly expressed his admiration.[10] In 2013, Popcaan released the video for "Unruly Rave", which was shot in Toronto, Ontario, and directed by October's Very Own label head Niko.[11]

In 2012, Popcaan was featured on Pusha T's song "Blocka". His voice was then sampled by Kanye West on Yeezus in 2013.

2014–present: Where We Come From, Forever and subsequent fame

In 2014, Popcaan signed to Mixpak Records for a multi-record deal. His debut studio album, Where We Come From, was released on Mixpak on 10 June 2014. The project was executive produced by Dre Skull. The first single from the album, "Everything Nice", was produced by Dubbel Dutch and released on 1 October 2013.[12][13] It entered the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart at number 2, and the video gained over 5 million views on YouTube.[12]

In June 2014, Popcaan first appeared on the cover of The Fader in its 92nd issue.[14] He featured on Melissa Steel's single "Kisses for Breakfast", which was a top ten hit in the UK in August 2014.[15][16]

In September 2014, he was nominated for a MOBO Award in the Best Reggae Act category, his fourth consecutive nomination.[17] He won the MOBO Award in 2015 and 2016.[18]

In May 2015, Popcaan was featured on Jamie xx's "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)" with American rapper Young Thug.

In January 2016, Popcaan was featured on English electronic music duo AlunaGeorge's single "I'm in Control".[19] On 29 March 2016, a song entitled "Controlla" by Drake was leaked, with Popcaan being featured on it. A version without Popcaan was later featured on Drake's fourth studio album Views.

On 28 April 2016, Popcaan released the single "Ova Dweet", which gained popularity both in Jamaica and abroad.

On 2 May 2016, Popcaan was reportedly held by police after a performance in Antigua involving an altercation with an officer on stage.[20]

In June 2016, Popcaan made his first UK appearance alongside Mixpak for the annual Red Bull Culture Clash and won the clash over Wiz Khalifa, Taylor Gang, Eskimo Dance, and UKG Allstars.[21]

In March 2017, Popcaan performed guest vocals for the Gorillaz track "Saturnz Barz" off of the album Humanz.[22] The track reached number five on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart.[23] He also spent time in Europe as the opening act on Drake's Boy Meets World Tour.[24]

Popcaan announced his second album Forever on 11 May 2018. It was preceded by the singles "Body So Good", "Wine for Me", and "Firm and Strong".[25] The album was released on 20 July and premiered on a live stream hosted by Boiler Room.[26] Popcaan headlined Reggae Sumfest the following day.[27] Forever entered the Billboard Reggae Albums chart at number 2.[28]

On 23 December 2018, Drake announced that Popcaan would be signed to OVO Sound and Warner Records. Popcaan's third album Vanquish, released on 19 December 2019, was the first project produced with OVO Sound.[29] Popcaan's fourth album, Fixtape, was released on 7 August 2020. It includes the Drake collaborations "All I Need" and "Twist & Turn" featuring PartyNextDoor.[30] On 16 October 2020, Popcaan joined forces with OVO affiliate Preme for their EP Link Up, which featured Wiz Khalfia, Davido, Beam, and French Montana.[31]

On 27 January 2023, Popcaan released his fourth album, Great Is He on OVO Sound. The album debuted on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart at number 3. [32]

Discography
Main article: Popcaan discography

Filmography

References
  1. "Popcaan Biography".
  2. "Popcaan Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  3. ""
  4. ""
  5. "Official Video Vybz Kartel ft Popcaan &Gaza Slim – Clarks", Dancehall Madness, 30 March 2010
  6. "Vybz Kartel rap leads to booming Clarks shoes sales in Jamaica". Metro.co.uk. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  7. "Kartel takes home four awards Archived 14 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine", Jamaica Observer, 13 March 2011, retrieved 10 June 2011
  8. Caramanica, Jon (13 April 2012) achata Royalty, Long-Haul Rapper, Australian Brats. New York Times
  9. Popcaan, Tifa win big at YVAs – Entertainment – Jamaica Star – 7 February 2012 Archived 17 July 2013 at archive.today. Jamaica Star (7 February 2012). Retrieved on 15 July 2013.
  10. "Popcaan teams up with Drake". Jamaica Star. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  11. "LargeUp News: Is Drake Behind Popcaan's New 'Unruly Rave' Video?". OkayPlayer. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  12. Jackson, Kevin (2014) "A New Day for Popcaan", Jamaica Observer, 29 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2014
  13. Popcaan – Everything Nice Out Now! mixpakrecords.com. 1 October 2013
  14. "Cover Story: Popcaan Is Making Dancehall Nice Again". The FADER. The FADER. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  15. "Official Singles Chart UK Top 40 – 9th August 2014", Official Charts Company, 3 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014
  16. Jackson, Kevin (2014) "Loving 'Popcaan's breakfast in Britain", Jamaica Observer, 5 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014
  17. Jackson, Kevin (2014) "5 For MOBO Reggae", Jamaica Observer, 24 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014
  18. Jackson, Kevin (2015) "Popcaan is king of the MOBOs", Jamaica Observer, 6 November 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015
  19. Sahim, Sarah (20 January 2016). "AlunaGeorge and Popcaan command attention on new single "I'm In Control" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  20. Lilah, Rose (3 May 2016). "My Favorite Things, Part II". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  21. "Mixpak win Culture Clash London 2016!". Red Bull. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  22. "Watch Gorillaz's Video for New Song "Saturnz Barz" With Popcaan". Pitchfork. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  23. "Gorillaz Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  24. "Popcaan Officially Joins Drake on 'More Life' Tour". DancehallHipHop. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  25. Hussein, Wandera. "Popcaan shares two new singles "Wine For Me" and "Firm & Strong"". The Fader. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  26. "Popcaan Live Boiler Room Kingston". YouTube.
  27. "Reggae Sumfest | Our Music, Our Festival".
  28. Jackson, Kevin (2018) "Popcaan's Forever debuts at two", Jamaica Observer, 31 July 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018
  29. "Popcaan's 'Vanquish' Mixtape Out Now On Drake's OVO Sound". DancehallMag.
  30. "FIXTAPE TONIGHT". 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020 – via Popcaan Music on Twitter (confirmed account).
  31. "Popcaan, Preme 'Link Up' EP Album Review". DancehallMag. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  32. Mallick, Dani (7 February 2023). "Popcaan's 'Great Is He' Debuts On Two Billboard Album Charts". DancehallMag. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
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