Working assiduously at turning
himself into an illustrious brand, while at the same time 'repping' for
dancehall music, Popcaan has made a smooth entrance into the world of rap 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.
