Popcaan

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Popcaan
Popcaan at Summerjam Festival 2013
Popcaan at Summerjam Festival 2013
Background information
Birth nameAndrae Hugh Sutherland
Also known aspopcaan
Born (1988-07-19) 19 July 1988 (age 33)[1]
St. Thomas, Jamaica
OriginPortmore, Jamaica
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2007–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteofficialpopcaan.com

Andre Hugh Sutherland (born 19 July 1988), known professionally as Popcaan, is a Jamaican deejay, singer and songwriter from the parish of St. Thomas.

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 2014, Popcaan signed with Mixpak Records and released his debut studio album, Where We Come From. 2016 Popcaan signed with Canadian rapper Drake's record label OVO Sound and Warner Records. Popcaan's international singles include "Only Man She Want" (2011), "Everything Nice" (2014), "Ova Dweet" (2016), "El Chapo" (2017), and "Family" (2017). 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 Records, entitled Forever, was released on 20 July 2018.

Early life[]

Born in Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica, Sutherland grew up in Greater Portmore, Saint Catherine Parish.

Career[]

2007–10: Early career[]

In 2007, Popcaan approached Vybz Kartel at a local jam called "My Scheme" where Kartel recruited the young deejay 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 Vybz 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".

2010–13: Growing popularity[]

Popcaan's breakthrough came in 2010 with "Clarks", a collaboration with Kartel.[2] The success of the song caused a nationwide spike in sales of the British shoe.[3] In 2011, Popcaan received the Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Award for Best New Artist, and Collaboration of the Year for "Clarks", which also won Song of the Year (Dancehall).[4]

At the end of January 2012, Popcaan released a new mixtape, Chromatic presents 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".[5]

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.[6]

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.[7] In 2013, Popcaan released the video for "Unruly Rave", which was shot in Toronto and directed by October's Very Own label head Niko.[8]

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.[9][10] It entered the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart at number 2, and the video gained over 5 million views on YouTube.[9]

In June 2014, Popcaan first appeared on the cover of The Fader in its 92nd issue.[11] He featured on Melissa Steel's "Kisses for Breakfast" single, which was a top ten hit in the UK in August 2014.[12][13]

In September 2014 he was nominated for a MOBO Award in the Best Reggae Act category, his fourth consecutive nomination.[14] He won the MOBO Award in 2015 and 2016.[15]

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 duo AlunaGeorge's single "I'm in Control".[16] 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.[17]

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.[18]

In March 2017, Popcaan performed guest vocals for the Gorillaz track "Saturnz Barz" off of the album Humanz.[19] The track reached number five on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart.[20] He also spent time in Europe as the opening act on Drake's Boy Meets World Tour.[21]

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".[22] The album was released on 20 July, premiered on a live stream hosted by Boiler Room.[23] Popcaan headlined Reggae Sumfest the following day.[24] Forever entered the Billboard Reggae Albums chart at number 2.[25]

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.[26] Popcaan's fourth album, Fixtape, was released on 7 August 2020. It includes the Drake collaborations "All I Need" and "Twist & Turn" featuring Partynextdoor.[27] On 16 October 2020, Popcaan joined forces with OVO affiliate Preme for their Link Up EP, which featured Wiz Khalfia, Davido, BEAM and French Montana.[28]

Discography[]

Albums[]

Extended plays[]

  • Link Up (with Preme) (2020) [28]
  • Gyalentine's (2021)

Mixtapes[]

  • Hot Skull, Fry Yiy, Boil Brainz (2010)
  • Yiy Change Mixtape (2012)

Featured singles[]

Year Song Artist Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS BEL
(WA) 		DEN FRA IRE NED SCO UK
2012 "Lighters Up" Snoop Lion — — — — — — — 195
2014 "Kisses for Breakfast" Melissa Steel — — — — — — 15 10
2015 "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)" Jamie xx 90 85 — — — — — 115
2016 "I'm in Control" AlunaGeorge 64 32 32 57 60 50 35 39
"Should've Been Me" Naughty Boy — — — — 61 — 47 61
2017 "Saturnz Barz" Gorillaz — — — 114 88 — — 87
"One You Love" Ivy Layne — — — — — — — —
"Times Tickin" Giggs — — — — — — — —
"You Ain't Mine" Kyla — — — — — — — —
"Say a Prayer" Tieks — — — — — — 98 —
2018 "Comfort You" Willie XO — — — — — — — 100
2019 "Risky" Davido
"Can't Hold We Down" Kano
2020 "Avengers" Loski
"Nobody's Love" (Remix) Maroon 5

Music videos[]

Song Year Director
"Dream" 2010 Roadblock Films
"Clean" 2011 Roadblock Films
"Only Man She Want" 2011 Roadblock Films
"Ravin" 2011 DJ Lee
"Party Shot" 2012 Mykal Cushnie
"Fry Yiy" (viral video) 2012 Roadblock Films
"The System" 2012 Dayo
"Girls Medley" 2012 Jay Will
"Unruly Rave" 2013 Niko
"So We Do It" 2013 Andy Capper
"Violate" (featuring Samini) 2014 Highgrade Music
"Everything Nice" 2014 Jay Will
"Love Yuh Bad" 2015 Nile Saulter
"Rup Rup (Bad Inna Real Life)" 2015 Steezy
"Unruly Prayer" 2015 RD Studios
"Way Up" 2015 RD Studios
"Dem Wa Fi Know" 2015 Focus Creeps
"Ova Dweet" 2016 RD Studios
"Wicked Man Ting" 2016 Unruly Enteraniment
"Please Forgive Me" 2016 Anthony Mandler
"Saturnz Barz (Gorillaz)" 2017 Jamie Hewlett
"El Chapo" 2017 RD Studios
"Wine for me" 2018 Mixpak
"Firm and Strong" 2019 Mixpak
"Silence" 2019 Mixpak

Filmography[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Popcaan Biography".
  2. ^ "Official Video Vybz Kartel ft Popcaan &Gaza Slim – Clarks", Dancehall Madness, 30 March 2010
  3. ^ "Vybz Kartel rap leads to booming Clarks shoes sales in Jamaica". Metro.co.uk. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  4. ^ "Kartel takes home four awards Archived 14 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine", Jamaica Observer, 13 March 2011, retrieved 10 June 2011
  5. ^ Caramanica, Jon (13 April 2012) achata Royalty, Long-Haul Rapper, Australian Brats. New York Times
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Popcaan teams up with Drake". Jamaica Star. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  8. ^ "LargeUp News: Is Drake Behind Popcaan's New 'Unruly Rave' Video?". OkayPlayer. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Jackson, Kevin (2014) "A New Day for Popcaan", Jamaica Observer, 29 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2014
  10. ^ Popcaan – Everything Nice Out Now! mixpakrecords.com. 1 October 2013
  11. ^ "Cover Story: Popcaan Is Making Dancehall Nice Again". The FADER. The FADER. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Chart UK Top 40 – 9th August 2014", Official Charts Company, 3 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014
  13. ^ Jackson, Kevin (2014) "Loving 'Popcaan's breakfast in Britain", Jamaica Observer, 5 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014
  14. ^ Jackson, Kevin (2014) "5 For MOBO Reggae", Jamaica Observer, 24 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014
  15. ^ Jackson, Kevin (2015) "Popcaan is king of the MOBOs", Jamaica Observer, 6 November 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ Lilah, Rose (3 May 2016). "My Favorite Things, Part II". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  18. ^ "Mixpak win Culture Clash London 2016!". Red Bull. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  19. ^ "Watch Gorillaz's Video for New Song "Saturnz Barz" With Popcaan". Pitchfork. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Gorillaz Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  21. ^ "Popcaan Officially Joins Drake on 'More Life' Tour". DancehallHipHop. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  22. ^ Hussein, Wandera. "Popcaan shares two new singles "Wine For Me" and "Firm & Strong"". The Fader. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  23. ^ "Popcaan Live Boiler Room Kingston".
  24. ^ "Reggae Sumfest | Our Music, Our Festival".
  25. ^ Jackson, Kevin (2018) "Popcaan's Forever debuts at two", Jamaica Observer, 31 July 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018
  26. ^ "Popcaan's 'Vanquish' Mixtape Out Now On Drake's OVO Sound". DancehallMag.
  27. ^ "FIXTAPE TONIGHT". 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020 – via Popcaan Music on Twitter (confirmed account).
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b "Popcaan, Preme 'Link Up' EP Album Review". DancehallMag. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  29. ^ Welsh, April Claire (11 May 2018). "Popcaan announces new album Forever, shares first single 'Body So Good'". Fact. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  30. ^ "Popcaan Releases New Mixtape Vanquish: Listen". Pitchfork.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Certified Awards Search" (To access, enter the search parameter "Popcaan"). British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  32. ^ "American single certifications – Jamie xx – I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 March 2021.

External links[]

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